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MARK 5:28 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 5:27Mark 5:29
“For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”
Because she thought, if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed — the thought reveals the woman's faith and also her misunderstanding of how Jesus' power works. She imagines a quasi-magical transfer of power through the garment — which is not quite the theology Jesus will articulate in verse 34. But the faith is real and the direction is correct: she believes Jesus can heal, she believes the contact with Jesus can transfer healing, and she acts on that belief. The theology will be clarified after the healing; the faith is the thing that matters. The story is not about the woman's perfect theology but about her desperate, specific, acted-upon faith.

Church Fathers on Mark 5:28

After the miracle of the demoniac, the Lord works another miracle, namely, in raising up the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue; the Evangelist, before narrating this miracle, says, 'And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto Him.'

Theophylact · 11th century

But we must understand, that what is added of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, took place when Jesus had again crossed the sea in a ship, though how long after does not appear; for if there were not an interval, there could be no time for the taking place of that which Matthew relates, concerning the feast at his own house; after which event, nothing follows immediately, except this concerning the daughter of the chief of the synagogue. For he has so put it…

Augustine · 4th century · de Con. Evan., 2, 28

Observe that the object of His question was that the woman should confess the truth of her long want of faith, of her sudden belief and healing, and so herself be confirmed in faith, and afford an example to others.

Bede · 8th century · in Marc., 2, 22
Read all 12 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Mark 5:28 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy