Mark 5:34

KJV

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto her {G846}, Daughter {G2364}, thy {G4675} faith {G4102} hath made {G4982} thee {G4571} whole {G4982}; go {G5217} in {G1519} peace {G1515}, and {G2532} be {G2468} whole {G5199} of {G575} thy {G4675} plague {G3148}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Daughter," he said to her, "your trust has healed you. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

Berean Standard Bible

“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:34 encapsulates Jesus' profound affirmation of the woman with the hemorrhage, declaring that her faith, not merely her physical touch, was the catalyst for her complete healing and peace, thereby restoring her dignity and demonstrating the holistic nature of His redemptive power. This pivotal statement culminates a dramatic encounter that showcases Jesus' compassion and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration by Jesus immediately follows a remarkable sequence of events. The woman, who had suffered for twelve years with a debilitating hemorrhage, had exhausted all her resources on doctors with no relief ([Mark 5:25-26](/mark/5-25-26 "Mark 5:25-26 - The Woman's Suffering")). Driven by desperate faith, she believed that simply touching the hem of Jesus' garment would make her well. The moment she did, she was instantly healed. Jesus, sensing that power had gone out from Him, stopped the crowd and asked, "Who touched My clothes?" Despite the disciples' confusion, He persisted. The woman, trembling with fear yet filled with hope, came forward and confessed everything that had happened. It is in response to her courageous confession and her desperate act of faith that Jesus speaks these profound words, bringing her healing into the light and affirming her publicly.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Under Mosaic Law, a woman with a perpetual flow of blood was considered ritually unclean ([Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Leviticus 15:25-27 - Laws Concerning Discharges")). This meant she was socially ostracized, unable to participate in religious life, and anything she touched or sat on would also become unclean. Her condition would have led to profound isolation, shame, and financial ruin from seeking countless cures. Jesus' public address to her as "Daughter" and His declaration of her wholeness not only healed her physically but also restored her social and religious standing, integrating her back into the community and affirming her inherent worth in a society that had marginalized her.

* **Key Themes:** The central message of this passage is the **power of active faith**, demonstrating that belief in Jesus' capacity to heal is essential and acts as a conduit for divine intervention ([Matthew 9:22](/matthew/9-22 "Matthew 9:22 - Jesus Heals the Woman with a Hemorrhage")). Jesus' **compassion and affirmation** are profoundly evident in His tender address and public commendation, which stands in stark contrast to the societal marginalization the woman experienced. The concept of **holistic wholeness** (Greek _sṓzō_) extends beyond mere physical cure to encompass spiritual salvation, emotional peace, and complete well-being, as evidenced by the command "go in peace" ([Luke 7:50](/luke/7-50 "Luke 7:50 - Jesus Forgives a Sinful Woman")). Finally, Jesus' **divine authority** over sickness, social stigma, and the power to grant comprehensive peace is powerfully demonstrated, highlighting His unique identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Daughter (Greek, _thygátēr_):** A term of endearment and familial affection. Jesus' use of "Daughter" signifies His profound tenderness and His recognition of her inherent worth, elevating her from a marginalized, ritually unclean individual to a beloved child. This compassionate address restores her dignity and identity in a public setting.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis_):** Refers to persuasion, credence, and moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. Here, it denotes her active trust and confident expectation in Jesus' power to heal, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a desperate, believing action. It is the spiritual conduit through which divine power flowed, making her receptive to God's grace.
* **whole (Greek, _sṓzō_):** Derived from a root meaning "safe," this verb means to save, deliver, or protect, encompassing physical healing, preservation, and spiritual salvation. In this context, it signifies not only the cessation of her physical ailment but also her complete restoration to health, well-being, and a state of spiritual peace and acceptance. This word carries a double meaning, pointing to both physical restoration and spiritual salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto her, Daughter":** Jesus' initial words are a profound act of personal recognition and tender compassion. By addressing her as "Daughter," Jesus not only acknowledges her humanity and vulnerability but also establishes a relational bond, offering comfort and dignity in a public setting where she might have expected rebuke or judgment. This term of endearment underscores His personal care.
* **"thy faith hath made thee whole":** This declaration clarifies the true source of her healing. It was not the magical properties of His garment, nor merely the physical touch, but her active, desperate, and believing **faith** in His power that served as the conduit for the divine intervention. The verb "made whole" (from _sṓzō_) signifies a complete and instantaneous restoration, not just physically but holistically, encompassing her entire being.
* **"go in peace":** This command extends beyond physical healing to encompass a profound inner tranquility and well-being. "Peace" (_eirḗnē_, akin to the Hebrew _shalom_) implies a state of comprehensive wellness, harmony, and reconciliation—with God, herself, and her community. It is a blessing that liberates her from the shame, fear, and isolation of her long-standing condition, granting her true rest.
* **"and be whole of thy plague":** This concluding phrase reiterates and confirms the completeness of her healing, specifically referencing the "plague" (_mástix_), her debilitating hemorrhage. The repetition of "whole" (here using _hygiḗs_, meaning healthy/sound) emphasizes the lasting and undeniable nature of her physical restoration, ensuring there is no doubt about the cessation of her long-term suffering and its associated burdens.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus' words in Mark 5:34 employ several powerful literary devices. The **Direct Address** of "Daughter" is a profound act of compassion and personal affirmation, immediately establishing a tender, familial tone that contrasts sharply with the woman's years of social ostracization. There is a strong sense of **Repetition and Emphasis** on the concept of "wholeness," first with _sṓzō_ ("hath made thee whole") and then with _hygiḗs_ ("be whole of thy plague"). This repetition underscores the comprehensive, certain, and holistic nature of the healing Jesus bestows, ensuring the audience understands that her restoration is total, encompassing both spiritual and physical dimensions. Furthermore, an implicit **Contrast** is drawn between the woman's years of suffering and financial ruin at the hands of doctors and the instantaneous, cost-free, and complete healing she receives through faith in Jesus, highlighting the unique and superior power of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The miracle in Mark 5:34 powerfully illustrates that true healing from Christ is often holistic, encompassing not only physical restoration but also spiritual salvation, emotional peace, and social reintegration. It underscores the active nature of faith—not as a work that earns healing, but as the receptive posture that allows God's power to flow. Jesus' compassionate response reveals His character as one who sees beyond outward appearances and social stigmas, valuing every individual. This encounter serves as a microcosm of the Gospel itself: humanity's desperate need met by divine grace through faith, leading to comprehensive restoration and peace. It affirms that God's desire is for our complete well-being.

