Mark 5:33

KJV

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the woman {G1135} fearing {G5399} and {G2532} trembling {G5141}, knowing {G1492} what {G3739} was done {G1096} in {G1909} her {G846}, came {G2064} and {G2532} fell down before {G4363} him {G846}, and {G2532} told {G2036} him {G846} all {G3956} the truth {G225}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The woman, frightened and trembling, because she knew what had happened to her, came and fell down in front of him and told him the whole truth.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.

American Standard Version

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:33 vividly portrays the dramatic moment when the woman, previously healed by secretly touching Jesus' garment, reveals herself. Overwhelmed by a mixture of fear, awe, and the realization that her healing was known, she approaches Jesus, prostrates herself, and courageously discloses the entire truth about her long-standing affliction and the miraculous cure she received. This pivotal confession underscores Jesus' divine knowledge and sets the stage for His public affirmation of her faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the larger narrative in [Mark 5](/mark/5 "Mark 5 - Miracles of Jesus"), which showcases Jesus' power over sickness, death, and demonic forces. It immediately follows Jesus' perceptive question, "Who touched My clothes?" ([Mark 5:30](/mark/5-30 "Mark 5:30 - Jesus' Awareness of Power")) and the disciples' bewildered response. The woman's public confession in [Mark 5:33](/mark/5-33 "Mark 5:33 - The Woman's Confession") serves as the climax of her personal story, transitioning from a clandestine act of faith to an open declaration, which is then met by Jesus' profound words of comfort and affirmation in [Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Jesus' Affirmation of Faith"). This encounter is strategically placed within the narrative of Jairus's daughter, creating a powerful interlude that highlights Jesus' immediate and personal engagement with individuals amidst larger events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The woman's condition—a twelve-year hemorrhage—rendered her ritually unclean according to [Levitical law](/leviticus/15-25 "Leviticus 15:25 - Law of Impurity"). This meant she was perpetually ostracized from public worship, social interaction, and even physical contact, as anything she touched would also become unclean. Her desperate act of touching Jesus' garment was a violation of these purity laws, carrying significant social and religious implications. Her "fearing and trembling" was not merely a personal emotional response but also a reflection of the societal shame, potential condemnation, and the profound awe of encountering divine power in a context where her actions could be perceived as transgressive. Jesus' public interaction with her, far from condemning her, radically subverted these cultural norms, demonstrating a divine compassion that transcended human legalism and social stigma.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 5:33 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. It powerfully illustrates **Jesus' Omniscience and Authority**, as He not only knows that power has gone out from Him ([Mark 5:30](/mark/5-30 "Mark 5:30 - Jesus' Awareness")) but also understands the woman's full condition and the "truth" of her healing before she speaks. The woman's reaction highlights the theme of **Reverential Fear and Awe** in the presence of the divine, a common response to Jesus' miracles throughout the Gospels (e.g., [Mark 4:41](/mark/4-41 "Mark 4:41 - Disciples' Fear after Calming Storm")). Crucially, the verse emphasizes the **Power of Confession and Testimony**. Her public declaration, born of fear but leading to affirmation, transforms her secret healing into a public witness, foreshadowing the importance of open acknowledgment of faith in the Christian life. This act of "telling all the truth" also speaks to the theme of **Wholeness and Restoration**, not just physical healing but also social and spiritual reintegration through an encounter with Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fearing (Greek, _phobéō'_):** Derived from _phobos_, meaning "fear." This word signifies not merely being afraid, but often carries the connotation of awe, reverence, or dread in the presence of something powerful or divine. The woman's fear is multi-faceted: apprehension of being discovered, fear of potential rebuke for her "unclean" touch, and profound awe at the supernatural power she experienced. It's a fear that acknowledges the sacred.
* **trembling (Greek, _trémō'_):** This word describes a physical manifestation of intense emotion, a shaking or quivering, often accompanying fear or dread. Paired with "fearing," it emphasizes the woman's overwhelming emotional and physical response to the situation. It conveys her vulnerability and the profound impact of her encounter with Jesus' power and presence.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** From _alēthēs_, meaning "true." This term denotes reality, sincerity, and the absence of concealment. When the woman "told him all the truth," she was not merely recounting facts but making a full, unreserved disclosure of her suffering, her desperate act of faith, and the immediate, complete healing she received. It signifies an act of transparent honesty before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the woman fearing and trembling,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the woman's emotional state. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a shift from the disciples' confusion to the woman's internal struggle. Her "fearing and trembling" are visceral reactions, signifying a profound awe and apprehension, likely stemming from her awareness of her ritual impurity, her secret act, and the palpable divine power she had just experienced.
* **"knowing what was done in her,"**: This phrase highlights the woman's internal certainty. She "knew" (G1492, _eídō_) with absolute conviction that the healing had occurred and that it was a direct result of her touch. This knowledge was not speculative but an undeniable, transformative reality within her own body, confirming the power that had gone out from Jesus.
* **"came and fell down before him,"**: This describes her physical actions of approach and prostration. Despite her fear, she "came" (G2064, _érchomai_) forward, a courageous act of stepping out of anonymity. Her act of "falling down before him" (G4363, _prospíptō_) indicates profound reverence, submission, and perhaps supplication, typical of one acknowledging divine authority or seeking mercy. It is an act of worship and humility.
* **"and told him all the truth."**: This climactic clause reveals her full confession. The "truth" (G225, _alḗtheia_) she shared encompassed her twelve years of suffering, her desperation, her secret touch, and the immediate, complete healing. This was a complete, unvarnished disclosure, essential for her public affirmation and for the broader understanding of Jesus' power and compassion.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 5:33 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as the woman's "fearing and trembling" evokes deep sympathy and understanding from the reader, highlighting her vulnerability and the immense courage required for her public confession. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: Jesus already knows "what was done in her," yet He prompts her public confession. This is not because He needs information, but because *she* needs to speak the truth, and the crowd needs to hear it. Her act of "telling him all the truth" functions as a form of **Testimony**, transforming a private miracle into a public declaration of Jesus' power. Furthermore, her prostration before Jesus is a powerful act of **Symbolism**, representing not just physical humility but spiritual submission and worship in the face of divine authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The woman's confession in Mark 5:33 is a profound theological statement about the nature of faith and divine encounter. Her initial, secret act of faith, while effective for physical healing, was incomplete in terms of spiritual and social restoration. Jesus' gentle but firm insistence on her public confession reveals that true healing often requires a transparent acknowledgment of both our brokenness and God's restorative power. Her fear, though real, is overcome by the compulsion to speak the truth, demonstrating that authentic faith, even when accompanied by apprehension, leads to open declaration and deeper communion. This encounter highlights Jesus' desire not just for physical cures but for holistic transformation, drawing individuals out of isolation and into open relationship with Him.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience"): God's intimate knowledge of us, even before we speak, is a foundational truth echoed in Jesus' awareness of the woman's healing.
* [Luke 8:47](/luke/8-47 "Luke 8:47 - The Woman's Public Confession"): Luke's parallel account emphasizes her public confession "before all the people," highlighting the importance of her testimony.
* [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Salvation"): This passage underscores the theological principle that belief in the heart must be accompanied by confession with the mouth for salvation, paralleling the woman's journey from secret faith to public declaration.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The woman's journey from secret touch to public confession in Mark 5:33 offers a powerful blueprint for our own walk of faith. Her initial fear and trembling are relatable; often, we hesitate to fully expose our vulnerabilities, our past struggles, or even the miracles God has done in our lives, fearing judgment or misunderstanding. Yet, Jesus' compassionate drawing out of her story demonstrates His desire for us to step into the light, to own our experiences, and to publicly acknowledge His work. Her act of "telling him all the truth" is an invitation to radical transparency before God and, when appropriate, before others. This is where true, holistic healing often takes root—not just in the physical, but in the spiritual and emotional realms, as shame is replaced by affirmation and isolation by community. Our testimonies, like hers, are not just for our benefit but serve to glorify God and encourage others in their faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "secret" areas of your life, whether struggles or hidden acts of faith, might Jesus be inviting you to bring into the light?**
* **How does the woman's "fearing and trembling" resonate with your own experiences of encountering God's power or being called to step out in faith?**
* **In what ways might your public "truth-telling" (testimony) about God's work in your life bring greater wholeness to you and encouragement to others?**
* **How does Jesus' compassionate response to the woman's fear inform your understanding of His character and His desire for your complete restoration?**

