King James Version

What Does Mark 5:27 Mean?

Mark 5:27 in the King James Version says “When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 5:27 · KJV

Context

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.

29

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. This verse describes the woman's faith-filled approach to Jesus. 'When she had heard of Jesus' (ἀκούσασα περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, akousasa peri tou Iēsou) indicates that reports of Jesus' healing power reached her despite her isolation. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)—the gospel reports about Jesus ignited hope in her desperate heart. 'Came in the press behind' (ἐλθοῦσα ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ ὄπισθεν, elthousa en tō ochlō opisthen) shows her navigating through the crowd despite her ritual uncleanness making such contact forbidden.

Her approach 'behind' Jesus demonstrates both faith and fear—faith to approach at all, fear of public exposure given her condition. 'Touched his garment' (ἥψατο τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ, hēpsato tou himatiou autou) was an act of tremendous faith and social courage. According to Levitical law, her touch contaminated anyone/anything contacted. She risked public rebuke, yet her faith overcame fear. This stealthy approach contrasts with Jairus's public petition (v. 22-23), showing Christ welcomes both bold and timid faith. Reformed theology emphasizes that even weak faith in the right object (Christ) brings salvation, while strong faith in wrong objects brings nothing. Her touch demonstrated active faith—not passive hope but determined action based on confidence in Jesus' power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Numbers 15:37-41 commanded Israelite men to wear tassels (tzitzit) on garment corners as reminders of God's commandments. These tassels, including a blue cord, were visible markers of Jewish identity and covenant faithfulness. The woman likely touched one of these tassels, hence 'the hem of his garment' (Matthew 9:20). The crowd's density in narrow Palestinian streets made physical contact nearly inevitable, yet her touch was deliberate and faith-filled, distinguishing it from accidental jostling. Her action violated purity laws—her uncleanness should have contaminated Jesus. In typical purity system logic, contact with clean objects defiles them. Christ reversed this—His holiness cleansed rather than being defiled. Early church fathers saw symbolic significance: touching Christ's humanity (the garment) provided access to His divinity (the healing power). This foreshadowed sacramental theology—outward means (baptism, communion) conveying inward grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this woman's bold approach despite ritual prohibition challenge fears or shame that prevent you from coming to Christ for healing?
  2. What does her willingness to risk public exposure reveal about the relationship between desperate need and authentic faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἀκούσασα1 of 13

“When she had heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

περὶ2 of 13

“of”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τοῦ3 of 13
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦ4 of 13

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἐλθοῦσα5 of 13

“came”

G2064

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

ἐν6 of 13

“in”

G1722

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

τῷ7 of 13
G3588

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

ὄχλῳ8 of 13

“the press”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ὄπισθεν9 of 13

“behind”

G3693

from g3700) with enclitic of source; from the rear (as a secure aspect), i.e., at the back (adverb and preposition of place or time)

ἥψατο10 of 13

“and touched”

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

τοῦ11 of 13
G3588

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

ἱματίου12 of 13

“garment”

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)

αὐτοῦ·13 of 13

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 5:27 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 5:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 19:12Matthew 14:36Acts 5:15Mark 6:562 Kings 13:21

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