What does Mark 5:31 mean?

Explanation

The verse Mark 5:31 is a part of the narrative where Jesus heals a woman who had been suffering from a bleeding disorder for twelve years.

This woman, in a crowd, reaches out to touch Jesus' garment in faith, believing that just by touching his clothes, she would be healed.

The moment she touches him, Jesus immediately feels power go out from him and asks, "Who touched my clothes?" To this, his disciples respond with the given verse, showing their bewilderment at the question since many people were pressing around Jesus, making it difficult to identify a single individual.

The literal explanation is that the disciples are reacting to Jesus' inquiry about who touched him. They are surprised because, given the size of the crowd, physical contact would be inevitable and seemingly unremarkable.

On a deeper level, the verse contrasts the difference between casual contact with Jesus (merely being in the crowd) and a touch of faith (the woman's intentional act). It emphasizes the idea that intentional, faith-filled actions are distinguishable to Jesus, even when unnoticed by others.

Historical Context

This verse is situated in the New Testament of the Bible, where Jesus is ministering to the people of the region of Galilee.

It is a time of expectation and hope among the Jews, who are waiting for the promised Messiah.

The crowd reflects the common people of that era, who often thronged around Jesus due to his teachings and the miraculous healings he performed.

In that society, diseases were often stigmatizing, and a woman with a bleeding disorder would also be considered ritually unclean, adding another layer to her desperation and boldness in touching Jesus despite the social implications.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse brings out several points.

From a Christian standpoint, it emphasizes the omnipotence and omniscience of Jesus; he senses when divine power is drawn from him and identifies the touch of faith among the indifferent jostling of the crowd.

Additionally, it illustrates the nature of faith vs. physical proximity to the divine, true healing and spiritual connection require more than just a physical presence; it necessitates active faith.

From other theological viewpoints, this exchange might be interpreted as an example of holy persons in general (not just Jesus) having a heightened awareness or spiritual discernment that allows them to perceive the intentions behind actions that might seem mundane to others.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Mark 5:31 involves the importance of intentionality in one's faith practice.

It suggests that simply going through the motions is insufficient; one must actively reach out for the divine with genuine faith or desire for transformation.

In daily life, it encourages individuals to examine their actions, to assure that they are not just part of the crowd, in church or in their spiritual life, but are truly engaging with their beliefs in a meaningful way.

Cross-References

• Luke 8:45: "And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?"
• Mark 5:34: "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."
• 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: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.

And the woman was made whole from that hour."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word translated as "thronging" is "sunocheō," which means to press hard upon or compress.

The word can convey the sense of being pressed on all sides, reinforcing the image of a very tight crowd. The question "Who touched me?" uses the verb "haptomai," which implies intent and purpose behind the touch, differentiating it from accidental contact.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, it was common to believe in the transfer of power or healing through physical objects or persons.

For example, in Greco-Roman culture, touching the garments of statues of gods or emperors was sometimes seen as a way to receive blessings or healing.

Similarly, in some Eastern traditions, it is believed that spiritual energy can be transferred through touch, a concept known as "darshan" in Hinduism.

This concept can also be compared with the Jewish idea of "tum'ah" (ritual impurity) and "taharah" (ritual purity), where a woman with a bleeding disorder was considered impure and her touch could convey this state.

Jesus’ healing turns this concept on its head, as his purity and power are what are conveyed through touch, not impurity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the idea of power or energy being transmitted through touch does not correspond with any measurable physical phenomenon.

However, modern psychology does recognize the power of belief and the placebo effect, where an individual's faith in a solution (like the woman's faith in Jesus' ability to heal) can lead to real psychological and sometimes physiological benefits.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse often focus on the distinction between the woman's faith and the presence of the crowd.

Many theologians emphasize how Jesus is aware of the individual in a multitude and responds to the faith behind actions.

Some scholars may also reflect on the socio-religious implications of the woman's condition and her courageous act of touching Jesus, highlighting themes of social exclusion, purity laws, and their subversion through this healing narrative.

Finally, commentators often explore the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' awareness, pointing out human limitations in contrast to divine insight.