Explanation for:

Matthew

9 :

22

But Jesus turning and seeing her, said: Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What can we say about Christ? He did not intend for His works to remain hidden; instead, He revealed them for numerous reasons. Some foolish individuals claim that Jesus Christ acted out of a desire for recognition. They question why Christ revealed His deeds instead of keeping them secret. What do you say, you wicked and lawless one? Is He who seeks glory also the one who silences others and does not boast about His countless miracles? Why then does He expose the woman who was bleeding? First, He liberates her from fear, ensuring that she, burdened by guilt as if she had stolen a gift, does not live in torment. Second, He corrects her belief that she could remain unnoticed. Third, He makes her faith known to all, encouraging others to strive for the same. Moreover, demonstrating His omniscience is just as remarkable as halting her bleeding. Lastly, the synagogue leader, susceptible to losing his faith and everything by extension, is guided by the example of his wife. Indeed, those who arrived declared, “Do not trouble the Teacher, for the girl is dead,” and those in the house ridiculed Jesus when He remarked that the girl was merely sleeping. To caution the father against wavering, Christ makes the wife known. And to illustrate that the father of the young girl was among the most rough-hearted of men, listen to what Christ tells him: “Fear not; only believe, and she shall be made whole” (Luke 8:50). The Saviour intentionally takes His time, arriving at the house only after the maiden has passed away, to assure that it is clear He has resurrected her. He also speaks with the woman for an extended time, allowing for the girl’s death and for the messengers to arrive with the news, declaring, “Do not trouble the Master.” The Evangelist also notes, “While He yet spake, there came one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, 'Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master'” (Luke 8:49). Christ desired them to be fully convinced of the young woman's death, so they would not doubt her resurrection later. This is consistent with His actions; He approached Lazarus three days following his death. These motives explain why He made the woman known and encouraged her with “Be of good comfort,” just as He reassured the paralytic with “Take heart” (Matthew 9:2). The woman was consumed by fear, hence His call to courage, and He refers to her as a daughter—because her faith has made her so. He praises her, declaring, “Thy faith hath saved thee.” Luke provides further insight into this woman, stating that when she approached for healing, Christ did not immediately identify her but first asked, “Who touched Me?” (Luke 8:45). Then, when Peter and those with him remarked, “Master, the multitudes throng You and press on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” (indicating that Jesus truly wore flesh and rejected all pride as the crowd literally pressed against Him), He reiterated, “Someone touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me” (v. 46). He framed His answer to meet the simplistic beliefs of those present. This was to encourage the woman to confess her actions willingly. He did not seek to expose her but intended for her to acknowledge her deed on her own, demonstrating that He was aware of her situation without appearing suspicious for initiating the conversation. Do you observe how the woman stands out compared to the ruler of the synagogue? She neither hindered Christ nor held Him back but approached Him with just the edges of her fingers; although she was the last to seek Him, she was the first to leave healed. Meanwhile, the ruler of the synagogue brought the Healer directly into his home, while for this woman, a mere touch sufficed. Though she was bound by illness, faith empowered her. See how the Saviour comforts her: “Thy faith hath saved thee.” Had He revealed her condition out of personal ambition, He would not have added such affirming words. Instead, He spoke to teach faith to the synagogue ruler, to commend the woman, and to bring her joy and healing beyond mere physical recovery. It is evident that Christ acted not to seek His own glory, but to elevate her, correcting others along the way; He could have been glorified without this miracle since He had performed numerous greater acts, and intended to perform even more magnificent ones. Conversely, had He not revealed the woman’s story, she would have remained in the shadows and denied significant recognition. Therefore, the Lord unveiled her, praised her, alleviated her fears (for she approached trembling), encouraged her, and after restoring her health, urged her to pursue peace, saying, “Go in peace.”"},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"She is a daughter because her belief has restored her. He did not say, \\"Your faith will save you,\\" but instead stated, \\"Your faith has saved you.\\" Truly, you are already healed because of your faith."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Initially, along with the apostles, a multitude of sinners experienced healing. While it was fitting for the chosen ones as defined by the law to be prioritized, the preceding miracle unfolded before the eyes of the woman suffering from hemorrhage, overshadowing tax collectors and sinners. She held a steadfast belief that if she could merely reach out and touch the hem of the Lord's garment, she would be restored. Despite being clad in garments stained with suffering and marked by inner turmoil, she approached with unwavering faith to make contact with the edge of His robe. Among the apostles, she undeniably touched the grace of the Holy Spirit that flowed from the body of Christ and was instantly healed. The Lord praised her for her faith and resolve, for what was intended for Israel had been extended to the Gentiles."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The daughter of the synagogue leader represents the Jewish nation, while the woman signifies the Gentile Church. The Lord Jesus Christ, who was born into the Jewish lineage, revealed Himself in the flesh to the Jews; however, He commissioned His followers to reach out to the Gentiles, though He did not physically go to them Himself. His earthly ministry was centered in Judea. Thus, the apostle explains that Christ was appointed as a servant to the circumcised, to affirm God's truth and fulfill the promises made to the patriarchs. As it was declared to Abraham, \\"All nations of the earth shall be blessed in thy seed\\" (Genesis 22:18), He also extended His grace to the Gentiles so they might glorify God (Romans 15:8-9). Hence, Christ was sent to the Jewish people and was on His way to restore the ruler's daughter. Yet, it is the woman who intervenes and receives healing first through her faith, while the Savior appears unaware. This raises the question: Why does He ask, \\"Who touched Me?\\" (Mark 5:30-31)? This apparent lack of knowledge from God suggests a profound mystery, hinting at a deeper truth, as He who knows all chooses to engage in this biblical enigma. What does it signify? The healed Gentile Church, which does not manifest before Christ in bodily form, is echoed in the Psalms: \\"The people whom I have not known serve me; by one rumor of me they obey me\\" (Psalm 17:44-45). The entire cosmos heard and believed; yet, the Jewish people saw and condemned Him to the cross, but even they will eventually come to Him. In a similar manner, the Jews will ultimately believe, but this will unfold at the culmination of the ages."},{"author-name":"Nilus of Sinai","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896139a28b91cf72655d2_Nilus%20of%20Sinai.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The woman mentioned in the Gospel (Matthew 9:20), who brought impurity to the earth through her flow of unclean blood, symbolizes every impure soul. She, filled with faith, reached out to touch the fringe of the Lord’s garment, and in that moment, her bleeding ceased. This illustrates that anyone who feels weighed down by their sins, yet believes and calls upon Christ, the Son of God, will find the light of righteousness illuminating their path, granting forgiveness and healing from spiritual affliction (Matthew 4:2)."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Matthew, known for his succinctness, omitted the events that transpired in between, focusing on a single miracle; however, Luke, for the sake of thoroughness, included all the details. This can be found in the preceding chapter (see Luke 8:43-48). According to Luke, she was healed (Luke 8:47). It was at the moment she touched the hem of His garment, not merely when Christ addressed her, saying, 'Courage, daughter,' as noted by both Mark (Mark 5:29) and Luke (Luke 8:44)."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Saviour manifests her not out of a desire for renown, but to demonstrate her faith for our benefit and to encourage belief in the ruler of the synagogue. He addresses her with boldness, for she was filled with fear, akin to someone who feels they have taken something precious without permission. He tenderly refers to her as “daughter,” acknowledging her faithfulness. This illustrates that her faith was the means by which she received grace, even though His garments were holy. It is reported that this woman erected a statue of the Saviour, near which a plant grew that aided women suffering from bleeding. However, during the reign of the wicked Julian, this statue was destroyed."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Feeling completely restored, she quickly blended into the crowd, unnoticed by others, though the Lord of Hosts perceived everything. For the glory of God and to illustrate the true nature of humble, saving faith, He did not wish to leave her nameless. To overlook her healing would suggest that Christ’s garments possessed inherent power. St. Chrysostom inquires, \\"Why did the Lord not allow her to remain hidden? Does He, who advises others to remain silent and refrains from speaking of His countless miracles, seek glory for Himself?\\" First, He liberated the woman from her fear, allowing her to avoid the torment of her guilty conscience; second, He corrected her misbelief that she could hide. Third, He showcased her faith before all so others might follow her example. Fourth, He demonstrated His profound knowledge, which in itself is a remarkable miracle. Lastly, the synagogue leader, who could easily waver in his faith, received encouragement through his wife’s experience. \\n\\nThe Holy Evangelists Mark and Luke recount that the Lord stopped and asked the crowd, \\"Who touched Me?\\" When everyone denied it, the Apostle Peter, perplexed, said to Him, \\"Master, the multitude surrounds You and presses upon You, and You ask, 'Who touched Me?'\\" But the Lord responded, \\"Somebody touched Me; I perceive that power has gone out from Me.