Mark 5:27

Of Jesus. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 146) for the reading “the things concerning Jesus,” that is, “the reports about Him.” As might be expected, word had spread rapidly (see on Mark 1:28; Luke 7:17, 18; 4:14).

In the press. Literally, “in the crowd.” Possibly this woman had planned for some time to reach Jesus, but His absence on the Second Galilean Tour seems to have made this, for the time being, impossible. When she learned that Jesus had returned to Capernaum she hastened to the shore of the lake, where He was teaching and healing (see on v. 21). But she searched for Him in vain. Learning, eventually, that He was at the home of Matthew (see on v. 21), she made her way there in the hope of reaching Him, but again arrived too late (see DA 343). Now, with the slow progress Jesus was making in the direction of the home of Jairus, she finally overtook Him.

But her malady had lowered the vital supply of blood in her body, and she was probably very weak physically in addition to being discouraged from the many vain attempts to secure healing at the hands of the physicians. Also, the nature of the disease itself, together with the ritual uncleanness involved, was embarrassing. It may be she felt hesitant to present her request orally to Jesus, particularly in the presence of so many strangers, lest He inquire as to the nature of her affliction, which He seems to have done sometimes (cf. ch. 10:51).

Touched his garment. According to Luke, the woman touched “the border” of Jesus’ garment (see ch. 8:44). Many who only touched “the hem” of Jesus’ garment “were made perfectly whole” (Matt. 14:36; cf. Acts 5:15; 19:12).