Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just heal the woman; he sees her. In calling her "daughter," he not only tenderly acknowledges her faith but also publicly counters the shame and isolation her condition imposed. This word of affirmation transforms a hidden, fearful act into a moment of dignity and wholeness, showing that Jesus cares about our restoration on every level.
Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is in the midst of a powerful healing ministry, having just declared a paralytic man’s sins forgiven and then physically healed him. As He continues to move through the crowds, a synagogue ruler named Jairus interrupts, begging Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus immediately goes with him. During this urgent journey, a desperate woman who has suffered for twelve years secretly touches Jesus' cloak, believing it will make her well.
In a bustling crowd, where everyone is pushing and shoving, Jesus stops. He doesn't just see a body; He sees a person—a daughter. What does this tell us about how Jesus views us?
The Personal Gaze of Jesus
Notice how Matthew records Jesus' reaction: 'Jesus turned, and seeing her he said...' This wasn't an automatic response. Jesus deliberately turned, not just to see her physically, but to acknowledge her entirely. In a culture where a woman with her condition would be considered unclean and ostracized, Jesus' gaze was revolutionary. He looked upon her with compassion, not condemnation.
A Term of Affection
His words, 'Take heart, daughter,' are incredibly tender. The word 'daughter' here isn't just a neutral term; it signifies intimacy, belonging, and deep affection. It’s as if Jesus is saying, 'You are precious to me, you are part of my family.' This highlights Jesus' profound love and desire to draw people into relationship with Him, regardless of their past or their struggles.
Jesus says her faith 'has made you well.' But was it her faith itself that had the power, or was it something—or Someone—else?
The Object of Our Faith
The verse states, 'your faith has made you well.' This can sound like our faith has magical power. However, the Bible consistently points to faith as the , not the , of healing and salvation.
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Faith Connects to Power
Jesus' own power was at work, but it was faith that accessed it. The commentaries highlight that faith is the 'means' or 'instrument' through which Christ’s power is exerted. The woman, desperate and believing Jesus could heal her even by a touch, acted on that belief. Her faith wasn't in the touch itself, but in the Person whose garment she touched.
It’s crucial to understand that faith isn't a force we generate; it's our trust and reliance placed in God, specifically in Jesus Christ and His finished work. When Jesus affirms her faith, He’s commending her trust in Him, and ratifying the healing that flowed from His divine power through that connection.
The healing was immediate, but what does it mean that the woman was 'made whole from that hour'?
More Than Just Physical Healing
The verse declares, 'And the woman was made whole from that hour.' This wasn't a gradual recovery; it was instantaneous and complete. Her physical ailment, which had plagued her for twelve years, vanished in that moment.
A Sign of Deeper Restoration
Commentaries suggest that 'made whole' can also imply being 'saved.' This points to a spiritual dimension of the healing. Beyond the cessation of her physical suffering, this encounter offered her a restored status in the community (no longer ceremonially unclean) and, more importantly, peace with God. Jesus' words, 'Take heart,' and the implicit forgiveness and acceptance, signify a wholeness that touches the soul as well as the body.
Understand the original words
tharseō · Greek Verb
A biblical imperative used to comfort and encourage someone in the face of fear, suffering, or uncertainty. It conveys the command to have courage, be of good cheer, or remain confident because God is present and active.
pistis · Greek Noun
A profound, relational term signifying personal belief, trust, and reliance upon God. In this context, it is the active channel through which an individual receives the grace and power of God for restoration.
This miracle unfolds during a pivotal moment when Jesus is rushing to save a dying child, highlighting his compassion and power even amidst pressing needs and a demanding crowd. The woman's quiet, desperate faith stands in contrast to the public plea of Jairus, yet both are met with Jesus' immediate attention and healing.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, healing the sick, and calling disciples. This period sees a growing crowd following him, eager for his teachings and miracles.
Early 1st century AD
Jairus Seeks Jesus
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, finds Jesus amidst a large crowd and desperately pleads with him to come and heal his dying daughter. Jesus agrees to go with him.
Early 1st century AD
The Woman Touches Jesus' Garment
While Jesus is on his way to Jairus's house, a woman who has suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years secretly touches the fringe of his cloak, believing it will heal her. She is instantly cured.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Identifies the Woman
Jesus stops and asks who touched him, discerning that power had gone out from him. The woman, trembling, comes forward and explains what happened. Jesus reassures her, commending her faith.
This passage provides a parallel account of Jesus' interaction with the same woman, emphasizing his recognition of her faith and the completeness of her healing.
Luke 8:48Luke's Gospel also records this event, specifically highlighting Jesus' awareness of the 'virtue' going out from him and his direct address to the woman, affirming her faith.
Matthew 15:28In this instance, Jesus commends the faith of a Canaanite woman, stating, 'Woman, great is your faith!' This shows a pattern of Jesus highlighting and praising exceptional faith, even from those outside his immediate community.
Hebrews 11:6This verse from Hebrews speaks to the foundational principle that without faith, it is impossible to please God, reinforcing why Jesus emphasized the woman's faith as the key to her healing.
James 2:17James teaches that 'faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead,' which echoes the woman's proactive action of reaching out to Jesus, demonstrating her faith through an act.
barnesMatthew 9:22: "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."
But Jesus tutored him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort - Jesus silenced her fears, commended her faith, and sent her away in peace. He used an endearing appellation, calling her "daughter," a word of tenderness and affection, and dismissed her who had been twelve long and tedious year…
pulpitMatthew 9:22: "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."
Verse 22 - But Jesus turned him about. The order of the words shows that the thought centres, not on the action, but on the Person. It marks the transition of the narrative from the woman to Christ. Further, "to understand the greatness of Jesus' love, consider how a Pharisee might have treated one ceremonially so un…
Jesus doesn't just heal the woman; he sees her. In calling her "daughter," he not only tenderly acknowledges her faith but also publicly counters the shame and isolation her condition imposed. This word of affirmation transforms a hidden, fearful act into a moment of dignity and wholeness, showing that Jesus cares about our restoration on every level.
Jesus is in the midst of a powerful healing ministry, having just declared a paralytic man’s sins forgiven and then physically healed him. As He continues to move through the crowds, a synagogue ruler named Jairus interrupts, begging Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus immediately goes with him. During this urgent journey, a desperate woman who has suffered for twelve years secretly touches Jesus' cloak, believing it will make her well.
Jesus is in the midst of a powerful healing ministry, having just declared a paralytic man’s sins forgiven and then physically healed him. As He continues to move through the crowds, a synagogue ruler named Jairus interrupts, begging Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus immediately goes with him. During this urgent journey, a desperate woman who has suffered for twelve years secretly touches Jesus' cloak, believing it will make her well.
"Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well." — Jesus doesn't just heal the woman; he sees her. In calling her "daughter," he not only tenderly acknowledges her faith but also publicly counters the shame and isolation her condition imposed. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026