King James Version

What Does Mark 5:26 Mean?

Mark 5:26 in the King James Version says “And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather gr...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse ,”

Mark 5:26 · KJV

Context

24

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

25

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse ,

27

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Mark provides detailed description of the woman's failed attempts at healing, emphasizing her desperation and Christ's singular sufficiency. 'Suffered many things' (πολλὰ παθοῦσα, polla pathousa) indicates painful, invasive treatments—ancient medicine often involved harsh remedies: bloodletting, cauterization, folk potions with toxic ingredients. 'Of many physicians' (ὑπὸ πολλῶν ἰατρῶν, hypo pollōn iatrōn) shows she exhausted all available medical options, consulting multiple doctors without success.

'Spent all that she had' (δαπανήσασα τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς πάντα, dapanēsasa ta par' autēs panta) reveals complete financial devastation—medical expenses consumed her entire resources. 'Nothing bettered, but rather grew worse' (μηδὲν ὠφεληθεῖσα ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον εἰς τὸ χεῖρον ἐλθοῦσα, mēden ōphelētheisa alla mallon eis to cheiron elthousa) describes deterioration despite treatment. This progression—suffering, poverty, worsening—paints a picture of complete human inability to solve her problem. Her condition parallels humanity's spiritual state: all human effort to achieve righteousness fails; self-help, religion, and good works cannot cure sin's disease; we grow worse under law's demands (Romans 7:9-11). Only Christ can heal what human effort cannot fix.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Talmud records various remedies for female hemorrhaging, many bizarre and ineffective: drinking wine mixed with powdered herbs, carrying specific objects as amulets, or eating unusual substances. Physicians in the Roman world ranged from skilled practitioners (Galen, Hippocratic tradition) to charlatans selling useless remedies. Without regulation or licensing, desperate people often fell prey to ineffective treatments. The financial exploitation was common—physicians charged according to patients' ability to pay, often bankrupting families. Luke (a physician himself) records this more diplomatically: she 'could not be healed of any' (Luke 8:43), omitting Mark's harsh critique of medical failure. The woman's situation exemplifies first-century healthcare's limitations, where chronic conditions often remained incurable despite great expense. Her story encouraged early Christians facing illness: when human medicine fails, divine healing remains available through faith in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this woman's exhausting pursuit of failed remedies illustrate humanity's futile attempts to achieve righteousness through self-effort or religious works?
  2. What 'physicians'—false teachers, worldly philosophies, or self-help solutions—have you turned to for healing before seeking Christ as the ultimate physician?

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

πολλῶν2 of 21

“many”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

παθοῦσα3 of 21

“had suffered”

G3958

to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)

ὑπὸ4 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 (

πολλῶν5 of 21

“many”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

ἰατρῶν6 of 21

“physicians”

G2395

a physician

καὶ7 of 21

“And”

G2532

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

δαπανήσασα8 of 21

“had spent”

G1159

to expend, i.e., (in a good sense) to incur cost, or (in a bad one) to waste

τὰ9 of 21
G3588

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

παρ'10 of 21

“had”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

ἑαυτῆς11 of 21

“that she”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

πάντα12 of 21

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ13 of 21

“And”

G2532

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

μηδὲν14 of 21

“nothing”

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

ὠφεληθεῖσα15 of 21

“bettered”

G5623

to be useful, i.e., to benefit

ἀλλὰ16 of 21

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

μᾶλλον17 of 21

“rather”

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

εἰς18 of 21

“worse”

G1519

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

τὸ19 of 21
G3588

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

χεῖρον20 of 21
G5501

from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)

ἐλθοῦσα21 of 21

“grew”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 5:26 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 Mark 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 30:12-13Jeremiah 8:22Psalms 108:12Jeremiah 51:8Job 13:4

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