Mark 5:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a metaphorical sense, consider this aspect of human nature as well. It was marked by violence due to its capacity to generate sin, which constitutes the destruction of the soul and causes the shedding of our souls' blood.

It is common for those who are weak to seek healing from various healers without success, similar to the account of the woman afflicted with a hemorrhage in the Gospel (Mark 5:25-26). In the same way, a beleaguered Christian, recognizing the grave condition of their soul, seeks assistance in many places but finds none. They may struggle through numerous texts, yet cannot find the healing they desire. Beloved Christian, regardless of your efforts or the directions you turn, true healing for every affliction can only be found in Christ. While it is certainly beneficial and essential to read Christian literature, meditate upon it, and gain wisdom from its teachings, all these resources ultimately direct us back to Christ, urging us to seek our healing and salvation solely through Him.

All the afflicted individuals sought to reach out to His garments; among them, the woman with a flow of blood approached Him, and upon her healing, she considered withdrawing. Instead of immediately addressing her, Jesus paused, turned toward the multitude, and inquired, ‘Who touched me? I felt the virtue leave me.’ He scanned the crowd, and as the woman realized she could not remain concealed, she fell before Him and confessed her whole story. Jesus praised her belief, proclaiming, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you whole.’ What was the significance of this? Did He, who silenced the demoniacs from revealing His identity, desire honor for Himself? The Redeemer did this to bolster Jairus' faith. He said to Jairus, ‘Do you see this woman?

In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jairus informs Jesus that his daughter has died (ετελέυτησεν v. 18), prompting him to request a resurrection. Conversely, in the Gospels of Mark (εσχάτως έχει v. 23) and Luke (αυτη άπεθνισκεν v. 42), it is noted that she was merely at the point of death, leading Jairus initially to seek healing for his daughter; he was only later informed of her death. Given the condition of the afflicted woman and Jairus's emotional state, it is reasonable to assume that his statements were not entirely unambiguous; he likely intended to convey that his daughter was in grave condition when he left home and possibly had succumbed by that time.

As Jesus made His way to Jairus' residence, a woman who had been afflicted with a bleeding condition for twelve years approached from behind the crowd. Having exhausted all avenues for healing, she had long since lost hope. The woman refrained from approaching Jesus directly to plead for His healing touch, for according to the Mosaic law, anyone with such ailments was deemed unclean, required to remain isolated throughout the duration of their sickness, and was forbidden from making contact with others (Lev. 15:25-28). Yet, her unwavering faith in the healing power of Jesus compelled her to reach out and touch His garment in secret, fully believing that even a single touch would restore her health.

Amidst the crowd, which likely comprised Pharisees and disciples of John, in addition to the tax collectors and sinners who continually followed Him, there was an individual who was not simply curious about what He would do for the ruler of the synagogue. This woman had endured a debilitating condition for twelve long years, a suffering that was unbearable, compounded by the belief among the people that her affliction was a direct result of sinful behavior.

In reference to Matthew 9:20-21, the narrative reveals that she endured great suffering at the hands of various physicians. This account provides a more vivid portrayal of the significance of the miracle and highlights the extraordinary nature of her healing. Despite her desperate attempts to gain their assistance by exhausting her resources and offering everything she had, the expertise of these doctors not only failed to alleviate her condition but ultimately exacerbated her suffering. Thus, the limitations of human skill became evident, while a single touch of Christ’s garment—infused with her faith in His miraculous power—brought her immediate healing (Mark 5:27-28). She recognized her restoration and promptly shared her testimony of being healed from her affliction (Mark 5:33).

Amidst the crowd, there was a woman who had suffered from constant bleeding for twelve years. She had sought assistance from numerous physicians, depleted her financial resources, and instead of finding healing, her condition had worsened. In her desperation, she resolved to seek the aid of the ultimate healer, believing with unwavering faith that she would at last be restored. Ashamed of her affliction and aware that she was considered unclean by the law (Leviticus 15:25), she felt unable to openly present herself and thought to herself, ‘If only I can touch His garment, I will be made whole.’ Stealthily and without drawing attention, she reached behind Jesus Christ and touched the edge of His robe. As St. Philaret of Moscow observed, 'the very essence of Jesus Christ perceived, understood, and deeply acknowledged who had touched Him, yet He chose to reveal this outwardly to highlight the miraculous encounter and its wondrous outcome.'