The Woman with the Discharge of Blood

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Anonymous; described in Greek as having a “flow of blood” (rhysis haimatos), highlighting her long-term condition.
• Period/Era: Second Temple Period; Roman Imperial Context (ministry of Jesus in Galilee).
• Main References: Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48.
• Key Connections: Jesus; the surrounding crowd; Jairus’s household (the healing occurs on the way to Jairus’s daughter).

Who was The Woman with the Discharge of Blood?

She was an unnamed woman who suffered from continuous bleeding for twelve years.
Her condition placed her in a state associated with ritual impurity under the Torah (cf. Leviticus 15:25–27).
She had spent all she had on physicians and was not helped, but worsened (Mark 5:26; Luke 8:43).
She approached Jesus in public by touching his garment, seeking healing.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: She touched Jesus’ garment in the crowd, believing this contact would heal her (Mark 5:27–28).
• Event 2: She was immediately healed, and Jesus identified that power had gone out from him (Mark 5:29–30).
• Event 3: She confessed what had happened, and Jesus publicly affirmed her faith and pronounced her healed and at peace (Mark 5:33–34).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Her story portrays persistent faith that seeks Jesus openly despite social and ritual barriers in the Gospel narratives.

Key Verse

"And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”" — Mark 5:34, ESV