King James Version

What Does Mark 5:33 Mean?

Mark 5:33 in the King James Version says “But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the t... — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Mark 5:33 · KJV


Context

31

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

32

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

35

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. This verse reveals the woman's emotional response and courage in public confession. 'Fearing and trembling' (φοβηθεῖσα καὶ τρέμουσα, phobētheisa kai tremousa) describes intense anxiety—she expected rebuke for touching Jesus while ceremonially unclean, creating exposure she had tried to avoid. 'Knowing what was done in her' (εἰδυῖα ὃ γέγονεν αὐτῇ, eiduia ho gegonen autē) confirms her internal certainty of healing—experiential knowledge of transformation.

Despite fear, 'she came' (ἦλθεν, ēlthen)—obedience overcame anxiety. 'Fell down before him' (προσέπεσεν αὐτῷ, prosepesen autō) demonstrates reverent worship and humble submission. 'Told him all the truth' (εἶπεν αὐτῷ πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν, eipen autō pasan tēn alētheian) shows complete confession—twelve years of suffering, failed remedies, desperate faith, and resultant healing. This public testimony required tremendous courage given her condition's shameful nature and her violation of purity laws by touching Jesus. Yet her honest confession brought complete liberation—physical healing, spiritual blessing, social restoration, and personal relationship with Christ. This models authentic faith response: honest acknowledgment of need, bold approach despite fear, and public testimony of Christ's work.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The woman had multiple reasons to fear: she violated purity laws by touching Jesus, potentially making Him ceremonially unclean; she interrupted Jesus' mission to Jairus's dying daughter, possibly causing fatal delay; she drew public attention to a shameful condition; and she risked community judgment for her presumptuous act. Yet Jesus' response (v. 34) replaced fear with peace, shame with honor, and isolation with acceptance. First-century honor-shame culture made public confession especially costly—revealing such intimate physical details before a crowd required extraordinary courage. The phrase 'all the truth' suggests comprehensive testimony: her condition's nature, duration, suffering, failed treatments, desperate faith, and instant healing. Early church fathers saw this as model confession—complete honesty before Christ without concealment or self-justification. Augustine wrote: 'She came in fear but departed in joy; she approached as a thief but became a confessor.' Her progression from secret touch to public testimony illustrates healthy spiritual development—from initial timid faith to mature bold witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What causes your 'fear and trembling' in coming to Christ or confessing your need before others, and how does this woman's courage challenge those fears?
  2. How does her progression from secret touch to public testimony model the journey from private faith to public witness that all believers should experience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
1 of 21
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 21

But

G1161

but, and, etc

γυνὴ3 of 21

the woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

φοβηθεῖσα4 of 21

fearing

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

καὶ5 of 21

and

G2532

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

τρέμουσα6 of 21

trembling

G5141

to "tremble" or fear

εἰδυῖα7 of 21

knowing

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

8 of 21

what

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

γέγονεν9 of 21

was done

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐπ'10 of 21

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῷ11 of 21

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

ἦλθεν12 of 21

came

G2064

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

καὶ13 of 21

and

G2532

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

προσέπεσεν14 of 21

fell down before

G4363

to fall towards, i.e., (gently) prostrate oneself (in supplication or homage), or (violently) to rush upon (in storm)

αὐτῷ15 of 21

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

καὶ16 of 21

and

G2532

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

εἶπεν17 of 21

told

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ18 of 21

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

πᾶσαν19 of 21

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὴν20 of 21
G3588

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

ἀλήθειαν21 of 21

the truth

G225

truth


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 5:33 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 5:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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