Matthew 9:21

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

For {G1063} she said {G3004} within {G1722} herself {G1438}, If {G1437} I may {G680} but {G3440} touch {G680} his {G846} garment {G2440}, I shall be whole {G4982}.

For she said to herself, "If I can only touch his robe, I will be healed."

She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.”

for she said within herself, If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole.

Commentary

Matthew 9:21 KJV Commentary

Context of Matthew 9:21

This verse is part of the compelling narrative of the woman with an issue of blood, a profound demonstration of faith and Jesus' healing power. For twelve long years, this woman had suffered from a debilitating hemorrhage, a condition that rendered her ritually unclean under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:25). This not only caused immense physical pain but also profound social isolation, as she would have been an outcast, unable to fully participate in community life or temple worship. Having exhausted all her resources on physicians with no success (Mark 5:26), her situation was one of deep desperation, yet she held onto a flicker of hope.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Desperate but Active Faith: Her statement, "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole," reveals a profound and active faith. She did not seek an audience or a formal healing prayer; she believed that even the slightest physical connection to Jesus would transmit His power. This was not a passive hope but a bold conviction that drove her to push through the crowded street despite her condition and the social stigma attached to it.
  • Jesus' Unparalleled Power: The narrative highlights Jesus' divine power, which is so potent that it emanates from Him even without His explicit command or prior knowledge. The woman's touch causes power to go out from Him, demonstrating His inherent ability to heal and restore. This reinforces the understanding that Jesus is not just a prophet or healer, but the Son of God with all authority.
  • The Nature of "Wholeness": Her desire was not just for a physical cure, but for a complete restoration of her life, dignity, and religious standing. Her faith sought comprehensive healing—a return to a state of complete well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "whole" in this verse comes from the Greek word sozo (σῴζω). While frequently translated as "save" (as in salvation from sin), sozo also carries the meaning of being healed, preserved, or made well. In this context, it signifies not only her physical recovery but also implies a restoration to spiritual and social well-being. Jesus later affirms this broader sense when He tells her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."

Related Scriptures

  • The parallel accounts in Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48 provide more detailed narratives of this event, including Jesus' inquiry about who touched Him and His subsequent affirmation of the woman's faith.
  • This event powerfully underscores the importance of faith in receiving God's blessings, a theme seen in other healing miracles, such as the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:10) or the two blind men (Matthew 9:29), where Jesus often links healing directly to the recipient's faith.

Practical Application and Reflection

The woman's story in Matthew 9:21 offers powerful encouragement for believers today. It teaches us that:

  • Bold Faith is Rewarded: Even in our most desperate moments, approaching Jesus with a conviction that He can heal, restore, or save, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant the action, can lead to profound results.
  • Jesus' Compassion is Limitless: He is not only powerful but also deeply compassionate, discerning the needs of those who seek Him, even within a bustling crowd. His awareness of her touch shows His intimate knowledge of each individual.
  • Wholeness is God's Desire: God desires our complete well-being—physical, emotional, and spiritual. We are invited to bring all our brokenness to Him, trusting in His ability to make us truly "whole." This echoes the promise of abundant life that Jesus offers to those who believe.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 5:26

    And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

  • Mark 5:33

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

  • Luke 8:45

    And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched 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.

  • Acts 19:12

    So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
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