THE WOMAN WHO TOUCHED HIS GARMENT: Healing and Freedom

 

When was the last time you hit rock bottom? What did you do when you felt completely helpless? In times of desperation, we are pushed to our limits, often willing to risk anything just to find a way out.

The unnamed woman with a bleeding condition (Matt. 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48) was in exactly that situation. She had tried everything. She had gone to everyone. Nothing worked. So when she finally had the chance to see Jesus, she seized it immediately! Her trust in Christ was so great that she believed even touching the hem of His garment would be enough.

SHAME. SUFFERING. SOLITUDE.

In her time, a woman during her period was considered ceremonially unclean until it ended (Lev. 15:19–30). Everything she touched, sat on, or lay upon was declared unclean as well. People would avoid her so as not to become defiled themselves. She was restricted from entering the Temple. It was difficult enough to have a period back then—but imagine her situation: this woman’s bleeding never stopped.

She wasn’t just battling a physical illness; she was socially shunned and religiously excluded. Her condition was humiliating. In those days, a husband could divorce his wife if she couldn’t bear children. Perhaps she had been abandoned because of her illness—or maybe she had never been able to marry at all.

Mark tells us: “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse” (Mark 5:26). She had exhausted her resources and her hope.

And this wasn’t for a year or two—not even for a decade. She had endured twelve long years. Interestingly, Jairus’ daughter—the very child Jesus was on His way to heal in this same story—was twelve years old (Luke 8:42). The length of the girl’s life equaled the length of the woman’s suffering.

REVERSAL. RESTORATION. RECOGNITION.

Despite her desperation, the woman believed Christ was the answer (Mark 5:27–28). Some suggest she reached for the tassels on His garment—the ones commanded in the law as a reminder of God’s commands (Num. 15:37–40). Whether it was the tassels or simply the edge of His cloak, all she wanted was the smallest touch of Christ’s clothing—something no one else would even notice. To her, even that was enough. That’s how deep her faith ran.

But why did she try to slip in unnoticed? Why not ask Him openly? Because of her condition, anyone she touched would be declared unclean. By sneaking in, she hoped to avoid shaming herself before the crowd—or “contaminating” the Teacher. She had been an outcast for years, so it’s no wonder she wanted to stay hidden. She probably felt she didn’t even deserve His attention.

Yet her “secret mission” succeeded. With one simple touch, she was instantly healed (Luke 8:44). Freedom surged through her body (Mark 5:29). At the same moment, Jesus sensed power had gone out from Him (Mark 5:30). Normally, touching Him should have made Him unclean—but instead, the reverse happened. She was cleansed.

And then, in the middle of a pressing crowd and an urgent mission to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus stopped. This is the only recorded healing of Jesus that seemed “unintentional.” Why ask who touched Him when He surely knew? Because God sometimes asks questions to draw us into the open.

The woman came trembling (Mark 5:33), likely expecting rebuke. Instead, Christ gave her dignity. Instead of humiliation, she received recognition. Instead of condemnation, she was given peace. “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) What a powerful reversal! For twelve years she had been labeled unclean, excluded, and shamed. But Jesus called her daughter. Publicly. Before everyone. No longer an outcast—she was restored. No longer defiled—she was made whole. No longer alone—she belonged.

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Maybe you feel trapped in a hopeless situation. Maybe you’ve been waiting for healing or breakthrough for years. Perhaps you’ve been told your case is hopeless. Perhaps shame and failure cling to you, and you suffer silently. There is still hope in Jesus. Keep praying. Keep believing. Healing may come quickly—or not at all in the way you expect—but you are never alone in the fight. In Christ, you don’t need to hide anymore. He invites everyone to come near: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28). Stay Curious.