Commentary Mark 5:26 to 43 Miracles

Mark 5:26

Note on Mark 5:26

See Adam Clarke’s Commentary and People’s NT Commentary for a list of some physicians’ cures of this woman’s day. Suffice it to say that the medical treatments of this time were superstitious at best and barbaric at worst. I believe that if the Lord tarries and people look back on our medical treatments today, they will think just as badly of our treatments as we do of the medical treatments of this woman’s time.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 3 at Mark 5:26: The Greek word for “suffered” here is “PASCHO,” and it is also used to describe the sufferings of our Lord (Matthew 16:21, 17:12; and 1 Peter 2:23). This is in sharp contrast to the Greek word “EAO.” This was also translated “suffered” and “suffer” but simply means to “permit” (Strong’s Concordance) (Matthew 24:43; Luke 4:41, 22:51; Acts 14:16, 16:7; and 1 Corinthians 10:13). This woman had willfully submitted herself to treatments, which tormented her and took her money for twelve years, simply because there was no alternative.
When Jesus came on the scene offering the sure cure for her problem, it was not unreasonable for this woman to press through the crowd even on her hands and knees (see note 1 at Matthew 9:20) and suffer the shame and possible condemnation of the crowd for breaking the Levitical Law (see note 4 at Mark 5:33). She had endured much worse things pursuing man’s help in vain. Many people would do well to consider the expense and pain they have submitted themselves to at the hands of physicians and put at least an equal amount of effort into prayer, fasting, Bible study, or whatever it takes to release the healing power of God.

Mark 5:27

Note on Mark 5:27

Notice that Jesus didn’t touch this woman; she touched Jesus. Those with an aggressive type of faith make a demand on the Lord instead of just waiting for Him to do something for them. This is similar to the disciples in Matthew 14 when Jesus came to them walking on the water but made as though He would have passed by them (Mark 6:48). If they hadn’t cried out to Him, He would have walked right on by.
Many people don’t receive their miracles because they are too passive.
Notice also that this woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. The multitude was thronging Him. There is no way this woman could have just stooped over and touched the hem of His garment in a crowd like this. This implies she was on her hands and knees, pressing through the crowd. She was determined. That’s why she got healed.

Mark 5:28

Note on Mark 5:28

The Greek word that was translated as “whole” here is “SOZO.” This is the New Testament’s all-inclusive word for what Jesus accomplished. It is commonly used to denote forgiveness of sins, but as can be clearly seen in this passage, it also refers to the health of our bodies. Salvation includes forgiveness of sins but also encompasses healing, deliverance, and prosperity.
God’s power is governed by law (see my notes at Mark 5:30 and Luke 8:46). One of the laws of God is “you will have what you say” (Proverbs 18:20-21, Mark 11:23, and Romans 10:10). This woman plugged into God’s power by the words she said. Our tongues will work for us or against us. Many people are hung by their own tongues.
Matthew 9:21 says this woman “said within herself,” implying she didn’t speak this out loud, but this verse in Mark says that she spoke this. There is no contradiction. She did both.

Mark 5:29

Note on Mark 5:29

This healing took place instantly, and the woman could feel that it had happened.

Mark 5:30

Note on Mark 5:30

We can feel when virtue flows out of us, just as Jesus did.
Can it be that Jesus literally didn’t know who touched Him? Many people would just dismiss this as a rhetorical question, but I believe Jesus literally didn’t know who touched Him. This isn’t a claim against His divinity. Rather, this is simply illustrating that Jesus was a God-man. In His spirit, He was totally God and knew all things. But in His physical body, He was a man who had to grow in wisdom and knowledge (Luke 2:52). In Jesus’ physical mind, He didn’t know who touched Him. When He asked this question and the woman didn’t come forward immediately, He drew on the perfect knowledge in His spirit, got a word of knowledge, and singled this woman out. But His question was genuine.
This reveals another great truth. Our Lord didn’t size this woman up and evaluate whether or not she was holy or sincere enough to get healed. He didn’t even know she was coming. Healing doesn’t work by the feelings of the Lord toward us. If it did, then we would be healed, because He loves us. There are laws that govern the release of God’s healing power. This woman put those laws into effect and was healed. Just as electricity flows by laws, not the feelings of the electric company, so healing is governed by law.
We can’t call the power company and ask them to turn on our lights. They generate the power and make sure it is delivered to our residences, but it’s up to us to flip the switch. Likewise, the Lord has healed all our diseases and put that power on the inside of us, but we have to release it by our faith. Begging God to do what He has told us to do will not work any more than begging the electric company to turn on our lights will work.
See my note at Luke 8:46.

