Matthew 9:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} turned him about {G1994}, and {G2532} when he saw {G1492} her {G846}, he said {G2036}, Daughter {G2364}, be of good comfort {G2293}; thy {G4675} faith {G4102} hath made {G4982} thee {G4571} whole {G4982}. And {G2532} the woman {G1135} was made whole {G4982} from {G575} that {G1565} hour {G5610}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua turned, saw her and said, "Courage, daughter! Your trust has healed you." And she was instantly healed.

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take courage, daughter,” He said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was cured from that very hour.

American Standard Version

But Jesus turning and seeing her said, Daughter, be of good cheer; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:22 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He encounters and heals a woman who had suffered from a debilitating issue of blood for twelve years. Her desperate, yet faith-filled, act of touching the hem of His garment prompts Jesus to turn, acknowledge her, and declare that her faith has made her whole, resulting in her immediate and complete restoration. This verse powerfully illustrates Jesus' divine awareness, profound compassion, and the transformative power of genuine faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of miraculous healings and demonstrations of Jesus' authority in Matthew's Gospel, specifically following the healing of two blind men and a mute demon-possessed man in [Matthew 9:27-34](/matthew/9-27-34 "Matthew 9:27-34 - Healings of Blind and Mute"). Immediately prior to this event, Jesus is on His way to the house of Jairus, a synagogue ruler, whose daughter is dying ([Matthew 9:18-19](/matthew/9-18-19 "Matthew 9:18-19 - Jairus's Plea")). The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is recounted as an interlude or "sandwich" narrative within the story of Jairus's daughter, highlighting Jesus' constant availability and responsiveness to faith, even amidst other pressing engagements. This literary technique emphasizes Jesus' boundless power and compassion, capable of addressing multiple needs simultaneously.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The woman's condition, an "issue of blood," rendered her ritually unclean according to the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Leviticus 15:25-27 - Laws Concerning Uncleanness")). This uncleanness meant she was perpetually ostracized from society, unable to participate in religious worship, touch others, or be touched without defiling them. Her condition was not only physically debilitating but also socially isolating and economically ruinous, as she had spent all her money on physicians without relief. Her act of touching Jesus' garment was a desperate, yet courageous, breach of social and religious norms, driven by a profound belief in His power. Jesus' public affirmation and healing not only restored her physically but also socially and religiously, reintegrating her into community.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in this passage, and indeed throughout [Matthew 9](/matthew/9 "Matthew 9 - Jesus Heals and Calls"), is the **authority and compassion of Jesus**. He demonstrates His authority over sickness and spiritual forces, but always with a deep sense of empathy for human suffering. The **power of faith** is another paramount theme; the woman's healing is explicitly attributed to her faith, underscoring that belief is often the conduit through which divine power is accessed. This contrasts with the skepticism or lack of faith seen in other narratives. Furthermore, the narrative highlights **Jesus' holistic healing**, which extends beyond physical restoration to include social and spiritual wholeness, as seen in His tender address to her as "Daughter" and her immediate reintegration into society.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This term (G4102) signifies persuasion, credence, and moral conviction, particularly reliance upon Christ for salvation. In this context, it refers to the woman's profound trust and belief in Jesus' ability to heal her, a conviction so strong that she believed merely touching His garment would suffice. Her "faith" was not a passive hope but an active, desperate, and confident reliance on Jesus' power.
* **made...whole (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** The verb (G4982) means "to save, i.e., deliver or protect," and can be understood literally or figuratively. While often translated as "save" in a spiritual sense, here it encompasses physical healing, restoration, and deliverance. Jesus' declaration that her faith "made thee whole" implies a holistic restoration – not just physical healing from her affliction, but also a broader sense of well-being, including social and spiritual deliverance from the isolation and shame her condition imposed.
* **be of good comfort (Greek, _tharséō'_):** This imperative (G2293) means "to have courage" or "to take heart." Jesus' tender command to the woman is an affirmation that dispels any fear, shame, or guilt she might have felt for her secret, yet public, act. It is an invitation to embrace peace and confidence, acknowledging her brave step of faith and assuring her of His acceptance and approval.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jesus turned him about,"**: This indicates Jesus' immediate and intentional response. He was not merely passing by, but actively perceived the touch and sought out the one who initiated it, demonstrating His divine awareness even amidst a pressing crowd.
* **"and when he saw her, he said,"**: Jesus' act of seeing her is significant. He doesn't just feel the power leave Him; He identifies the person behind the touch, bringing her out of anonymity and into a personal encounter. His gaze is one of recognition and compassion.
* **"Daughter, be of good comfort;"**: This tender address "Daughter" is deeply significant. It conveys affection, care, and acceptance, elevating her from an anonymous, ritually unclean woman to a beloved child. The command "be of good comfort" (or "take heart") reassures her, dispelling any fear or shame she might have felt for her unconventional approach.
* **"thy faith hath made thee whole."**: This is the pivotal declaration. Jesus explicitly attributes her healing not to His power alone, but to the conduit of her faith. It underscores the active role of her belief and trust in receiving the miracle. The word "whole" (sṓzō) signifies a complete restoration, encompassing physical, social, and spiritual well-being.
* **"And the woman was made whole from that hour."**: This confirms the immediate and complete nature of her healing. It was not a gradual recovery but an instant, undeniable transformation, testifying to the supernatural power of Jesus and the efficacy of her faith. The phrase "from that hour" emphasizes the definitive and permanent nature of the miracle.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Direct Address** is prominent in Jesus' tender "Daughter," which immediately establishes a personal, intimate connection and conveys His profound compassion, elevating her from an anonymous sufferer to a beloved individual. The phrase "thy faith hath made thee whole" utilizes **Emphasis**, directly highlighting the crucial role of the woman's faith as the catalyst for her healing, rather than simply Jesus' power acting unilaterally. This creates a didactic point for the reader. There is also an element of **Irony** in the narrative: the woman, deemed ritually unclean and therefore forbidden to touch others, secretly touches Jesus, yet instead of defiling Him, she is made clean. This subverts conventional religious understanding and underscores Jesus' authority over ritual law. Finally, the **Symbolism** of the "issue of blood" can be seen as representing not only physical illness but also spiritual impurity and separation from God and community, making her "wholeness" a symbol of complete restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:22 profoundly illustrates the New Testament emphasis on faith as the primary means of connecting with God's redemptive power. It teaches that while God's power is absolute, His willingness to intervene often responds to the posture of human trust and belief. The woman's desperate act, born of conviction, demonstrates that genuine faith, even when expressed imperfectly or unconventionally, is seen and honored by Jesus. This passage also highlights Jesus' compassionate nature, His willingness to engage personally with those on the margins, and His power to bring holistic restoration—physical, social, and spiritual—to those who seek Him.

