King James Version

What Does Mark 5:29 Mean?

Mark 5:29 in the King James Version says “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 5:29 · KJV

Context

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.

30

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?

31

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Mark emphasizes the healing's immediacy and totality. 'Straightway' (εὐθὺς, euthys)—Mark's characteristic word appearing over 40 times—stresses instant results. 'The fountain of her blood was dried up' (ἐξηράνθη ἡ πηγὴ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς, exēranthē hē pēgē tou haimatos autēs) uses vivid imagery: the source/spring of bleeding stopped completely. The verb ξηραίνω (xērainō) means to make thoroughly dry—not temporary cessation but permanent cure.

'She felt in her body' (ἔγνω τῷ σώματι, egnō tō sōmati) indicates internal awareness—she didn't need external confirmation; she knew immediately in her physical being. 'Healed of that plague' (ἴαται ἀπὸ τῆς μάστιγος, iatai apo tēs mastigos) describes cure from the affliction that plagued her twelve years. The word 'plague' (μάστιξ, mastix) literally means 'whip' or 'scourge,' depicting her condition as constant torment. Christ's healing brought instant, complete, experientially verifiable deliverance. This foreshadows spiritual salvation's nature: instantaneous justification (declared righteous), experientially verifiable (assurance of salvation), and permanent (eternal security). Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation, like this healing, is Christ's work alone, received through faith, producing immediate and lasting transformation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Instantaneous healings were not characteristic of ancient medicine, which relied on gradual treatment over time. This immediate cure authenticated Jesus' divine power—only God could instantly reverse twelve years of chronic illness. The woman's internal awareness of healing reflects ancient understanding that people knew their bodies intimately without modern diagnostic technology. Her confidence that healing occurred, before external verification, demonstrates experiential knowledge. In Jewish understanding, the cessation of bleeding would require seven days to confirm before ritual cleansing could begin (Leviticus 15:28), meaning complete restoration to normal life required patience despite immediate physical healing. Yet the spiritual restoration—her faith and Christ's acceptance—occurred instantly. Early church interpretation saw this as paradigm for conversion: the instant soul-cleansing occurs when faith touches Christ, though full restoration to community and visible fruit-bearing takes time to manifest fully.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the immediate and complete nature of this woman's healing illustrate the instantaneous and permanent character of justification when sinners come to faith in Christ?
  2. What role does 'feeling in your body'—experiential assurance—play in confirming spiritual healing and salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

“And”

G2532

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

εὐθὲως2 of 17

“straightway”

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

ἐξηράνθη3 of 17

“was dried up”

G3583

to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature

ἡ4 of 17
G3588

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

πηγὴ5 of 17

“the fountain”

G4077

a fount (literally or figuratively), i.e., source or supply (of water, blood, enjoyment) (not necessarily the original spring)

τοῦ6 of 17
G3588

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

αἵματος7 of 17

“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

αὐτῆς8 of 17

“of her”

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

καὶ9 of 17

“And”

G2532

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

ἔγνω10 of 17

“she felt”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τῷ11 of 17
G3588

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

σώματι12 of 17

“in her body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

ὅτι13 of 17

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἴαται14 of 17

“she was healed”

G2390

to cure (literally or figuratively)

ἀπὸ15 of 17

“of”

G575

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

τῆς16 of 17
G3588

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

μάστιγος17 of 17

“that plague”

G3148

a whip (literally, the roman flagellum for criminals; figuratively, a disease)

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 5:29 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 5:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 5:34Mark 3:10Psalms 30:2Psalms 103:3Psalms 147:3Exodus 15:26

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