Mark 5:31

Note on Mark 5:31

The disciples were thinking physically, or carnally. They were only looking at all the people who physically touched Jesus, but Jesus was speaking of someone who touched Him by faith. Many people may go through the motions of seeking Jesus, but there is a life-saving difference when a person touches Jesus in faith. See my note at Luke 8:45.

Mark 5:32

Note on Mark 5:32

Notice that Jesus “looked round about” to see who had done this. He didn’t just instantly know. He had to look and perceive. As mentioned in my note at Mark 5:30, I believe this literally means Jesus didn’t know in advance that this woman was coming and who touched Him. He had that ability to know but hadn’t exercised it in advance.

Mark 5:33

Note on Mark 5:33

According to the Old Testament law, this woman was not supposed to be in public because she had this issue of blood (Leviticus 15). If she was to see someone, she was supposed to warn them of her uncleanness because if they touched her, they would become unclean also. Therefore, she had reason to fear what Jesus or some of these people might do to her if they found out her condition.
Leviticus 15:28-30 commanded an offering after a woman was cleansed of an issue of blood. Jesus didn’t mention that.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 4 at Mark 5:33: According to the Levitical law, not only the person having an issue of blood was unclean, but also those who touched the unclean person became unclean themselves (Leviticus 15:19-33). Those who were unclean were responsible for warning others of their uncleanness or at least avoiding public exposure, and they could expect very harsh treatment if detected. This could be the reason for this woman fearing and trembling as she confessed what had happened to her. Luke said she confessed this to Jesus before all the people (Luke 8:47).
It is also possible that this was a godly fear or awe that this woman experienced as she realized the magnitude of what had happened to her. Nearly everyone in Scripture who experienced the presence of God in a strong way or had the power of God manifested to them reacted with this awe (Exodus 3:6, 19:16, 20:18-20; Judges 6:22-23, 13:22; Psalms 89:7; Daniel 10:7, 11-12; Matthew 17:6; Luke 8:25, 35; Acts 9:6; and Revelation 1:17).

Mark 5:34

Note on Mark 5:34

Here is that great Greek word for salvation, “SOZO,” being applied to physical healing again. This proves Jesus purchased healing for us in His atonement.
Notice that it was this woman’s faith that made her whole. Jesus didn’t just do this for her. She had a strong, active faith that reached out and took what was available. This is the type of faith all of us should strive for (Jude 3).

Mark 5:35

Note on Mark 5:35

Most people believe death puts people beyond God’s ability to intervene. But Jesus proved that He was able to raise people from the dead just as easily as He healed their bodies.
Jairus could have reacted two ways to this situation with the woman who had the issue of blood. He knew time was critical, and he could have been upset with this woman for the delay that possibly cost his daughter her life. But he could also have taken courage and had his faith bolstered seeing such a miraculous healing take place before his eyes. We always have a choice as to how we process what happens in our lives. We can choose to be bitter or better.