* [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "The Healing of the Woman with an Issue of Blood")
* [Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke's Account of the Woman's Healing")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "The Necessity of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful encounter in Matthew 9:22 serves as a timeless beacon of hope and a profound lesson in the nature of faith. The woman's story encourages us to approach Jesus with a similar desperate and unwavering trust, regardless of the duration or perceived incurability of our struggles. It reminds us that Jesus is not distant or unaware; He perceives our quietest cries, our most hidden pains, and our deepest longings, even amidst the clamor of life. His tender address "Daughter" assures us of His personal care and acceptance, inviting us to shed our shame and fear. We are called to believe that Jesus desires not just superficial relief but a complete and immediate wholeness that touches every facet of our being—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Her story is a testament that courageous faith, even a "touch" of it, can unlock divine power and lead to profound, life-altering transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "issue of blood" (long-standing pain, shame, or struggle) might I be carrying that I need to bring to Jesus with desperate faith?**
* **How does Jesus' awareness of the woman's touch, even in a crowd, encourage me about His personal attention to my needs?**
* **In what areas of my life am I seeking only partial relief, when Jesus desires to bring complete "wholeness" (sṓzō)?**
* **How can I cultivate a more courageous and active faith, like the woman's, that is willing to take bold steps to reach out to Jesus?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask who touched Him if He already knew?**

Answer: While Jesus certainly possessed divine knowledge and knew who touched Him, His question was not born of ignorance but served several crucial purposes. First, it brought the woman out of anonymity and into a public encounter, allowing her to confess her faith and experience public affirmation. This public acknowledgment was vital for her, as her condition had made her ritually unclean and socially ostracized according to [Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Laws Concerning Uncleanness"). Second, it provided a teaching moment for the disciples and the surrounding crowd, demonstrating the power of faith and Jesus' compassionate response to it. By having her step forward and share her story, Jesus ensured that the miracle was not just a private healing but a public testimony to His redemptive power and her courageous faith.

**Does this passage mean that healing is always guaranteed if one has enough faith?**

Answer: This passage powerfully demonstrates the connection between faith and healing, but it does not establish a universal guarantee that all physical ailments will be cured solely by faith. While the woman's faith was indeed the conduit for her healing, the Bible also presents instances where healing does not occur despite faith, or where God's purposes involve suffering ([2 Corinthians 12:7-10](/2_corinthians/12-7-10 "Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")). The primary message here is the *quality* of faith—a desperate, confident trust in Jesus' power and willingness—and His compassionate response. It encourages us to approach Jesus with unwavering faith for all our needs, trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty to respond according to His perfect will, which always seeks our ultimate wholeness, whether physical in this life or eternal in the next.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:22 is a profound foreshadowing and demonstration of Christ's ultimate redemptive work. Her long-standing bleeding, which rendered her unclean and isolated, powerfully symbolizes humanity's spiritual condition: alienated from God by the persistent "issue" of sin, which brings defilement and separation ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Sin Separates from God")). Just as her touch of faith brought immediate physical and social wholeness, so too does faith in Jesus Christ bring spiritual cleansing and reconciliation with God. He is the true Lamb of God, whose shed blood cleanses us from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "Cleansing by Christ's Blood")), making us "whole" in a far deeper sense—saved from eternal death and brought into new life ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Jesus' tender address, "Daughter," echoes His role as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), welcoming the outcast into His family. Her physical healing points to the greater spiritual healing and eternal life offered through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrows ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Ultimately, this narrative affirms that Jesus is not merely a healer of bodies, but the Savior who brings complete and everlasting wholeness to all who, by faith, reach out and touch Him.

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 7:50

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

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 9:2

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Luke 17:19

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

Luke 8:48

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

Luke 18:42

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

Mark 10:52

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.