The miracle of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood is a profound testament to the compassion and divine power of Jesus Christ. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48. Each account provides unique details that together paint a vivid picture of this miraculous healing.

Context and Background

The woman in this narrative had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. According to Jewish law, her condition rendered her ceremonially unclean, isolating her from religious and social life (Leviticus 15:25-27). Despite spending all she had on physicians, her condition only worsened, leaving her in a state of desperation and hopelessness.

The Miracle

In the Gospel of Mark, the narrative unfolds as Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus's daughter. The woman, driven by faith and desperation, approaches Jesus from behind in the crowd, believing, "If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed" (Mark 5:28). Her faith is rewarded immediately; upon touching the hem of His garment, her bleeding stops, and she feels in her body that she is healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware that power had gone out from Him, turns to the crowd and asks, "Who touched My clothes?" (Mark 5:30). The disciples, perplexed by the question given the pressing crowd, are unaware of the miracle that has just occurred. The woman, trembling with fear, comes forward and confesses the whole truth. Jesus responds with compassion, saying, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction" (Mark 5:34).

Theological Significance

This miracle highlights several key theological themes. First, it underscores the power of faith. The woman's belief in Jesus' ability to heal her, despite her long-standing condition, is a testament to the transformative power of faith in Christ. Her healing is not just physical but also spiritual, as Jesus addresses her as "Daughter," signifying her acceptance and restoration into the community.

Second, the miracle demonstrates Jesus' authority over physical ailments and His willingness to restore those marginalized by society. By healing the woman, Jesus not only addresses her physical suffering but also her social and religious isolation, restoring her dignity and place within the community.

Lastly, this event illustrates the personal nature of Jesus' ministry. Despite the pressing crowd and the urgency of Jairus's request, Jesus takes the time to acknowledge and affirm the woman's faith, emphasizing His care for each individual.

Cultural and Historical Insights

The woman's condition and her subsequent healing must be understood within the cultural and religious context of first-century Judaism. Her hemorrhage would have made her ritually unclean, affecting her ability to participate in religious activities and interact with others. Her act of touching Jesus' garment, therefore, was not only an act of faith but also a bold defiance of societal norms, risking further ostracism.

Conclusion

The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful narrative that continues to inspire faith and hope. It serves as a reminder of Jesus' compassion, His power to heal, and His ability to restore individuals to wholeness, both physically and spiritually.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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matt. Ix. 18
... And, behold," it is said, "a woman that had an issue of blood ... What then doth Christ? ...
He that enjoins silence, He that passes by miracles innumerable, is He in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxi matt ix 18.htm

A Changed Life
... because it is one of our Lord's miracles, and one ... account of the staunching of the
issue of blood ... strengthen our faith as we appropriate Christ, transform our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a changed life.htm

On the Baptism of Christ.
... made the water blood, now made to issue forth a ... verily the Adorner of the bride is
Christ, Who is ... probably one of the earliest references to miracles worked by ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the baptism of christ.htm

Extracts No. Ix.
... attention to the pretended miracles of the Shakers might not issue in assigning ...
arguments on this subject: "They do not deny the miracles of Christ and his ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no ix.htm

Matt. xv. 21, 22
... For if the peculiarity of art is to issue in something ... are with me always, and see
me working miracles, and have ... them, and saith, "Thou art the Christ, the Son ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lii matt xv 21.htm

Warning.
... The issue that God has placed before us is clear-cut ... man approved of God among you
by miracles and wonders ... around the redeemed sinner the love of Christ and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter viii warning.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... lay the wonder, that though he did so many miracles before them ... God would not even
for mercy's sake issue an unjust ... as I see God himself in Christ Jesus bowing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ... is upon the mercy-seat;
now Christ Jesus sits ... continually pleading the victory of his blood for sinners ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Rom. Iii. 18-Sep
... [1283] Seest thou to what issue the war ... How else then couldest thou show war against
Christ? For this cause, even if a man do miracles, have celibacy to show ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vii rom iii 18-sep.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... they are forced to become witnesses to the miracles of Christ ... dead halt, till at
length the only issue was found ... into the favor of God through Christ in baptism ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus