Mark 5:34

Mark 5:34, in plain English

Jesus calls her 'Daughter' — what a word for a woman who has been an outcast for twelve years. 'Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free from your suffering.'

Why it's here

He doesn't scold her for touching him. He doesn't mention her uncleanness. He calls her family. He honors her faith. He declares her free. This is what Jesus does.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks directly to the woman with tenderness, affirmation, and authority.

Where it sits in the story

After twelve years of being untouchable, she's called 'Daughter.' After twelve years of sickness, she's declared healed. After twelve years of fear, she's sent off in peace. Jesus restores everything.

The scholarly reading

Jesus addresses her as 'Daughter' (thygater) — the only time in the Gospels he uses this term — conferring familial belonging. He attributes her healing to her faith (he pistis sou sesoken se) and pronounces shalom: 'Go in peace and be free from your affliction.'

Language and setting

The declaration 'your faith has healed you' (literally 'saved you,' sesoken) carries both physical and soteriological dimensions. 'Go in peace' (hypage eis eirenen) is a Semitic farewell blessing conferring wholeness.

Voice

Jesus speaks tenderly and authoritatively to the healed woman.

Significance

Jesus calls her 'Daughter' — restoring her identity and community belonging. He publicly attributes her healing to her faith and sends her away with a blessing of complete peace and freedom.

32But He kept looking around to see who had done this.

33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.

34“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”

35While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”

36But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”

Read all of Mark 5 — A man possessed by a thousand demons, a woman who has bled for twelve years, a father whose daughter has just died — all healed in a single chapter.