### FAQ

**Why was the woman "fearing and trembling" if she had just been healed?**

Answer: The woman's fear was multifaceted. Firstly, she had violated strict [Levitical purity laws](/leviticus/15-25 "Leviticus 15:25 - Law of Impurity") by touching Jesus while ritually unclean. She likely feared condemnation or punishment for this transgression. Secondly, there was an element of profound awe and dread in encountering divine power. She had experienced a miracle, and the realization that Jesus knew exactly what had happened, even though she acted in secret, would have been overwhelming. Her trembling was a natural, visceral response to being exposed and standing in the presence of the Holy. Jesus' question, "Who touched My clothes?" ([Mark 5:30](/mark/5-30 "Mark 5:30 - Jesus' Awareness")), though gentle, was a direct call to accountability that brought her hidden act into the light.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:33, though a narrative of physical healing, profoundly points to Christ's ultimate work of spiritual salvation and restoration. The woman, living under the old covenant's strictures of ritual impurity, found herself perpetually isolated and defiled. Her desperate touch and subsequent public confession foreshadow the new covenant reality where access to God is no longer mediated by ritual purity but by faith in Jesus Christ. Her "fearing and trembling" gives way to a public declaration of "all the truth," echoing the call for believers to confess Jesus as Lord ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Salvation")). Jesus' knowing "what was done in her" without being told highlights His divine omniscience, a quality of the Son of God who knows the deepest secrets of the human heart ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")). Ultimately, her healing and public affirmation symbolize the complete spiritual wholeness and social reintegration offered through Christ's atoning work. He not only cleanses us from the defilement of sin but also draws us out of shame and isolation, inviting us into a bold, transparent relationship with God, where we can stand before Him, not in fear of condemnation, but in the truth of His redeeming grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 1:29

And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Psalms 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

Luke 8:47

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

Psalms 116:12

What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me?

Psalms 116:14

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

Luke 1:12

And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.