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 5:32 mean?

Explanation

In the biblical passage of Mark 5:32, Jesus is in the midst of a crowd.

The verse indicates that a woman who had been suffering from a chronic hemorrhage for twelve years had touched Jesus' cloak.

According to the narrative, she believed that by merely touching Jesus' garments, she would be healed.

Immediately after this touch, her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Upon the healing, Jesus sensed that power had gone out from him.

He then turned around and inquired about who had touched his clothes.

Mark 5:32 specifically refers to Jesus looking around to identify the individual who had initiated the contact that led to the healing.

It emphasizes Jesus's awareness and concern for the individual, despite the pressing crowd around him.

This verse conveys a literal meaning of Jesus' actions and attentiveness, but it also brings deeper meanings related to faith, the personal nature of healing, and Jesus' divine knowledge and power.

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Mark 5:32 occurs within the context of Jesus' ministry in Galilee.

The account is set in a time when Jesus was gathering a significant following due to his teachings and miracles.

The historical context includes the Jewish purity laws that considered bleeding as making an individual ritually unclean (Leviticus 15:19-30), which would have made the woman's condition socially isolating and a cause of shame.

In the patriarchal society of first-century Judea, the woman's act of touching Jesus' garment could have been seen as an act of faith or a desperate measure because she had exhausted all other avenues of healing over twelve years.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the verse reveals several insights:

Divine Awareness: Even in a crowd, Jesus is depicted as being fully aware of individual faith and actions.
Jesus' Power: That Jesus felt power leaving him implies a personal and physical aspect to his healing ability.
Faith as a Touchpoint: The importance of faith is highlighted in the woman’s belief that the mere touch of Jesus' garment would be sufficient for healing.
Covenant: Some theologians see this story as indicative of the new covenant; Jesus makes the unclean clean by his presence and power, breaking down barriers and old laws.

Practical Applications

This passage is often used to illustrate the following practical applications:

Faith in Action: Physical action (such as reaching out) combined with faith can be a catalyst for change and healing.
Acknowledgment of Individuals: No matter the crowd, each person is significant and worthy of attention and care.
Courage to Approach Jesus: It encourages individuals to reach out to Jesus, regardless of their status or history.

Cross-References

Luke 8:45-46: "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?"
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."
Leviticus 15:19-30: Discusses the purity laws concerning a woman with a discharge of blood.

Language Study

In Mark 5:32, key Greek words include:

Periblepsamenos: Translated as "he looked round about," which conveys an active and thorough looking, indicating Jesus' intentional search.
Poiesasa: This is the female participle for "having done," indicating the action was completed by a female, important as it identifies the subject.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons may be drawn with other ancient myths and religious traditions that include instances of healing through touch or contact with a holy person or object.

For instance, in various pagan religions, people sought healing from gods and temples.

In Greco-Roman culture, the touching of a person of high status, such as a ruler or a priest, could be seen as seeking a blessing or healing.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific perspectives might not directly confirm the miracle described but could explain the placebo effect, where an individual's belief in healing can lead to real physiological changes.

Additionally, the psychological impact of feeling socially accepted after years of isolation could have significant health benefits for the woman.

Commentaries

Commentators offer various insights into Mark 5:32:

William Barclay notes the uniqueness of Jesus' personal engagement with the woman, in contrast to the indifference someone important might have shown in similar circumstances at that time.
Matthew Henry emphasizes the power of Christ as not only infinite but also largely unfelt by the world, comparable to the sunlight that goes unnoticed by the blind.
John Calvin remarks on the saving faith of the woman, who dared to breach social norms for her belief in Christ's power to heal.

Mark 5

Mark 5

What does Mark 5:32 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 5:32 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?