Mark 5_25_34 Observations

Agent:Jesus

Patient:Hemorrhaging Woman

Instrument:Clothing; Fringe

Things Involved:Blood

Location:Galilee

Tags:Hemorrhage; Physical Contact

physical healing

temporal relief

material need

social shame

III.A Suffering Woman (5:24–34)

This woman’s affliction not only brought discomfort and discouragement, but it prevented her from worshiping at the temple (Lev. 15:19ff) and cost her all of her wealth in useless remedies. (Luke, a doctor, wrote that she “could not be healed by anyone”—Luke 8:43 [NASB]. Mark was not as easy on the doctors—he wrote that she “had endured much at the hands of many physicians” [v. 26, NASB]).

We must admire this woman’s faith, for she made her way through a dense crowd in order to get to Jesus. People would open the way for an important man like Jairus, but who would step aside for a needy woman? The Gk. text of v. 28 reads, “For she kept saying.” It was as though she encouraged herself as she made her way to Jesus. Her faith was rewarded!

But Jesus was unwilling for her to experience a miracle and not have opportunity to give glory to God (Ps. 107:2, 20–21). In tenderness, He encouraged her to tell what had happened; and then He sent her on her way in peace (v. 34). This suggests that she experienced much more than physical healing: she came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior (see Luke 7:40–50). Her witness to the power of Christ should have encouraged Jairus as he stood waiting, but apparently he missed the message.

These are only three of many people who came to the feet of Jesus while He was ministering here on earth. Read the four Gospels and meet these people. They will be a blessing to you as they reveal the love and power of Jesus.

Important Words.

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 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. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

More observations

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 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. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.