COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 55
JAIRUS AND HIS DAUGHTER, #3
THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD, #2
“ Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes? 31 And His disciples said unto Him, Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me? 32 And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth. 34 And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:30-34; Matt 9:22; Luke 8:45-48)
INTRODUCTION
We are in the midst of an account of Jesus doing His Father’s works, going about doing good. On a single occasion, two great works will be done – twin demonstrations of Divine power. Both take place on people with a twelve-year history. A young girl will be raised who was twelve years old and died. A mature woman will be healed that had an issue of blood for twelve years. Both cases were hopeless from a human point of view. We can see these miracles as Jesus showing compassion. We can also see them as occasions for God to receive glory. They can also be seen as an index to the Divine nature. They also are sterling examples of the kind of works God plans, determines, and lays out before hand – for that is the kind of works Jesus did (John 10:37; 14:12). We will also see the intensely personal nature of Jesus’ works. His virtue is able to focus on a single individual, even though He may be surrounded by many people. As great as He is, He will hold a conversation with the lowly, conferring peace upon them, and sending them away with joy and confidence. He will not allow a believer to get lost in the crowd, even though men are prone to do so. Oh, how very much is to be learned as we peruse the Gospel accounts. They are like interpreters of the Savior, and commentaries on the great salvation wrought out for and in us.
WHO TOUCHED MY CLOTHES?
“ Mk 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes? 31 And His disciples said unto Him, Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?”
Surrounded by a throng, Jesus is on his way to the house of Jairus, where a crisis has arisen. His daughter is dying. A diseased woman has made her way through the press and touched the hem of His garment, reasoning in herself that the touch will make her whole – and, indeed, that is precisely what happened. Now we will see the reaction of Jesus.
KNOWING IN HIMSELF. Jesus is acutely aware of His own Person. He knows what is hurled at Him by the devil, and He knows when virtue goes out of Him to bless another. As soon as this woman touched Jesus, He knew what had happened. He lived on a spiritual level where what was within did not escape His attention because of what was without. David knew when his soul was “cast down” (Psa 42:5, 11; 43:5). Jesus knew when His soul was “sorrowful” (Matt 26:28), and when it was “troubled” (John 12:27). He was, so to speak, in tune with His inward man. He immediately knows “in Himself” what has occurred. He was not like Samson, who did not know the Lord had departed from him (Judges 16:20). Nor, indeed, was he like king Saul from whom the “Spirit of the Lord departed,” and he was not aware of it (1 Sam 6:14).
This is one of the dangers of being spiritually asleep. In such a condition one does not know when the Spirit is striving, the devil is tempting, or strength is leaving. A desensitized soul is tottering on the brink of eternal ruin, and does not even know it. When this sensitivity is lost, the individual has exchanged his soul for some of the world’s baubles (Matt 16:26).
VIRTUE HAD GONE OUT OF HIM. Earlier it is said of Jesus, “And the whole multitude sought to touch Him: for there went virtue out of Him, and healed them all” (Luke 6:19). Other versions read, “power had gone out of Him.” NKJV And, indeed, the word translated “virtue” is the word ordinarily translated “power” (dunamis). There is, as I see it, a reason why the word is translated “virtue” here. This word accents the fact that Christ’s power was inherent – it was an essential part of Him. The disciples healed diseases by delegated power – but “virtue” did not go out of their own persons. The word “virtue” personalizes Divine power, accenting that it is a Divine quality devoted to “doing good.” Now Jesus perceived that some of this gracious and personal power has gone out from Him. Rest assured that this did not diminish that Divine supply.
WHO TOUCHED MY CLOTHES? Luke says Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” In Mark’s account, the disciples also say Jesus had asked “Who touched Me?” This accents that virtue went out of Jesus Himself, not His clothes. His Person sanctified what He wore. The heart of the Savior is sensitive to any person who approaches Him in faith, desiring to be blessed by Him. The touch of faith is always discerned by the Lord. Jesus reacted to faith just as His Father, who once said to Israel, “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain” (Isa 45:19). Luke tells us that when Jesus asked who touched His clothes, the people “all denied” (Lk 8:45). No doubt many had touched his clothes, yet none of them was willing to own up to it. They must have interpreted His inquiry as a threat, suggesting He did not want the people to get so close to Him. That is the way natural men reason.
DO YOU SEE THE MULTITUDE? The disciples saw that it was not possible that only one person in this pressing multitude of people could have touched Jesus. But Jesus was not speaking of a mere physical touch. Luke says that “Peter and they that were with Him” said, “Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?” (Lk 8:45). So far as they were concerned, Jesus was heading for Jairus’ house. They were blissfully unaware of any other quest for Jesus among the people. How crude they were in those early days, before Jesus ascended on high that He might “fill all things,” including them (Eph 4:10). Even though it is not justified, some of God’s people are still making foolish observations.
