Matthew 9:20
And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This woman, afflicted for twelve years and deemed unclean, didn't just touch Jesus' cloak; she specifically touched the fringe. This small detail reveals her deep understanding of Jewish law, as these fringes were mandated reminders of God's commands, and she believed touching this symbol of divine obedience would bring her healing.
As Jesus is on his way to heal Jairus's daughter, a woman who has suffered for twelve years from an incurable bleeding issue secretly touches the fringe of his garment, believing it will make her well. Her long-standing, chronic illness made her ritually unclean according to Jewish law, adding to her shame and secrecy as she navigated the crowded street. This act of faith, though hidden, immediately draws Jesus's attention and leads to a powerful encounter.
Twelve years. That's a long time to suffer, to lose hope, and to exhaust every resource. This woman had done all that, yet still she sought Jesus.
Twelve Years of Suffering
This woman's condition wasn't just physically draining; it made her ritually unclean according to Jewish law. Imagine the isolation! For twelve years, she couldn't participate fully in community life or worship. She had sought help from physicians, spending all her money, but only grew worse.
A Leap of Faith
Despite her desperation and the social barriers her condition created, she heard about Jesus. Her faith wasn't passive; it was an active choice to believe He could heal her. She didn't approach Him directly, perhaps out of shame or fear of making others unclean, but her intention was clear: to touch Him.
Why the fringe? It wasn't just any part of Jesus' robe; it held deep symbolic meaning rooted in God's ancient commands.
A Reminder of God's Law
The fringe, or tassel, on the corner of an Israelite's garment was commanded by God in the Old Testament. Its purpose was to serve as a constant visual reminder to God's people to obey His commandments.
Jesus Embodies the Law
By wearing these fringes, Jesus demonstrated His adherence to God's law. This woman, in touching the very edge of His garment – the fringe – was reaching out to the One who perfectly embodied and fulfilled God's commands. Her touch, though hidden, was a profound act of faith directed at God's representative.
Understand the original words
kraspedon · Greek Noun
"Fringe" refers to the tassels (tzitzit) commanded in the Torah (Numbers 15:38) to remind the Israelites of God's commandments. Touching the fringe reflects the woman’s deep faith in the power residing in Jesus as the one who fulfills the Law.
This woman's desperate act, driven by years of suffering and the social stigma of her condition, highlights how Jesus' power transcended ritual laws and touched those marginalized by them. Her healing, sought through a simple touch of the garment's fringe—a reminder of God's law—demonstrates faith in Jesus as the source of life and restoration.
c. 1500 BC
Command to Wear Fringes
God commands the Israelites to wear fringes on the borders of their garments as a reminder to obey His commandments.
c. 450 BC
Levitical Purity Laws Codified
The Law of Moses, including detailed regulations on ceremonial uncleanness like issues of blood, is established and widely observed.
c. 1st Century BC
Pharisaic Emphasis on Fringes
The Pharisees increasingly emphasize outward religious observance, including wearing conspicuous fringes, as a sign of piety.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus begins His public ministry, performing numerous miracles and teaching with divine authority throughout Galilee.
This passage directly explains the origin and purpose of the 'fringe' or 'hem' (tzitzit) that the woman touched, serving as a constant reminder of God's commandments.
Leviticus 15:25-27This Old Testament law details the ceremonial uncleanness associated with the woman's affliction, highlighting why she felt shame and sought to touch Jesus discreetly.
Mark 5:25-34This parallel account provides more details about the woman's desperation, her twelve years of suffering, and Jesus' interaction with her after the healing, emphasizing her faith.
Matthew 14:36This verse shows another instance where people sought to be healed simply by touching Jesus' garment, reinforcing the idea that His touch (or even proximity) held divine power.
vincentMatthew 9:20: "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:"
Hem (κρασπέδου)Rev., border. The fringe worn on the border of the outer garment, according to the command in Numbers 15:38. Dr. Edersheim ("Life and Times of Jesus") says that, according to tradition, each of the white fringes was to consist of eight threads, one of them wound round the others; first seven times, with a double knot; then eight times…
bensonMatthew 9:20: "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:"
Matthew 9:20-22 . And, behold, a woman which was diseased — According to the circumstances of her disease, as mentioned by Mark and Luke, it was incurable by any human power, and she herself knew it to be so, having been afflicted with it for twelve years, and tried the skill of many physicians, probably of all that were of note in the country; and h…
This woman, afflicted for twelve years and deemed unclean, didn't just touch Jesus' cloak; she specifically touched the fringe. This small detail reveals her deep understanding of Jewish law, as these fringes were mandated reminders of God's commands, and she believed touching this symbol of divine obedience would bring her healing.
As Jesus is on his way to heal Jairus's daughter, a woman who has suffered for twelve years from an incurable bleeding issue secretly touches the fringe of his garment, believing it will make her well. Her long-standing, chronic illness made her ritually unclean according to Jewish law, adding to her shame and secrecy as she navigated the crowded street. This act of faith, though hidden, immediately draws Jesus's attention and leads to a powerful encounter.
As Jesus is on his way to heal Jairus's daughter, a woman who has suffered for twelve years from an incurable bleeding issue secretly touches the fringe of his garment, believing it will make her well. Her long-standing, chronic illness made her ritually unclean according to Jewish law, adding to her shame and secrecy as she navigated the crowded street. This act of faith, though hidden, immediately draws Jesus's attention and leads to a powerful encounter.
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c. AD 29— this verse
Woman Touches Jesus' Garment
A woman suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage, rendered ceremonially unclean and desperate, secretly touches the fringe of Jesus' garment and is instantly healed.
"And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment," — This woman, afflicted for twelve years and deemed unclean, didn't just touch Jesus' cloak; she specifically touched the fringe. This small detail reveals her deep understanding of Jewish law, as thes…