\\" St. Matthew succinctly states that Jesus, having looked around and fixed His divine gaze on the healed woman, caused her to confess with a single look of compassion. Overwhelmed and seeking to make restitution, she lost her modesty; trembling with fear, she fell at His feet and divulged everything before the crowd. She undoubtedly trembled at the thought of His wrath since the Law clearly stated that touching a woman during her bleeding made a man unclean until evening. It was as if she implored, \\"Lord, forgive my audacity! For twelve long years, I have suffered; I have spent all I had on doctors without relief. I’ve heard how others find help in You, the Healer of mercy, welcomed into their homes, but I, a sinner, dared not even hope; I only touched the fringe of Your holy garment, and here I am, healed... Do not let my touch be seen as a defilement!\\" Yet, her touch did not taint Him but instead brought her cleansing. The Savior lovingly assured her, \\"Go, daughter! In that tender address lies forgiveness—go, do not fear, your faith has made you whole; depart in peace and be healed from your affliction.\\" \\n\\nHow wondrous is the humility of our Lord! After performing the miracle, He ascribes her healing to her faith, exclaiming, \\"Your faith has saved you!\\" How great is the abundance of His grace: while embarking on one act of mercy, He demonstrates His omnipotence through another. His wisdom in mercy is equally remarkable; He did not demand the afflicted woman confess her uncleanness under the Law before healing her, hence purifying her from that same uncleanness. \\n\\nFrom the moment she touched the Savior's robe, the woman was healed. St. Chrysostom observes the contrast between the woman and the synagogue ruler: she did not hesitate or question, merely touching the hem of His garment, while though the ruler brought the Healer to his house, one simple touch sufficed for her. The Lord’s pause, conversing first with His disciples and then with the woman, was undoubtedly a trial for the sorrowful father, each moment precious, as death threatened to extinguish the remaining flickers of life in his suffering daughter. Similarly, Martha and Mary underwent their own trials, witnessing their beloved brother Lazarus nearing death while the Lord delayed His arrival. Despite this anguish, the father exhibited no impatience, demonstrating strength in faith—something the Lord surely acknowledged.\\n\\nThe distraught Jairus heard the woman's story, pondering her healing. If she could be restored with a touch, why not his ailing daughter? Jesus was on His way to his house for that specific purpose. However, a test now lay before him: just then, he was told, \\"Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.\\" Yet the Lord did not allow despair to settle in this grieving father. Comforting him, Jesus urged, \\"Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will live.\\" To declare her dead and yet prophesy her life—who could grasp this? Yet faith flourished even in the midst of confusion. Although Christ moved slowly and spoke extensively—with the apostles and the woman—He allowed time for death to claim the young girl, and for those bringing news of her passing to arrive. The Lord desired full assurance of her death to eradicate any skepticism about her resurrection. Thus, He arrived at Lazarus’ tomb three days after his passing.\\n\\nUpon reaching Jairus’ home, the air was filled with the sorrowful laments and wails of hired mourners, customary in those days. These mourners exhibited ostentatious displays of grief, disturbing the quietude; the sounds of funeral rites filled the atmosphere, and the deceased was likely already prepared for burial, as it was customary in the East to inter the dead on the day of their passing. A throng of people accompanied the Lord to Jairus’ dwelling."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Christ was fully aware of who had reached out to Him; He could have easily identified the woman now present in the throng around Him. Instead, He chose to allow her the chance to profess her faith-driven action, inquiring, “Who touched me?” Peter’s response indicates that he and the other apostles had yet to grasp the essence of Jesus or have the requisite faith in Him. They believed that Jesus, unaware of who had touched Him, was requesting them to find out; hence, they suggested that among the many in the crowd, it was impossible to determine who had made contact with Him. Nevertheless, Christ did not label the apostles as unbelievers. He affirmatively stated, “Someone touched me, for I felt the power that came out of me” (refer to the explanation above on p. 271 regarding the power of Jesus). As He looked around, the healed woman understood that she could not conceal herself from the One who had restored her health; she approached Him, fell at His feet, and recounted her entire story. According to Jewish law, she had committed an offense by being unclean and daring to mingle in the crowd, thus rendering anyone who came into contact with her unclean as well. Those nearby likely anticipated that Jesus would reprimand her for this, and the woman herself was filled with fear. Yet, Jesus comforted her, saying, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you; go in peace and be free from your suffering” (Lk. 8:48; Mk. 5:34). “Courage!\\"—this is the message Christ extends to all His followers. “Seek from God, and just as you generously give to those in need, it will be granted to you by God in accordance with your faith.\\""},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As soon as she realized that she had received the healing she sought, she hurriedly tried to blend back into the crowd unnoticed. Yet, she remained concealed only from the people, not from Christ. He perceived that power had been drawn from Him and halted, inquiring, \\"Who touched My garment?