Meaning of Matthew 9:20

This verse introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting a desperate act of faith born out of prolonged suffering and social isolation. The woman's twelve-year affliction with bleeding, likely a severe gynecological issue, rendered her ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:25-27). This meant she was ostracized, unable to participate in community life, touch others, or even enter the Temple. Her act of approaching Jesus from behind and touching the fringe of his garment is not one of disrespect, but rather a strategic and courageous attempt to access healing power without drawing direct attention, perhaps due to shame or fear of further condemnation. It signifies a profound belief that Jesus possessed a tangible, emanant healing force, a belief that transcended the legalistic barriers that had defined her existence for so long.

Context and Background

The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 9:18-19) describe Jesus raising Jairus's daughter from the dead. This miracle is occurring in the midst of a public event, with a crowd pressing around Jesus. The woman's illness is chronic and debilitating, a stark contrast to the suddenness of death. Her twelve years of suffering are significant; in biblical numerology, twelve often represents completeness or a full period, suggesting her suffering was a complete and overwhelming part of her life. Her action of touching the "fringe of his cloak" (Greek: kraspedon) is noteworthy. This fringe, or tassel, was prescribed by God for the Israelites on the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:38-40) as a reminder to obey God's commandments. Jesus, as the Messiah, would have worn these fringes, and for this woman to touch them was a profound act of seeking contact with divine authority and purity.

Key Themes and Messages

Several key themes emerge from this narrative:

• Desperate Faith: The woman's action is driven by extreme desperation. Her faith is active and audacious, a willingness to take a risk in the face of societal and religious barriers.
• Jesus' Healing Power: The verse implicitly points to Jesus as the source of divine healing. The fact that healing flows from him simply through her touch emphasizes the abundant and accessible nature of his power.
• Overcoming Impurity and Isolation: Her condition made her an outcast. Jesus' willingness to heal her, and his subsequent interaction with her, demonstrates his compassion for the marginalized and his ability to restore wholeness, both physically and socially.
• The "Edge" of the Garment: Touching the fringe signifies a desire to connect with the very essence of Jesus' divine commission and authority. It's a reaching for the sacred.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this passage speaks to the power of reaching out to Jesus in faith, even when one feels impure, unworthy, or isolated by circumstances. It encourages believers to approach God not with the expectation of perfection, but with a humble acknowledgment of need and a confident belief in His ability to meet that need. The woman's action can be seen as analogous to a believer reaching out to Jesus through prayer, worship, or the sacraments, seeking His touch of grace and healing in their lives. It underscores that God's power is not limited by our perceived unworthiness, but responds to genuine faith.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This incident fits within the larger narrative of Jesus' mission to bring redemption and restoration to humanity. His miracles are not mere displays of power but signs of the dawning of God's kingdom, where suffering, sickness, and sin are overcome. This particular miracle, occurring immediately after the raising of a child, demonstrates Jesus' authority over the spectrum of human afflictions, from death to chronic illness. It also foreshadows the broader inclusivity of the Gospel, where the once-excluded (like Gentiles and those deemed ritually impure) are brought into God's covenant through Christ.

Analogies

One analogy for this event is a person lost in a dense fog, desperately reaching out for a lighthouse beam, even just its faintest glimmer, believing it will guide them to safety. Another is a parched traveler in a desert, spotting a distant oasis and summoning their last reserves of strength to reach its life-giving waters. The woman's touch is like a desperate grasp for a lifeline, a tangible connection to the hope of salvation and well-being.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with numerous other passages that emphasize faith and healing:

• Mark 5:25-34: The parallel account in Mark provides more detail about the woman's inner thoughts and Jesus' awareness of the power leaving him.
• Matthew 14:36: "And all who touched it were made well." This echoes the efficacy of touching Jesus' garment.
• Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This verse directly encourages approaching God with boldness, similar to the woman's courageous act.
• Isaiah 53:5: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." This Old Testament prophecy points to Jesus' suffering as the source of our healing.
• 1 Peter 2:24: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." This New Testament passage directly links Jesus' suffering to our spiritual and physical healing.