PER154

The healing of the woman with bleeding

Pericope 154 recounts the healing of a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years, as reported by Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Capernaum, she discreetly touches the garment of Jesus on his way to Jairus' house. Healed instantly, she is publicly acknowledged by Jesus, who declares: 'Your faith has saved you.' The article compares the three Synoptic accounts and explores the theological, christological and social significance of this miracle of faith.

8 min healing woman with a hemorrhage faith miracle ritual purity 7 verses 4 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew
Matthew 9.20-22 (King James Version)

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

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

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.

Mark
Mark 5.24-34 (King James Version)

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

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

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

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

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?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

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

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

Luke
Luke 8.43-48 (King James Version)

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

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

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?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

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.

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

John
John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Year AD 32

Location: Capernaum in Galilee

Date: February or March AD 32

Method: We continue with Mark

Note on the method: Mark's chronology seems the most probable

Map of Capernaum

The Messiah Jesus follows Jairus, but a woman is about to interrupt him.

The healing of the woman with bleeding

The woman with the issue of blood

Matthew 9.20-22

This woman had suffered from chronic bleeding for twelve years, which made her not only physically ill but also socially marginalized because of the purity laws of the Old Testament (Leviticus 15.25-27). It is clear that Peter spoke with this woman, since the details he provides in Mark's account could not have been known simply by observing the miracle.

Mark relied on the memories of the apostle Peter to write his Gospel.

As the Messiah Jesus was making his way through the dense crowd to go to Jairus' house, she approached discreetly and touched the edge of his garment. She thought to herself: “If I only touch His garment, I will be healed.” The moment she touched the garment of Jesus, she was instantly healed.

However, the Messiah Jesus felt power go out from him and, turning toward the woman, said to her: “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.” This miracle shows not only the power of the Messiah Jesus to heal, but also the importance of faith and perseverance.

This miracle is often cited as an example of the infinite compassion of the Messiah Jesus and of the power of faith. It shows that even in desperate situations, faith can work miracles.

There are some subtle differences between the accounts of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood as they are reported in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Here is an overview of the variations:

Matthew 9.20-22

Description: Matthew gives a concise version of the event.

Interaction: The woman touches the edge of Jesus' garment and is healed immediately.

Dialogue: Jesus turns around and says to her: “Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Focus: Matthew concentrates on the woman's act of faith and the immediate healing.

Mark 5.25-34

Description: Mark gives a more detailed description of the woman's situation and suffering.

Interaction: The woman touches Jesus' garment, immediately feels that she is healed, and Jesus senses that power has gone out from him.

Dialogue: Jesus asks: “Who touched my clothes?” The disciples and the crowd react, and the woman confesses, trembling. Jesus then says to her: “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Focus: Mark emphasizes the power of Jesus and the reverent fear of the woman.

Luke 8.43-48

Description: Luke likewise stresses the details of the woman's illness and mentions that she had found healing from no physician.

Interaction: The woman touches Jesus' garment and is immediately healed. Jesus senses that power has gone out from him and asks the crowd who touched him.

Dialogue: As in Mark, Jesus asks: “Who touched me?” Peter answers, and the woman confesses before everyone. Jesus then says to her: “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Focus: Luke highlights the public acknowledgment of the healing and the importance of faith.

Key differences

Details of the illness: Mark and Luke provide more details about the duration and the suffering of the woman's illness.

Reactions: The dialogues and interactions with Jesus vary slightly, especially Jesus' reaction and the way he identifies the woman.

Perspective: Each evangelist highlights different aspects, such as the woman's faith (Matthew), the power of Jesus (Mark), and the public acknowledgment (Luke).

These variations show the different perspectives of the evangelists, each one shedding light on specific aspects of the event and its spiritual significance.