\\" Not fully grasping the situation, the apostle Peter responded that in such a tightly packed crowd, it was hard to determine who had made contact. However, through this inquiry, the Savior aimed to elicit a confession from the one who, benefiting from God's abundant grace, wished to discreetly find solace in His garment. The Savior, invoking the divine goodness of the healer, sought to reveal something to her. His gaze fell upon her, causing her to tremble in fear as she emerged from the throng, falling at His feet to share her entire story. In her desire to correct the past, she had cast aside her modesty. She likely feared His anger, as the law explicitly stated that a bleeding woman rendered a man ceremonially unclean until evening. Yet, it was her touch that had brought her healing, rather than defile Him. Without a trace of wrath, the Savior tenderly addressed her, saying, \\"Daughter,\\" a term imbued with compassion and already implying her forgiveness, \\"your faith has saved you; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction!\\""},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The woman approached Him with trepidation, fully aware of her situation and unable to hide her presence. She fell at His feet and shared her entire story, explaining her reasons for reaching out to Him and how she was instantly cured. The Lord chose to reveal her to demonstrate her faith, inspiring others to join in the struggle, while also alleviating any guilt she might feel, as she could have perceived herself as having stolen the healing she received. “Go in peace and be made whole from your wound.” The traditions note the name of the healed woman as Veronica, a Gentile from Caesarea Philippi or Paneas. In gratitude, she constructed a monument in her city near the fountain to honor her healing by Jesus Christ, portraying Him in a long robe. Later, fervent Christians placed an image of Veronica kneeling in prayer before the depiction of Christ. However, this monument was ultimately destroyed under the decree of Julian the Apostate."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the Gospel of Matthew, Jairus informs Jesus that his daughter has died (ετελέυτησεν v. 18), prompting him to seek a resurrection. Conversely, in the Gospels of Mark (εσχάτως έχει v. 23) and Luke (αυτη άπεθνισκεν v. 42), it is noted that she was merely on the brink of death, indicating that Jairus initially requested healing for her condition and only later received the news of her passing. Given the circumstances surrounding the ailing woman and Jairus's emotional state, it is unlikely that his words were entirely precise and confident. He likely intended to convey that when he departed for Jesus, his daughter was enduring her final moments, and she might now be deceased. However, since Matthew does not mention the arrival of messengers with news of the girl's death, the phrase αΰτη ετελέυτησεν aligns more accurately with the narrative: Jairus’s initial plea for his daughter’s healing would certainly have transformed into a petition for her resurrection after learning of her death, even if he did not articulate such a request. \\n\\nThe woman suffering from a hemorrhage, understanding her condition made her ceremonially unclean (Luke 15), hesitated to approach Jesus openly for help. Yet her faith was profound, leading her to believe that merely touching the fringe of His garment (κρασπεδον Mt. 20. Lk. 44 cf. Num. 15:38. Matthew 14:36. 23, 5. Lk. 8:44. Mk. 6:56) would suffice for her healing. The Lord, inviting her to publicly declare both her faith and the miracle that had occurred, inquired, \\"Who is he that touches Me?\\" (Luke). His final words suggest that His miraculous power may have occasionally emanated from Him without conscious intent. Nevertheless, it is clear that Jesus was attuned to the woman’s desire and her actions when she touched Him, affirming in His spirit, \\"Courage, woman, your faith has healed you\\"—a phrase He would later repeat aloud to reassure her. Many were thronging around Him, touching Him from all sides, yet no one could grasp His miraculous power without the faith the woman exhibited; it was her belief that unlocked this divine power. It is evident that the act of touching Christ held significance not for Him, but rather represented a profound and tangible expression of the woman’s faith as she reached out to Him."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Many of the afflicted sought to make contact with His garments; among them was a woman who had been suffering from bleeding. After she touched Him and was made whole, she thought about slipping away unnoticed. However, Jesus paused, turned to the crowd, and inquired, “Who touched me, for I felt power leave me?” He scanned the crowd, and the woman, realizing she could not remain hidden, fell at His feet and confessed the entire situation. Jesus praised her faith, assuring her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.\\" But what was the purpose of this revelation? Did He, who silenced the demons from proclaiming His identity, desire personal acclaim? The Savior intended to bolster Jairus' faith. He spoke to Jairus, “Do you see this woman? She has suffered for twelve years, spent all she had on physicians without relief, yet she is now healed by the touch of my garment.” He encouraged Jairus to reflect on this and strengthen his own faith. Indeed, as soon as the Lord finished His words, those sent by Jairus arrived to inform him that his daughter had passed away."}]}

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