I PERCEIVE. In stark contradiction of the words of Peter and those with him, Jesus replied, “SOMEBODY HATH TOUCHED ME, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me” (Lk 8:46). One version reads, “Somebody DID touch Me!” NASB Someone got closer! Someone was more intent on obtaining a blessing! Someone reached higher, went further, and believed more! Someone felt a greater need for the Lord’s blessing, and was more convinced of His power than most of the others.
Such faith is always recognized by Jesus. This text confirms what the discerning already know – namely that Jesus does not see everyone the same. The people who affirm that He loves everyone the same cannot account for this marvelous distinction. “Somebody hath touched ME!” Here was a single person who received more than the others, and was therefore recognized above all of the others. We can make it our aim to be such people.
THE GRACIOUS CONFRONTATION
“ 31 And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 32 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth.”
HE LOOKED. Jesus must have known who the person was who touched Him. After all, He knew the thoughts of people (Lk 6:8). Later He knew the chief priests had delivered Him up because of “envy” (Mk 15:10). It is stated that “He knew all men” (John 2:24), and “knew what was in man” (John 2:25). Before Judas ever betrayed Him, Jesus “knew who would betray Him” (John 13:11). However, the heart of Jesus was stirred by this woman, and He looked about to see her, that He might bring a morsel of comfort to her. From the standpoint of human achievement, she had not done anything worthy of reporting. Yet, Jesus looked for the person “that had done this thing!” Her’s was a distinguishing work, and Jesus would not let it pass by without public recognition. Besides this, He was no doubt doing this for Jairius’ sake also, who in just a few moments will hear the words, “Thy daughter is dead” (Mk 5:35).
SHE SAW SHE COULD NOT BE HID. Luke says the woman “saw that she could not be hid” (Lk 8:47). The searching eye of Jesus will find her, for “His eyes” are “over the righteous,” and He will not pass them by (1 Pet 3:12). One version reads she saw “she had not escaped His notice.” NASB He who came to “seek and to save the lost” will surely find her (Lk 19:10). She sensed the truth of this and did not seek to hide from Him. She did not run like Adam and Eve, but let herself be discovered. That is the unwavering trait of the elect. They want to be seen by Jesus. They want to be known by Him. They want to be in His presence.
FEARING AND TREMBLING. Although she sensed the Lord’s power, perhaps she was not yet introduced to His gracious disposition. According to the Law she had been “unclean” when she touched the hem of His garment. Now, she would receive the confirmation that He was “full of grace and truth” as well. These days we do not hear much about “fearing and trembling.” However, these qualities are frequently found among those who confront the Lord, and often those who are sent forth by Him. The Corinthians received Titus with “fear and trembling” (2 Cor 7:15). Servants are to be obedient to their masters “with fear and trembling,” in “singleness of heart, as unto Christ” (Eph 6:5). We are all to work out our “own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). Once David confessed, “My flesh trembleth for fear of Thee” (Psa 119:120). The Lord went so far as to identify the kind of person that will gain His gracious attention: “him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word” (Isa 66:2). When Saul of Tarsus faced the glorified Christ, He trembled (Acts 9:6). When the Philippian jailor faced Paul and Silas, he trembled (Acts 16:29). When Paul spoke as Christ’s ambassador, he did so “in much trembling” (1 Cor 2:3). Speaking through the Spirit, David admonished the people to “rejoice with trembling” (Psa 2:11). When an angel appeared to Daniel, announcing that he was “a man greatly beloved,” Daniel said, “I stood trembling” (Dan 10:11). The dreadful absence of this kind of spirit betrays people are at a distance from he Lord. Luke says this woman “came trembling” (Lk 8:47).
The “trembling” factor is owing to our flesh – our mortal frame. No person can knowingly stand in the presence of Christ or of God without the human nature being disturbed. The part of us that is from Adam still recoils at the presence of the Lord. Yet, as seen in this anonymous woman, faith can overcome the trembling of the flesh.
KNOWING WHAT WAS DONE IN HER. There was no further evidence of the woman’s infirmity, and therefore she “knew what was done in her.” This did not make her shout for joy, but caused her to fear and tremble in the presence of “the Lord of all.” There is something sobering about the awareness of the work of the Lord within.
FELL DOWN BEFORE HIM. She assumed a humble posture before commencing her confession and giving her account. She knew she was in the presence of one greater than herself, and thus she would speak within the framework of that perception.