Mark 5:36

Note on Mark 5:36

Why didn’t Jesus just raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead? Then the problem would have been solved. Why did He tell Jairus to believe? Why did He say “only believe”? It’s because Jairus’ faith was an important part of this miracle; people can believe and disbelieve at the same time (see my note at Luke 8:50).
Most people don’t have this concept. They think if they have faith, then there won’t be any unbelief. And if they have any unbelief, then there isn’t any faith. That’s not what God’s Word teaches. People can have faith and unbelief at the same time.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 17:20 that the reason they couldn’t cast the demon out of the boy was because of their unbelief. He didn’t say it was because of their little faith (as the New International Version renders that verse). Otherwise, His illustration that He goes on to give in that verse wouldn’t make sense. He said if their faith was as small as a mustard seed, they could cast a mountain into the sea with just their words.
A small amount of faith is sufficient to accomplish any miracle if it’s not negated, cancelled, or diluted by unbelief. Instead of just trying to build faith, we need to limit the amount of unbelief in our lives. See my notes at Matthew 17:20-21.
Jesus countered Jairus’ fear and told him to only believe.

Mark 5:37

Note on Mark 5:37

It was common when people were raised from the dead for the person who raised them from the dead to sperate themselves from unbelief. Elijah did this (1 Kings 17:19-22). Elisha did this (2 Kings 4:33). Peter did this (Acts 9:40). Jesus was hindered in performing mighty works in His hometown because of the people’s unbelief (Mark 6:5-6). If He had allowed the crowd or even some of the family friends into the room, they could have hindered this miracle. See my note at Luke 8:51.

Mark 5:38

Note on Mark 5:38

The Jews thought it was a sign of great love and respect to bewail the death of a loved one. For this reason, they actually hired professional mourners who would come to their house and cry over the death of the loved one.

Mark 5:39

Note on Mark 5:39

No doubt, this girl was dead as we know it, not just asleep. But from God’s perspective, death is similar to sleep. It’s not final. We will awaken someday. We could awaken from death at the final resurrection, or it could be in just a few moments, as in this case where Jesus awoke her early. But for those who operate in God’s faith, raising a person from the dead is as easy as awakening someone from sleep.

Mark 5:40

Note on Mark 5:40

Here were God’s own creations, ridiculing Him for His stance of faith. The Lord would have been righteous to destroy them all, just as Elisha did when he was mocked (2 Kings 2:23-24). But that’s not what He came to do. He came to save us, not judge us (Luke 9:55-56).
He put all this unbelief outside because it could have hindered the performance of this miracle. See my notes at Mark 6:5-6.

Mark 5:41

Note on Mark 5:41

There was no rebuking of the devil or death. He simply commanded her to arise and she did. What a display of power!

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 1 at Mark 5:41: This was an Aramaic phrase that means “maiden, I say unto thee, arise” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Aramaic words were used elsewhere in Scripture (Matthew 27:46; Mark 7:34, and 15:34) although reasons for their use are not given. It becomes evident from a historical perspective, however, that Aramaic was the language most commonly spoken by Jesus and large numbers of Jews.
The Aramaic language uses the same alphabet as the Jewish language but differs somewhat in pronunciation and grammar. The Assyrian language, which was spoken in Babylon, was also closely related. When the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity, Aramaic was the language adopted by them to use in everyday affairs and business. Hebrew Scriptures were also translated into Aramaic.
Just as in modern English literature when foreign words or expressions are inserted when the author feels an English word does not adequately express what he is trying to communicate, Matthew and Mark may have felt their Aramaic words more correctly rendered their meaning than any Greek word.

Mark 5:42

Note on Mark 5:42

This was a total miracle. For the girl to come back to life was miraculous. We know she was dead for some period of time, so to come back with no brain damage was even more miraculous. Then to be able to walk and eat was even more miraculous. Whatever the sickness was that killed her, she came back without it.

Mark 5:43

Note on Mark 5:43

If people’s unbelief could have prevented this miracle, then people’s unbelief could have stolen it away. I believe the Lord told Jairus and his wife not to tell people of this miracle so that they wouldn’t speak out their unbelief and cause their daughter to relapse.
This girl’s resurrection was totally miraculous, but notice that she now needed natural food. There is always a blending of the natural and supernatural in walking with the Lord. She was raised supernaturally but sustained naturally.

Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.