King James Version

What Does Luke 8:43 Mean?

Luke 8:43 in the King James Version says “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be hea...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,”

Luke 8:43 · KJV

Context

41

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

44

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

45

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Read Luke 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any. The phrase "issue of blood" (en husei haimatos, ἐν ῥύσει αἵματος) describes chronic hemorrhaging, likely continuous uterine bleeding. The condition persisted "twelve years"—the exact lifespan of Jairus' dying daughter, creating deliberate narrative symmetry. While Jairus' daughter enjoyed twelve years of life and blessing, this woman endured twelve years of suffering, isolation, and ritual uncleanness.

Under Levitical law (Leviticus 15:25-30), chronic bleeding rendered her ceremonially unclean, unable to touch others, enter synagogue worship, or marry. Everything and everyone she touched became unclean. She lived in social death—isolated, stigmatized, avoided. She had "spent all her living upon physicians" (prosanaloūsa holon ton bion eis iatrous, προσαναλώσασα ὅλον τὸν βίον εἰς ἰατρούς)—exhausting financial resources on medical treatment that failed. Mark 5:26 adds that she "suffered many things" from physicians, suggesting their treatments worsened her condition.

The phrase "neither could be healed of any" (ouk ischysen ap' oudenos therapeuthēnai, οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ἀπ᾽ οὐδενὸς θεραπευθῆναι) emphasizes utter medical futility. No physician, no treatment, no expenditure helped. Her condition was humanly incurable, medically hopeless, completely beyond natural remedy. This hopelessness sets up Christ's supernatural intervention—where human effort utterly fails, divine power perfectly heals. Her desperate faith would reach for Jesus as the final, only hope.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century medicine was primitive and often harmful. Physicians treated uterine hemorrhaging with various remedies including herbal concoctions, amulets, and bloodletting—treatments that frequently worsened conditions. The woman's expenditure of "all her living" indicates she was likely once wealthy but medical expenses reduced her to poverty. Luke, as a physician (Colossians 4:14), honestly acknowledges medicine's limitations—an admission remarkable for his profession.

Leviticus 15:25-30 prescribed the isolation required for women with abnormal blood flow. She couldn't attend synagogue, participate in festivals, prepare food for others, or have normal social contact. Her condition made marriage impossible and, if married, would have dissolved the union. For twelve years, she lived as a social outcast, religiously unclean, forbidden from worship community. The shame and loneliness would be crushing—ritual impurity carried stigma suggesting divine disfavor or hidden sin.

This background makes her action in verse 44 remarkably courageous. Touching Jesus in her unclean state violated Levitical law and could have brought public condemnation. Yet desperate faith drove her beyond legal concerns to reach for the Healer who could restore not just physical health but social standing, religious participation, and human dignity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the woman's twelve years of suffering parallel and contrast with Jairus' daughter's twelve years of life?
  2. What does the failure of physicians and exhaustion of resources teach about human limitation and the need for divine intervention?
  3. How does understanding Levitical uncleanness deepen appreciation for both the woman's desperate courage and Jesus' compassionate response?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

γυνὴ2 of 21

“a woman”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

οὖσα3 of 21

“having”

G5607

being

ἐν4 of 21
G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ῥύσει5 of 21

“an issue”

G4511

a flux (of blood)

αἵματος6 of 21

“of blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

ἀπὸ7 of 21

“years”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἐτῶν8 of 21
G2094

a year

δώδεκα9 of 21

“twelve”

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

ἥτις10 of 21

“which”

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

εἰς11 of 21

“upon”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἰατρούς12 of 21

“physicians”

G2395

a physician

προσαναλώσασα13 of 21

“had spent”

G4321

to expend further

ὅλον14 of 21

“all”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὸν15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βίον16 of 21

“her living”

G979

life, i.e., (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood

οὐκ17 of 21

“neither”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἴσχυσεν18 of 21

“could”

G2480

to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)

ὑπ'19 of 21

“of”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

οὐδενὸς20 of 21

“any”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

θεραπευθῆναι21 of 21

“be healed”

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:43 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 5:25-26Matthew 9:20-22Leviticus 15:25-33Luke 13:16Mark 9:21-22Luke 8:27

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 8 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes