Knowing The Word in Luke 8:40-48

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter

8:40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Comments

All three Synoptic Gospels have these two stories with one inserted in the middle of the other. Jesus returned to Jewish Galilee. Unlike the country of the Gerasenes, he was welcomed with large crowds. Jairus, the ruler of the local synagogue, an honorable position, was responsible for arranging the services as to who would preach and lead prayers. Therefore, it was surprising that he prostrated himself on the ground in front of Jesus. Only Luke tells us Jairus’ daughter was twelve. Urgency was needed because she was dying.

People were pressing in around Jesus. In Greek the same verb is used for the thorns choking out the wheat in the Parable of the Sower. One wonders if Jairus got antsy at this slow down.

The woman’s disorder, while being distressing to her, also had financial and social consequences. A woman considered unclean, according to the cleanliness laws, was not permitted to touch anyone. To find a cure, she had spent all her money on doctors unable to help her. In desperation, she touched Jesus, specifically the tassel on the end of the square garment that hung down the back over the left shoulder, where Jesus was not able to see. Using the crowd for cover, she was able to sneak in for a quick touch. With the covert contact, her bleeding ceased, and she was immediately healed after twelve long years of suffering.

Why did Jesus ask who touched him? Didn’t he already know? Can power go out of Jesus by simply touching him, unaware of who it was? Jesus asked the question to make a point and to pose a mystery for the crowd to ponder. The woman then knew she had to confess and likely wondered if Jesus would take away her cure. She had the same posture before Jesus as did Jairus. Jesus tenderly addressed her: “Daughter.” Her, faith, Jesus declared, not a superstitious touching, made her well.

Application

Jesus made this incident more public than it needed to be. What is the benefit to the woman, the people, the disciples, and Jesus? What is the benefit to you? One more question to ponder: why does Jesus allow unclean people to touch him when the Old Testament laws are very clear about not touching a woman like this?

Prayer

Jesus, you are holy and pure. I am not. But you do not withhold your loving presence. Thank you for redeeming me a sinner and making me worthy to be with you forever.