* [Matthew 9:22](/matthew/9-22 "Matthew 9:22 - Jesus Heals the Woman with a Hemorrhage")
* [Luke 7:50](/luke/7-50 "Luke 7:50 - Jesus Forgives a Sinful Woman")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:34 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that our faith, no matter how small or desperate, can connect us to God's immense power. It challenges us to move beyond passive belief to an active, expectant trust in Jesus' ability and willingness to intervene in our lives. Just as Jesus saw and affirmed the woman, He sees our struggles and desires our complete well-being—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The "peace" He offers is not merely the absence of trouble but a profound inner tranquility and wholeness that transcends circumstances. This narrative also encourages us to approach Jesus with our deepest needs, even those we might consider shameful or private, trusting in His compassionate response and His desire to bring us into full restoration and peace. It calls us to live in the freedom and dignity that Christ's healing provides, embracing the holistic peace He offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of your life are you holding back from Jesus, perhaps out of shame or fear, that He desires to make "whole"?**
* **How does the woman's active faith challenge your own understanding of what it means to trust God, especially in seemingly impossible situations?**
* **Beyond physical healing, what kind of comprehensive "peace" (shalom) might Jesus be offering you today, and how can you embrace it?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask "Who touched me?" if He already knew?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not born of ignorance but of divine intention. He knew power had gone out from Him, and His inquiry served several crucial purposes. First, it compelled the woman to come forward and publicly confess her healing, transforming a private, fearful act into a public testimony of faith and God's power. This public affirmation restored her dignity and social standing, which had been lost due to her condition ([Mark 5:33](/mark/5-33 "Mark 5:33 - The Woman Confesses")). Second, it provided an opportunity for Jesus to teach His disciples and the surrounding crowd about the true nature of faith, emphasizing that it was her belief, not merely a magical touch, that resulted in her wholeness ([Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Jesus Commends Her Faith")). It highlighted that her healing was personal and relational, not accidental.

**What is the significance of Jesus calling her "Daughter"?**

Answer: In a society where women, especially those with chronic illnesses that rendered them ritually unclean, were often marginalized and isolated, Jesus' address of "Daughter" was revolutionary and deeply significant. It was a term of profound tenderness, affection, and familial belonging. It restored her dignity, affirmed her worth, and symbolically welcomed her back into the community and into God's family, transcending the societal and religious barriers that had excluded her ([Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Leviticus 15:25-27 - Laws Concerning Discharges")). This compassionate address highlights Jesus' radical inclusion, personal care for the outcast, and His desire to establish a relationship with those He heals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:34 beautifully prefigures the comprehensive salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The woman's "plague" (G3148, _mástix_) serves as a vivid metaphor for the pervasive sickness of sin that afflicts all humanity, causing spiritual uncleanness, isolation, and ultimately, death. Just as her desperate faith connected her to Jesus' healing power, so too does our faith in Christ connect us to His atoning work on the cross, which makes us truly "whole" (G4982, _sṓzō_). Jesus, the ultimate Lamb of God, bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows, taking upon Himself the "plague" of our sin ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs")). His declaration "thy faith hath made thee whole" anticipates the New Covenant reality where faith in Him brings not just physical restoration but spiritual redemption, reconciliation with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justified by Faith, We Have Peace")), and the profound "peace" (G1515, _eirḗnē_) that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). He is the one who truly takes away the "plague" of sin, offering eternal life and complete well-being to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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 8:48

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Luke 18:42

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

Mark 5:29

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of that plague.

Luke 17:19

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Acts 14:9

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,