Matthew 9:20

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a woman {G1135}, which was diseased with an issue of blood {G131} twelve {G1427} years {G2094}, came {G4334} behind {G3693} him, and touched {G680} the hem {G2899} of his {G846} garment {G2440}:

A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years approached him from behind and touched the tzitzit on his robe.

Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak.

And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment:

Commentary

Matthew 9:20 introduces a poignant moment within Jesus' ministry, highlighting His divine power and compassion. This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus' most remarkable healings, showcasing the desperate faith of a woman suffering for many years.

Context

This encounter occurs while Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus's daughter. The woman in question suffered from a chronic hemorrhage, described as an "issue of blood," for twelve long years. According to the Levitical law (Leviticus 15:25-27), her condition rendered her ritually unclean, making her an outcast from society and unable to participate fully in religious life. Her touch would defile anyone she came into contact with, leading to profound social isolation. Her act of coming "behind him" suggests a mixture of humility, desperation, and a profound belief that even a surreptitious touch would bring healing.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Faith: The woman's long-term suffering and social ostracization led her to a singular, desperate act of faith. She believed that merely touching Jesus' garment would be enough to cure her, demonstrating an extraordinary conviction in His divine power.
  • Jesus' Healing Power: This verse foreshadows the immediate and complete healing that follows, underscoring Jesus' authority over sickness and disease, a central aspect of His ministry.
  • Inclusivity and Compassion: Despite her ritual uncleanness, Jesus does not recoil from her touch. This act subtly challenges the rigid social and religious norms of the day, emphasizing Jesus' compassion and willingness to reach out to the marginalized and those considered "unclean."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "hem of his garment" translates the Greek word kraspedon (κράσπΡδον). In Jewish culture, this referred to the tassels or fringes (Hebrew: tzitzit) worn on the corners of outer garments, as commanded in Numbers 15:38-39 and Deuteronomy 22:12. These fringes served as a visual reminder of God's commandments and the wearer's covenant relationship with Him. By touching Jesus' kraspedon, the woman was not merely touching a piece of cloth but symbolically reaching out to His divine authority and the power of God manifested through Him.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that our faith, even if expressed in quiet desperation, can connect us to Jesus' transformative power. Like the woman, we can approach Jesus with our deepest needs, knowing that His compassion extends to all, regardless of our past, our perceived "uncleanliness," or the duration of our struggles. Her story, which continues in Matthew 9:21-22, teaches us the importance of persistent faith and the boundless grace available through Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 8:43

    And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

  • Luke 8:56

    And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

  • Matthew 14:36

    And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

  • Mark 6:56

    And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

  • Mark 5:25

    And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

  • Mark 5:43

    And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

  • Deuteronomy 22:12

    Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest [thyself].
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