Movatterモバイル変換

If only I touch His garments
Touching the garments of a rabbi or holy man was believed to convey a blessing or healing, rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the time. The hem of a garment, or the tassels (tzitzit), held particular significance in Jewish tradition, as seen inNumbers 15:38-39, where they serve as a reminder of God's commandments. This act of reaching for Jesus' garment symbolizes her faith in His divine power and authority. The act of touching is also significant in the context of ritual purity laws, as her condition would have rendered her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27), yet she believed in the transformative power of Jesus.

I will be healed
The woman's statement is a declaration of faith, expressing her belief in Jesus' ability to heal her. This reflects a common theme in the Gospels, where faith is often a prerequisite for healing (Matthew 9:22,Mark 10:52). Her confidence in Jesus' power to heal is a testament to His reputation as a miracle worker and the fulfillment of messianic prophecies, such as those found inIsaiah 53:4-5, which speak of the Messiah bearing our infirmities. Her faith is rewarded, as seen in the subsequent verses, where Jesus acknowledges her faith and grants her healing.

- Her repeated confession shows determined faith cultivated over years of disappointment (Mark 5:25-26).

- Like the persistent widow who “kept coming” to the judge (Luke 18:1-5), she refuses to stop believing.

- Speaking truth to herself echoes the psalmist: “Why, my soul, are you downcast?… Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:5).

- Continuous affirmation guards the heart against doubt and keeps her focus on the Lord (Proverbs 4:23).

- Faith drives her to action; she will not settle for watching from a distance (James 2:17-18).

- She believes even the slightest contact with Jesus is enough, mirroring the centurion’s confidence in a mere word (Matthew 8:8-10).

- Her approach is humble and unobtrusive, trusting Jesus’ welcoming promise: “Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

- Drawing near physically reflects the invitation to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16).

- The hem bore the tassels commanded inNumbers 15:38-39, reminding Israel of God’s commandments and pointing to His authority.

-Malachi 4:2 foresaw Messiah bringing “healing in His wings [edges],” a prophecy many linked to the fringe of His cloak.

- Others would later do the same: “All who touched Him were healed” (Matthew 14:36); the power flows from His person, not the cloth (Luke 8:46).

- The scene echoesActs 19:11-12, where items touched by Paul conveyed healing, underscoring that God’s power can work through tangible points of contact.

- Her statement is certain, not tentative—faith appropriates what Christ freely offers (Mark 1:40-41).

- Healing includes physical restoration and ceremonial cleansing from impurity (Leviticus 15:25-27), enabling full reintegration into worship.

- Jesus later affirms her confidence: “Daughter, your faith has healed you” (Mark 5:34).

- Ultimately, this foreshadows the greater healing secured at the cross: “By His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5;1 Peter 2:24).

The woman’s continual self-talk fuels tenacious faith; her resolve moves her to reach for even the fringe of Jesus’ cloak, convinced of His power to make her whole. Her certainty is rewarded instantly, proving that unwavering trust in Christ’s person and work brings the healing—physical, spiritual, and social—that only He can give.

Parallel Commentaries ...