Mark 5:30 — Community Reflections

MARK 5:30 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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?”

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, who touched my clothes? — the realization that power has gone out from him is described as a perception (epignous) — Jesus is aware of the healing in the same way the woman is aware of the healing, through internal experience. The power going out communicates the cost of healing — it is not effortless. The turn around and the question who touched my clothes establishes that Jesus is aware that the touch was intentional rather than accidental, even though he cannot immediately identify the person in the crowd. The question initiates the encounter that will name the woman's faith and offer complete restoration.

Church Fathers on Mark 5:30

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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