And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Luke, a physician himself, subtly highlights the woman's desperate financial state by noting she "had spent all her living" – a phrase implying not just money, but her entire means of livelihood – on futile treatments. This detail underscores the depth of her suffering and the absolute failure of all human help before she encountered Jesus.
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is welcomed back to shore after calming the storm, a synagogue leader named Jairus approaches him in desperation about his dying daughter. In the midst of this urgent plea, a desperate woman, who has suffered a chronic and debilitating illness for twelve years and exhausted all her resources on physicians without success, secretly pushes through the crowd. Her desperate act of faith, seeking healing from Jesus, happens simultaneously with Jairus's request, creating a powerful juxtaposition of public urgency and private suffering.
Twelve years. Imagine that long. This woman endured a constant physical struggle, and it cost her everything.
Luke doesn't just tell us this woman was sick; he emphasizes the immense toll it took.
A Financial Ruin
She "spent all her living on physicians." This wasn't just a few doctor's visits. It was a complete depletion of her resources. In that time, medical care was expensive and often ineffective, especially for chronic conditions.
A Social Isolation
While not explicitly stated here, a continuous discharge of blood would have made her ritually unclean according to the Law (Leviticus 15:25-27). This likely meant she lived in a state of separation, unable to participate fully in community life or worship. Her illness wasn't just physical; it was a social and spiritual burden.
A Deep Despair
After exhausting her finances and finding no relief, the despair must have been overwhelming. She had tried everything humanly possible and failed.
She'd failed with doctors, yet she turned to Jesus. What drove this incredible act of faith?
This woman's approach to Jesus is remarkable because it defied logic and past failures.
A Leap of Hope
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Having exhausted all conventional means, her decision to seek Jesus was a radical act of hope. It wasn't just a casual encounter; it was a desperate move towards the only possibility she felt remained.
A Quiet Approach
She came "behind him, and touched the border of his garment." Given her uncleanness and the crowd, she likely feared drawing attention. Her faith was intimate and personal, seeking contact without direct confrontation.
The Power of Touch
Her faith wasn't just in Jesus's person, but in the power radiating from him. Touching his garment was an act of seeking to tap into that divine power. It’s a powerful image of reaching out to God, even from the fringes.
In the midst of a crowd, Jesus noticed one person's desperate plea. What does this tell us about His heart?
Jesus didn't just heal her; He acknowledged her and restored her whole being.
Immediate Efficacy
The moment she touched his garment, "her issue of blood stanched." The twelve-year affliction ended instantly. This highlights the immediate and complete power of Jesus's healing.
Public Declaration
Jesus stopped, asking, "Who touched me?" This might seem odd, as many were pressing against him. But He knew "power had gone out from him." He wanted to bring her out of the shadows and publicly affirm her healing.
Restorative Words
He called her "Daughter," a term of endearment and affirmation. He didn't just stop the bleeding; He declared, "Your faith has made you well." He restored her not only physically but also socially and spiritually, validating her faith and reintegrating her into community.
Understand the original words
rhysis haimatos · Greek Noun
A physical flow of blood. Under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15), such a condition rendered a person ceremonially unclean, creating social and religious isolation.
therapeuō · Greek Verb
The restoration of physical, emotional, or spiritual wholeness. In the New Testament, it is often tied to the power of God manifested through Jesus' ministry, symbolizing total salvation (sōtēria).
This woman's story highlights the desperate limitations of medical knowledge at the time, especially for chronic conditions, making Jesus' instantaneous healing a profound act of mercy and divine power.
c. 6th-5th century BC
Development of Rabbinic Medical Traditions
During this period, Jewish traditions and interpretations of the Law, including medical practices, were being codified. While not always effective, these traditions offered specific, though often strange, remedies for ailments like the one described.
Early 1st century AD
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea was under Roman occupation, impacting daily life and social structures. While this particular ailment wasn't directly political, the general atmosphere of Roman governance affected local economies and access to resources.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus was actively teaching and healing throughout Galilee, drawing large crowds. His reputation as a healer and teacher was spreading rapidly, leading many to seek him out.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Healing Ministry
Jesus performed numerous miracles of healing, often in public settings. These acts demonstrated his divine power and compassion, contrasting with the limitations of contemporary medical practices.
This passage describes the same woman, emphasizing the severity of her condition (suffering for twelve years and growing worse) and the complete failure of all medical treatment.
Matthew 9:20Matthew also recounts this event, highlighting the woman's desperate act of touching Jesus' garment, showing a consistent account across the Gospels of this significant healing.
Leviticus 15:25This Old Testament law explains why the woman's condition would have made her ceremonially unclean and isolated, adding depth to her desperation and the powerful significance of Jesus' healing touch.
2 Kings 1:2This passage shows King Ahaziah sending to the god Baal-zebub for healing when sick, illustrating a contrast with the woman's faith in Jesus and highlighting the futility of seeking help from false gods compared to the true Healer.
Acts 19:12This later New Testament event shows handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul bringing healing, echoing the theme of physical objects touched by God's servants carrying miraculous power, similar to the woman touching Jesus' garment.
gillLuke 8:43: "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,"
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years,.... The Persic version reads, "there was a woman in that city", &c. in the city of Capernaum; See Gill on Matthew 9:20 . Which had spent all her living upon physicians; she had applied to one physician and another, and had consumed all her substance in this way: neither could be healed of any; though sh…
ellicottLuke 8:43: "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,"
(43) Neither could be healed of any. —It is, perhaps, worth noting that while St. Luke records the failure of the physicians to heal the woman, he does not add, as St. Mark does, that she “rather grew worse” ( Mark 5:26 ).
Luke, a physician himself, subtly highlights the woman's desperate financial state by noting she "had spent all her living" – a phrase implying not just money, but her entire means of livelihood – on futile treatments. This detail underscores the depth of her suffering and the absolute failure of all human help before she encountered Jesus.
As Jesus is welcomed back to shore after calming the storm, a synagogue leader named Jairus approaches him in desperation about his dying daughter. In the midst of this urgent plea, a desperate woman, who has suffered a chronic and debilitating illness for twelve years and exhausted all her resources on physicians without success, secretly pushes through the crowd. Her desperate act of faith, seeking healing from Jesus, happens simultaneously with Jairus's request, creating a powerful juxtaposition of public urgency and private suffering.
As Jesus is welcomed back to shore after calming the storm, a synagogue leader named Jairus approaches him in desperation about his dying daughter. In the midst of this urgent plea, a desperate woman, who has suffered a chronic and debilitating illness for twelve years and exhausted all her resources on physicians without success, secretly pushes through the crowd. Her desperate act of faith, seeking healing from Jesus, happens simultaneously with Jairus's request, creating a powerful juxtaposition of public urgency and private suffering.
"And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone." — Luke, a physician himself, subtly highlights the woman's desperate financial state by noting she "had spent all her living" – a phrase implying not just money, but her entire means of livelihood – on…
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Last reviewed October 2026