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 5:27 mean?

Explanation

Mark 5:27 describes a key moment in the Gospel narrative where a woman, who had been suffering from an issue of blood for twelve years, approached Jesus in faith, believing that merely touching his garments would be sufficient to heal her.

In this verse, the woman is purposeful and determined, pushing through the crowd ("the press") to reach Jesus. This persistence highlights a profound level of faith and desperation.

It is not just a physical action but a demonstration of belief in Jesus' power to heal and restore. The act of touching his garment symbolizes a faith that does not require grand gestures or public acknowledgment but is personal and intimate.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

The event described in Mark 5:27 occurs during the early part of Jesus' public ministry.

At this time, Jesus was drawing large crowds due to his teachings, miracles, and healings.

According to the customs of the time, the woman with the issue of blood would have been considered ceremonially unclean and would have been socially ostracized because of her condition.

Jewish laws, specifically those found in Leviticus 15, stipulate that anyone with a discharge is unclean, and anything or anyone they touch becomes unclean as well.

Therefore, her act of faith was not only bold but also broke cultural norms and religious purity laws of the day.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives provide varied insights into the significance of this passage:

From a traditional Christian viewpoint, this verse emphasizes the power available through Jesus Christ and the concept of salvation by faith.

This woman's faith is seen as a model for personal trust in Jesus.

Liberation theology might highlight the woman's marginalization and Jesus' role in breaking the societal stigmas around her disease, thereby championing Jesus' concern for the downtrodden and outcast.
Feminist theology may focus on the portrayal of a woman taking initiative in her faith and Jesus' positive response, countering the gender norms of the first-century Mediterranean world.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied practically in several ways:

It encourages individuals to act in faith, even in situations that might seem hopeless or socially risky.
It demonstrates the importance of personal agency in seeking healing or change.
It serves as a reminder that faith in something greater than oneself can have transformative power in someone's life.

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 8:43-44: "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."
Leviticus 15:25-27: Discusses the laws concerning a woman's issue of blood and the associated uncleanness.

Language Study

The key Greek words in this verse are worth examining for a deeper understanding:

"Heard" (ἀκούσασα, akousasa) in Greek means to hear or listen, indicating the woman had heard reports of Jesus and his healing power.
"Press" (ὄχλου, ochlou) refers to a crowd or multitude; in this context, it suggests a large gathering of people surrounding Jesus.
"Touched" (ἥψατο, hapsato) conveys physical contact but is also used metaphorically to imply laying hold of something, in this case, Jesus' power.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this Biblical account to other ancient myths and religious interpretations:

Similar motifs can be found in other religions where the touch of a deity or a sacred object results in healing.
In the Greco-Roman world, stories often included gods or heroes with the power to heal, but the individual's faith as a requisite for healing is uniquely emphasized in the New Testament narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings typically do not substantiate the concept of healing through touch alone as described in the verse.

However, the placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon where belief in a certain treatment, even if it's inert, can lead to perceived or even real improvements in health.

Commentaries

Commentators have provided various insights into this verse:

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes the woman's faith in Christ's power and her resolution to come to him, even pressing through obstacles.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible acknowledges the challenge of the woman's condition per Mosaic law and commends her faith and courage to break through the crowd.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the significance of her faith being powerful enough to be effective with just a touch, even without Jesus' awareness, highlighting the efficacy of faith in the sincerity and urgency of its action.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:27 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 5:27 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?