TOLD HIM ALL THE TRUTH. Luke says she “declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately” (Luke 8:47). She thus told Him of her ailment, how she had reasoned about it, what she had done, and how she had experienced “immediate” healing – “all the truth.” A heartless person might conjecture that all of this was not necessary. After all, the Lord knew all of these things already. However, the Lord also takes delight in His people, the confession of their faith, and the obedience of their faith. The candidness of the woman no doubt brought great delight to the Lord, confirmed the faith of Jairus, delivered a rebuke to the disciples for their hasty words to Jesus, and inspired the multitude that was following Jesus. There is something about the testimony of the “great things” God has done for a person that is compelling (Mk 5:19). Notice how shameless people become when they know what the Lord has done in them. Such knowledge strengthens the will, loosens the tongue, and drives out timidity. It is good for us also to tell the Lord all the truth concerning what He has done in us.
THE DIVINE EXPLANATION AND BLESSING
“ 34 And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
There is a crowd around Jesus, and He is going to another man’s house. Yet, He pauses to speak to this dear, yet unknown, woman. It is His manner to speak to those who are often spurned by others – like the woman at the well (John 4:9-26), the palsied man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:6), Bartimaeus (Mk 10:51), and others.
DAUGHTER. This woman was a Jew – a descendant of Abraham. Jesus referred to one other woman as “daughter” – the woman who had been bowed together for eighteen years with a “spirit of infirmity” (Lk 13:16). All three gospels that record this incident mention Jesus calling this woman “Daughter” ((Matt 9:22; Mk 5:34; Lk 8:48). What a tender and endearing term it is! It speaks of acceptance, recognition, and being precious in the sight of the Lord.
Both Matthew and Luke add that Jesus said, “be of good comfort” (Matt 9:22; Lk 8:48). These words were intended to calm her spirit, for she was in a state of “fear and trembling.” You may be assured that this word from Jesus, as all of His other words, “was with power” (Lk 4:32). There is a transcendent “comfort” that exceeds the consolation of knowing you have been healed. It is the “comfort” that comes from knowing what has been done by Jesus is good and righteous, and will stand in the court of heaven as being proper. In this world, “stolen waters are sweet” (Prov 9:17), but it is not so in God’s kingdom. What this woman received was pure water, and thus she could be comforted that the Master had graciously and righteously blessed her. This is, of course, a vivid picture of our salvation, in which God is both “just and the Justifier of him that believeth” (Rom 3:26).
THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE. The manner in which the Lord speaks to this woman suggests she may not have realized the significance of her own faith – or the pivotal position faith occupies in the Divine scheme of things. Prior to Christ, there had not been much said about “faith.” In fact, the word is only mentioned two times from Genesis to Malachi (Deut 32:20; Hab 2:4). The word “believe,” in all of its varied forms (believe, believed, believing, believeth, believers, and believest) is only mentioned forty three times in Genesis through Malachi – and twenty four of them refer to not believing. Several times believing is referred to as an objective – something in the future (ten times). It is no wonder that Jesus drew attention to this woman’s faith. She needed to know she was not healed because she followed the correct procedure – like the ceremony associated with the cessation of a flow of blood (Lev 15:25-33). It was not because she touched His garment, or made any physical contact with Him. It was her faith that opened the “wells of salvation” so she could be refreshed from them.
GO IN PEACE. Both Mark and Luke record this expression: “Go in peace.” That is, go on your way with a settled spirit, entertaining no doubts, and fully confident that all is well.” It is as though Jesus said, “You have done the right thing, and no one will be able to charge you with wrong doing.” With this word, the peace itself must have come to the woman. He did for her what He did for His disciples later: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Your tenure in this world should confirm the rarity of such a peace. We are often surrounded by troubled and fearful hearts – perhaps even possessed of such ourselves. However, the Lord can “speak peace unto His people” (Psa 85:8), sending them on their way in a state of spiritual calmness and serenity. The value of such a blessing cannot be overstated. It is not enough to receive a great and even miraculous benefit from the Lord. Such times are generally followed by great joy and exhilaration, like Israel on the banks of the Red Sea. But differing sets of circumstances will pursue us following those great deliverances, and they will not always be pleasant. There will be times when there will be no water or bread in the wilderness, and people will be tempted to murmur, easily forgetting the deliverances they experienced. However, the peace of God “shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). Going “in peace” is a vital part of spiritual life, and is to be treasured.
BE WHOLE. Matthew adds, “And the woman was made whole from that hour” (Matt 9:22). When she touched the border of Christ’s clothes, “her flow of blood stopped” NKJV (Lk 8:44). This word – “Be whole!” – confirmed it would never return. Any other infirmity she may have had was also resolved that hour. She would require no further appointments with the physicians where she had expended all of her living.
“Be whole of thy plague!” Other versions read “be healed of your affliction,” NKJV “be freed from your suffering,” NIV “be well of thy scourge,” DARBY and “be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.” AMPLIFIED If we were addressing the matter of salvation, this would be equivalent to saying, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Rom 6:12). It is another way of saying “keep the faith” that made you whole in the first place, or “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Col 2:6). The same faith that brought the blessing will keep the blessing. The same faith that obtained freedom will maintain freedom. It is ever “by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8).