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 5:28 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 5:28 captures a moment of intense faith exhibited by a woman suffering from a hemorrhage.

This woman, who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, had heard of Jesus and the miracles he had performed.

In her desperation and firm belief that Jesus could heal her, she expressed a single-minded conviction: if she could just reach out and touch even the hem of his garment, she would be cured.

Her statement reflects a profound faith in Jesus's healing power, signifying that even the slightest contact would be sufficient to restore her health.

The verse illustrates not just a physical healing but a spiritual principle, emphasizing the power of faith to initiate healing and transformation.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

At the time of this event, Jewish culture held strict purity laws, and the woman's condition would have made her ceremonially unclean, causing her to be marginalized from society. Her act of touching Jesus (or even being in a crowd) would have been seen as taboo.

Moreover, she would likely have exhausted her resources, as the broader passage mentions her having spent all her money on doctors without any improvement. In the historical context, her act is one of both desperation and defiance, as she breaks societal norms for the slim hope of healing.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse speaks to several themes.

Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus's willingness to heal and restore those whom society has deemed untouchable.

Secondly, it illustrates the concept of faith as a means to receive God's grace, the woman's belief that Jesus could heal her was instrumental in her cure.

Different denominational perspectives may emphasize various aspects, such as the sanctity of Jesus's person (that even his clothes could heal), the relationship between faith and works, or the inclusivity of Jesus's ministry.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, Mark 5:28 encourages individuals to approach God with bold faith, believing in His willingness and power to intervene in their lives.

It suggests that healing and restoration are accessible to anyone, regardless of their societal status, and that faith is a crucial element in seeking divine intervention.

This can inspire believers to trust in God's aid during difficult times and to act upon their faith with the expectation that even their greatest challenges can be overcome.

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,"
Matthew 14:36: "And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key phrase is ἐὰν ἅψωμαι, which translates to "if I may touch." The word ἅψωμαι (hapsomai) is a subjunctive form, expressing the woman's desire or possibility rather than a certain action.

It also implies an initiative taken by the person, a reaching out to receive something not yet possessed.

The significance lies in the active role of faith: she must physically reach out to receive the healing she believes in.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient myths, the garments of gods or heroes often possess miraculous properties. For instance, in Greek myth, the hero Heracles had a cloak imbued with power. The belief in the sacredness or magical properties of clothing is not unique to Christianity.

However, in this biblical narrative, the power is not in the garment itself but in the person of Jesus and the woman's faith in him. This contrasts with the animist or magical perceptions of power in objects that are prevalent in other ancient religions.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the healing described in Mark 5:28 cannot be readily explained.

However, the placebo effect, a patient's perceived improvement in health following a treatment due to their expectations rather than the treatment itself, is a recognized phenomenon in medicine.

While this does not confirm the miraculous nature of the healing, it highlights the power of belief in affecting an individual's condition.

It is important to note, however, that the biblical text attributes the healing to divine power, not to psychological mechanisms.

Commentaries

Commentators on this verse offer insights based on theological, historical, and practical considerations.

Matthew Henry comments on the woman’s faith being commendably strong but imperfect, seeing a mistaken notion that there could be virtue in the very touching of His garment.

John Calvin also speaks of her faith, although it may seem superstitious, being sufficient to obtain her healing.

More contemporary commentators highlight the social implications of the woman's unclean status and Jesus' challenging of purity laws.

They also expand on the nature of true faith that leads to action, as seen in the woman's determination to reach Jesus midst a crowd.

Overall, experts on this Bible verse agree that it vividly represents the transformative power of faith actualized through action.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:28 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 5:28 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?