He
went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Mark 5:24-29
Mark 5 [21.] When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.”
Mark 5 [24.] He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. A certain woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Mark 5 [30.] Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
Meaning:
As Jesus set out with Jairus toward the dying girl, the crowd pressed in on every side. Hidden among them was a woman whose suffering had lasted as long as Jairus’ daughter had been alive: twelve years. Mark 5:24-29 tells how she quietly reached out, touched Jesus’ clothes, and was instantly healed. Her story interrupts Jairus’ urgent mission, but it reveals the compassion and power of Jesus in a way no one in the crowd expected.
- Twelve Years of Bleeding and Isolation
The woman had “an issue of blood,” probably a chronic menstrual or uterine haemorrhage. Under the Law of Moses, “If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period ... she is unclean” (Leviticus 15:25). Anyone who touched her bed or seat became unclean. For twelve years she had been unable to enter the temple courts to worship, and her contact with others was restricted. Her illness brought physical weakness, social isolation and spiritual exclusion.
- Many Physicians, No Cure
Mark describes her plight bluntly: she “had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse.” Medicine in the ancient world mixed genuine herbal remedies with superstition, and later Jewish writings list treatments for this very condition that range from medicinal drinks to charms. Doctors charged fees whether or not they helped. After twelve years she had lost her health, her money and her hope in human help.
Jesus himself honoured the work of doctors, saying, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick” (Mark 2:17). Medicine is a gift, but it has limits. Where human help ends, God’s power does not.
- “If I Just Touch His Clothes”
She had “heard the things concerning Jesus.” News of his healings had spread, and earlier crowds “pressed on him that they might touch him” (Mark 3:10). She came “behind him in the crowd,” hoping not to be noticed. By the Law her touch could make Jesus unclean, and public exposure could bring shame. So she planned a secret touch of his clothes.
Her faith may have been mixed with some superstition about the power of garments, but it was genuine faith in Jesus. She was convinced, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” The word for “made well” is the same Greek word often translated “saved.”
- Healed Immediately
“Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.” Mark’s favourite word, “immediately,” underlines the completeness of the cure. What twelve years of doctors could not do, one touch of faith accomplished. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean, she became clean. Jesus is the One “who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3), and the prophet foresaw that “by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Yet her story is not finished. Jesus will not let her slip away healed but unknown (Mark 5:30); he wants to give her more than a cure.
The Significance of Mark 5:24-29
- Come to Jesus Just as You Are
This woman came weak, unclean, poor and afraid, and Jesus received her. No one is too broken or too ashamed to reach out to him. He still says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
- Faith Reaches Out Even When It Is Small
Her faith was timid and hidden, but it reached toward the right person. We do not need perfect understanding to come to Jesus, only enough faith to reach out. And we should notice the suffering, often hidden, of those around us, especially those whose illnesses isolate them or drain their resources, and show them the compassion of Christ.
Cross-References:
Leviticus 15:25: "If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her period; all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness shall be as in the days of her period: she is unclean." The law that made this woman ritually unclean for twelve years.
Mark 3:10: "For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him." Touching Jesus in faith brought healing to many.
Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed." Jesus’ healing ministry points to the deeper healing of the cross.
Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus welcomes the weary and burdened.
Conclusion: Mark 5:24-29 shows a woman at the end of her resources reaching out to Jesus in the crowd. Twelve years of suffering ended in a moment. Her story assures us that Jesus notices the hidden sufferer, that his power exceeds every human remedy, and that even small, trembling faith is welcomed when it reaches out to him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible