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 5:30 mean?

Explanation

Mark 5:30 captures a moment in the Gospel where Jesus is amidst a crowd and becomes aware that healing power has been drawn from him due to someone's faith-filled touch.

The phrase "virtue had gone out of him" refers to a healing power or energy being transmitted from Jesus.

It suggests a divine acknowledgment by Jesus of an individual's act of faith, even within the press of the crowd.

Jesus' question, "Who touched my clothes?" not only indicates his awareness of the individual's action but also serves to highlight the importance of personal faith and its power to trigger divine response.

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Historical Context

The event described in Mark 5:30 occurs during one of Jesus' journeys to perform healings and miracles.

The historical context is in early first-century Galilee, where the prevailing culture was heavily influenced by Jewish law and tradition.

During this time, individuals with certain illnesses, such as bleeding, were considered unclean and were often ostracized from society.

The woman who touched Jesus' garment, seeking healing from her condition of chronic bleeding, was taking a significant personal risk in this cultural context.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, Mark 5:30 demonstrates several key insights:

Jesus' divine nature and his ability to perform miracles.
The concept of faith being a conduit for divine healing.
The willingness of Jesus to respond to individuals in need, regardless of societal norms.

Different Christian denominations may understand and emphasize these insights in various ways.

Some focus on the miraculous healing as a testament to the divinity of Christ, while others highlight the active faith of the woman as a model for believers.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse can encourage individuals to seek a personal relationship with God, emphasizing that faith, even as small as a touch, is recognized and rewarded by God.

It also serves as a reminder to be aware of the needs of those around us, even in the chaos of our daily lives, and to recognize that everyone's actions and faith are significant to God.

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: "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any"
Mark 6:56: "And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "virtue" is "δύναμις" (dynamis), which can be translated as "power," "strength," or "miraculous power." This indicates that the healing was not just a transfer of energy but a supernatural event.

The term "had gone out of him" from "ἐξελθοῦσαν" (exelthousan) conveys the sense of something leaving Jesus and emphasizes the unintentional and immediate response to the woman's act of faith.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient religions and myths, the concept of a deity's power being accessible through a physical object or in response to human action is not unique.

Various traditions feature stories where the touch of a divine object or being brings about healing or transformation.

However, in the context of Jewish culture, the idea that one could be healed simply by touching the garment of a holy man was somewhat revolutionary, and it challenged existing notions around purity and spiritual power.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the idea of "virtue" going out from Jesus and effecting healing could be understood metaphorically rather than literally.

While science does not substantiate the transmission of healing power through touch, the placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon where patients' beliefs can affect their health outcomes.

However, the biblical account goes beyond natural explanations and claims a supernatural event.

Commentaries

Commentators throughout history have offered diverse interpretations of Mark 5:30:

Some emphasize the personal connection and Jesus' sensitivity to individual faith, even in a crowded setting.
Others discuss the nature of miracles and divine intervention in the world.
A common perspective is the theme of faith's power over social taboos, as the woman with the bleeding condition was traditionally marginalized.

The consensus among many Christian commentators is that this passage illustrates a profound truth about the nature of Jesus as both divine and empathetic to human suffering, responsive to the faith of those who seek him out.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:30 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 5:30 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?