Mark 5

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

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.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

What does Mark 5:26 mean?

Explanation

Mark 5:26 refers to a woman who had been suffering from a chronic bleeding condition for twelve years. It points out that not only did she not receive any relief from the medical treatments of her time, but her condition had exacerbated.

The verse conveys a sense of hopelessness and despair, portraying the woman's long and fruitless search for a cure. It also highlights her financial desperation, as she had spent all she had on treatments.

This verse sets the stage for her encounter with Jesus, where she seeks healing through faith rather than conventional medicine.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

During the time Mark's Gospel was written, medical knowledge was primitive by today's standards.

Treatments varied and could include a mix of practical remedies, superstitions, and ritualistic practices.

The woman's condition of prolonged bleeding (likely menstrual bleeding or hemorrhage) would have also carried social and religious implications, potentially rendering her ritually unclean under Jewish law, leading to social isolation.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse showcases a number of themes, such as faith in Jesus' healing power, the limitations of human efforts apart from divine intervention, and the compassionate nature of Jesus' miracles.

Many Christian scholars view this passage as an illustration of the inadequacy of human means to address the deepest needs of individuals, needs that can only be truly met through a personal encounter with Christ.

Practical Applications

In a contemporary context, this verse can offer comfort to those who feel they have exhausted their options and are facing despair.

It can inspire individuals to seek spiritual solutions in addition to physical ones and to trust in a higher power when human resources fail.

It's a call to personal faith and persistence in seeking help.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:20-22: "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment."
Luke 8:43-48: Another account of the same story emphasizing the woman's faith and Jesus' response.
Leviticus 15:25-27: The Law on ceremonial uncleanness for a woman with an issue of blood.
Psalm 147:3: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
Jeremiah 17:14: "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for "suffered" is "παθοῦσα" (pathousa), which can translate to experiencing or enduring, underscoring the woman's long struggle.

"Physicians" is "ἰατρῶν" (iatrōn), rooting in the concept of healers or doctors.

"Spent all that she had" is reinforced by "δαπανήσασα" (dapanēsasa), amplifying the complete consumption of her resources without any improvement, "οὐδὲν ὠφελήθη" (ouden ōphelēthē), which means "not at all benefited."

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many cultures had different approaches to healing, including the use of herbs, prayers, sacrifices, and purification rituals.

The woman's plight could be compared to various mythological stories where characters seek healing from gods or miraculous sources after human remedies fail.

The narrative also parallels themes in other religions that emphasize the necessity of spiritual intervention for true healing.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern medical perspective, the woman's condition could be described as a type of hemorrhagic disorder.

Today, we understand that such chronic ailments require specific medical treatment that wasn't available in the first century.

The passage touches on the historical limits of medical science and the psychological and financial toll of chronic illness.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and commentators have often focused on the woman's faith and Jesus' response as central themes of this passage.

They have discussed the contrast between the unsuccessful treatments by many doctors and the immediate healing received from Jesus.

Matthew Henry’s commentary highlights the plight of the woman as an example of the insufficiency of worldly comforts and the necessity of faith for divine intervention.

Meanwhile, the New Bible Commentary speaks to the social and religious marginalization she would have faced due to her condition in the Jewish context, emphasizing the transformative power of her encounter with Jesus.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 5:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?