Matthew 9:20 - Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
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What does "Matthew 9:20" mean?
This verse from Matthew 9:20 describes a significant moment in the Gospels, often referred to as the "Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood." Let's break down what it means:
"Behold, a woman..." This signals that something important is about to be described.
"...who had an issue of blood for twelve years..." This specifies the woman's condition: she suffered from a continuous bleeding disorder for twelve years. In that time, this would have made her chronically weak, likely in pain, and ceremonially unclean. Levitical Law in the Old Testament (Leviticus 15) specified that a woman with such a flow of blood was considered unclean and everything she touched would also become unclean. This meant she would be ostracized from normal social and religious life.
"...came behind him..." This indicates that the woman approached Jesus from behind, likely trying to remain unnoticed. She may have been embarrassed or ashamed due to her condition, or she may have believed that if she were recognized as unclean, she might be stopped from approaching Him.
"...and touched the fringe of his garment;" The "fringe" (Greek: kraspedon) refers to the tassels or fringes on the corners of Jesus' garment. These fringes were specifically mandated in the Old Testament (Numbers 15:38-40) as a reminder of God's commandments. They were a sign of obedience to God's law. Touching this fringe, for her, was a desperate act of faith. She wasn't seeking a formal blessing or interaction; she believed simply touching his garment would heal her.
In summary, the verse depicts a woman who had suffered for a long time, was marginalized by her condition, and had immense faith in Jesus' power to heal. She believed that even a simple touch of his garment would be enough to cure her.
The verse highlights the following:
Jesus' compassion and healing power: The story shows Jesus as someone who is able to heal even the most desperate and outcast individuals.
The woman's faith: Her actions demonstrate a deep belief in Jesus' ability to heal her, even without a direct encounter. Her faith is what saves her.
The significance of Jesus' garment: While the healing ultimately came from Jesus' divine power, the fringe of his garment served as a point of contact, a physical representation of his connection to God and his obedience to the law. This highlights the interplay between faith and physical acts in the context of healing.
Social exclusion and desperation: The woman's condition made her an outcast, adding to the sense of desperation and the significance of her act of faith.
The next verse (Matthew 9:21) further emphasizes the woman's belief: "For she said to herself, 'If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.'"
Matthew 9:20 - Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
What does "Matthew 9:20" mean?
This verse from Matthew 9:20 describes a significant moment in the Gospels, often referred to as the "Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood." Let's break down what it means:
"Behold, a woman..." This signals that something important is about to be described.
"...who had an issue of blood for twelve years..." This specifies the woman's condition: she suffered from a continuous bleeding disorder for twelve years. In that time, this would have made her chronically weak, likely in pain, and ceremonially unclean. Levitical Law in the Old Testament (Leviticus 15) specified that a woman with such a flow of blood was considered unclean and everything she touched would also become unclean. This meant she would be ostracized from normal social and religious life.
"...came behind him..." This indicates that the woman approached Jesus from behind, likely trying to remain unnoticed. She may have been embarrassed or ashamed due to her condition, or she may have believed that if she were recognized as unclean, she might be stopped from approaching Him.
"...and touched the fringe of his garment;" The "fringe" (Greek: kraspedon) refers to the tassels or fringes on the corners of Jesus' garment. These fringes were specifically mandated in the Old Testament (Numbers 15:38-40) as a reminder of God's commandments. They were a sign of obedience to God's law. Touching this fringe, for her, was a desperate act of faith. She wasn't seeking a formal blessing or interaction; she believed simply touching his garment would heal her.
In summary, the verse depicts a woman who had suffered for a long time, was marginalized by her condition, and had immense faith in Jesus' power to heal. She believed that even a simple touch of his garment would be enough to cure her.
The verse highlights the following:
Jesus' compassion and healing power: The story shows Jesus as someone who is able to heal even the most desperate and outcast individuals.
The woman's faith: Her actions demonstrate a deep belief in Jesus' ability to heal her, even without a direct encounter. Her faith is what saves her.
The significance of Jesus' garment: While the healing ultimately came from Jesus' divine power, the fringe of his garment served as a point of contact, a physical representation of his connection to God and his obedience to the law. This highlights the interplay between faith and physical acts in the context of healing.
Social exclusion and desperation: The woman's condition made her an outcast, adding to the sense of desperation and the significance of her act of faith.
The next verse (Matthew 9:21) further emphasizes the woman's belief: "For she said to herself, 'If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well.'"