Mark 5:27-28 - Exposition

This woman, having heard of Jesus —literally ( τὰ περί τοῦ ἰησοῦ ), the things concerning Jesus— came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment . St. Matthew and St Luke say "the border ( τοῦ κρασπέδου ) of his garment." St. Matthew tells us that "she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole." From this it appears that, though she had faith, it was an imperfect faith. She seems to have imagined that a certain magical influence was within Christ and around him. And the touching of the border of his garment (the blue fringe which the Jews were required to wear, to remind them that they were God's people) was supposed by her to convey a special virtue. Yet her faith, though imperfect, was true in its essence, and therefore was not disappointed.