Mark 5:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Metaphorically, our being could not find restoration through numerous healers, which means neither through the sages of this world nor even through the Law and the Prophets.

Numerous doctors are often called to address such afflictions; however, there was one doctor who opposed the condition faced by this woman. Though many practitioners attempted to alleviate her ulcer and treated her poorly, one physician sought to assist her, aiming to bring her relief from the distress caused by so many failed attempts. The skill of this healer sought to eradicate the impure ailment, yet it also introduced further pain to her suffering. According to the Gospel, the more physicians arrived, the worse her illness became. Yet, the fringe of the garment (Mark 5:28) proved to be her salvation, bringing complete restoration and abolishing her pain entirely.

The weak often turn to various healers in search of restoration, yet they find no relief, as illustrated in the Gospel account of the woman plagued by a bleeding condition (Mark 5:25-26). Similarly, a struggling Christian, recognizing their profound spiritual ailment, searches for assistance in numerous places but finds none. They may laboriously peruse a multitude of texts, yet healing eludes them. Beloved Christian, regardless of your efforts or the directions you pursue, true healing can only be found in Christ. Indeed, while reading Christian literature is beneficial and essential for growth, encouraging contemplation and repentance, all such works ultimately point us back to Christ.

All those who were ill sought to touch His garments; among them was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhaging. When she received her healing, she considered retreating. However, Jesus paused rather than hurrying to the afflicted woman; He turned to the multitude and inquired, “Who touched me? For I feel the power that has gone out from me.” He scanned the crowd, and ultimately, the woman, realizing that concealment was impossible, approached Him and fell at His feet, confessing all that had happened. Jesus affirmed her faith, proclaiming, “Courage, your faith has made you whole.” What was the purpose of this event? Did He, who instructed the possessed not to declare His identity, desire glory for Himself? The Savior performed this act to bolster Jairus’ faith.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jairus informs Jesus that his daughter has already passed away (ετελέυτησεν v. 18), prompting him to request a resurrection. In contrast, the Gospels of Mark (εσχάτως έχει v. 23) and Luke (αυτη άπεθνισκεν v. 42) indicate that she was merely gravely ill, leading Jairus to initially seek healing for her; news of her death reached him later. Given the situation of the sick woman and Jairus's emotional state, it is reasonable to conclude that his words were not entirely clear or without doubt. He likely intended to convey that upon his departure from home, his daughter was in her final moments, and perhaps was already deceased.

As Jesus made His way to Jairus' home, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years approached Him from behind, desperate and without hope of restoration, having exhausted all remedies for her condition. She could not bring herself to confront Jesus directly to seek healing, for the Mosaic law deemed her unclean due to her affliction; hence, she was required to remain isolated during her illness, avoiding contact with others (Lev. 15:25-28). Nevertheless, her faith in the healing power of Jesus was unwavering, leading her to believe that if she merely touched the hem of His garment, she would be made whole.

Despite her extensive efforts to find healing, she had only suffered further harm to her condition by consulting numerous renowned doctors. Now, in a moment of utter desperation, she longed to encounter what the divine Healer could provide without any cost.

In the account found in Matthew 9:20-21, it is noted that she endured numerous hardships at the hands of many doctors. This narrative is more elaborate than in the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing the significance of the miracle and underscoring the extraordinary nature of her healing. Despite her desperate appeals and the financial sacrifices she made to the physicians, her condition continued to deteriorate rather than improve. Thus, the expertise of humanity ultimately failed her. However, what human skill could not achieve was granted to her through a single touch of Christ's garment, fueled by her faith in His miraculous power (Mark 5:27-28). She immediately sensed her own healing, as she testified (Mark 5:33).

In the crowd was a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had sought help from numerous physicians and exhausted all her resources, yet instead of improving, her condition had worsened. In desperation, she resolved to seek assistance from the ultimate healer, convinced that at last she would find restoration. Ashamed of her affliction and considered unclean by the law (Leviticus 15:25), she felt too embarrassed to present herself publicly. She thought to herself, “If only I can touch His cloak, I will be made whole.” Thus, she quietly approached from behind Jesus Christ and touched the fringe of His garment. According to St.