Luke 8:43-56

8:43 Now¹ a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage² for twelve years³ but could not be healed by anyone. 8:44 She⁴ came up behind Jesus⁵ and touched the edge⁶ of his cloak,⁷ and at once the bleeding⁸ stopped. 8:45 Then⁹ Jesus asked,¹⁰ “Who was it who touched me?” When they all denied it, Peter¹¹ said, “Master, the crowds are surrounding you and pressing¹² against you!” 8:46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I know that power has gone out¹³ from me.” 8:47 When¹⁴ the woman saw that she could not escape notice,¹⁵ she came trembling and fell down before him. In¹⁶ the presence of all the people, she explained why¹⁷ she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed. 8:48 Then¹⁸ he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.¹⁹ Go in peace.”

8:49 While he was still speaking, someone from the synagogue ruler’s²⁰ house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.” 8:50 But when Jesus heard this, he told²¹ him, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”²² 8:51 Now when he came to the house, Jesus²³ did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John,²⁴ and James, and the child’s father and mother. 8:52 Now they were all²⁵ wailing and mourning²⁶ for her, but he said, “Stop your weeping; she is not dead but asleep.” 8:53 And they began making fun²⁷ of him, because they knew²⁸ that she was dead.²⁹ 8:54 But Jesus³⁰ gently took her by the hand and said,³¹ “Child, get up.” 8:55 Her³² spirit returned,³³ and she got up immediately. Then³⁴ he told them to give her something to eat. 8:56 Her³⁵ parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one³⁶ what had happened.

¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

²tn Grk “a flow of blood.”

³tc ‡ Most mss, including the majority of later mss (א[* C] A L W Θ Ξ [Ψ] Ë^1,13 33 [1424] Ï [lat sy^c,p,h]) read here, “having spent all her money on doctors.” Uncertainty over its authenticity is due primarily to the fact that certain important witnesses do not have the phrase (e.g., Ì⁷⁵ B [D] 0279 sy^s sa Or). This evidence alone renders its authenticity unlikely. It may have been intentionally added by later scribes in order to harmonize Luke’s account with similar material in Mark 5:26 (see TCGNT 121). NA²⁷ includes the words in brackets, indicating doubt as to their authenticity.

⁴tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

⁵tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁶sn The edge of his cloak refers to the kraspedon, the blue tassel on the garment that symbolized a Jewish man’s obedience to the law (cf. Num 15:37-41). The woman thus touched the very part of Jesus’ clothing that indicated his ritual purity.

⁷tn Grk “garment,” but here ἱμάτιον (Jimation) denotes the outer garment in particular.

⁸tn Grk “the flow of her blood.”

sn The woman was most likely suffering from a vaginal hemorrhage, in which case her bleeding would make her ritually unclean.

⁹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

¹⁰tn Grk “said.”

¹¹tc Most mss, especially the later ones (א A C*^,3 D L W Θ Ξ Ψ Ë^1,13 33 Ï latt), also have “and those together with him” (with two different Greek constructions for the phrase “with him”), while several important witnesses omit this phrase (Ì⁷⁵ B Π 700* al sa). The singular verb εἶπεν (eipen, “he said”) could possibly suggest that only Peter was originally mentioned, but, if the longer reading is authentic, then εἶπεν would focus on Peter as the spokesman for the group, highlighting his prominence (cf. ExSyn 401-2). Nevertheless, the longer reading looks like a clarifying note, harmonizing this account with Mark 5:31.

¹²sn Pressing is a graphic term used in everyday Greek of pressing grapes. Peter says in effect, “How could you ask this? Everyone is touching you!”

¹³tn This is a consummative perfect. Jesus sensed that someone had approached him to be healed, as his reference to power makes clear. The perception underlies Jesus’ prophetic sense as well.

¹⁴tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

¹⁵tn Or “could not remain unnoticed” (see L&N 28.83).

¹⁶tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. The order of the clauses in the remainder of the verse has been rearranged to reflect contemporary English style.

¹⁷tn Grk “told for what reason.”

¹⁸tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

¹⁹tn Or “has delivered you”; Grk “has saved you.” This should not be understood as an expression for full salvation in the immediate context; it refers only to the woman’s healing.

²⁰tn That is, “the official in charge of the synagogue”; ἀρχισυνάγωγος (arcisunagwgo") refers to the “president of a synagogue” (so BDAG 139 s.v. and L&N 53.93). In this case the referent is Jairus (v. 41).

²¹tn Grk “answered.”

²²tn Or “will be delivered”; Grk “will be saved.” This should not be understood as an expression for full salvation in the immediate context; it refers only to the girl’s healing.

²³tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁴tn Grk “and John,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.

²⁵sn This group probably includes outside or even professional mourners, not just family, because a large group seems to be present.

²⁶tn Grk “beating the breasts” (in mourning); see L&N 52.1.

²⁷tn This imperfect verb has been translated as an ingressive imperfect.

²⁸tn The participle εἰδότες (eidotes) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.

²⁹tn Or “had died.”

³⁰tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³¹tn Grk “and called, saying.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation to “and said.”

³²tn Grk “And her.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

³³sn In other words, she came back to life; see Acts 20:10.

³⁴tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

³⁵tn Grk “And her.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

³⁶sn Jesus ordered them to tell no one because he desired that miracles not become the center of his ministry.