Matthew 9:20
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
American King James Version (AKJV)
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
American Standard Version (ASV)
And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And a woman, who for twelve years had had a flow of blood, came after him, and put her hand on the edge of his robe:
Webster's Revision
(And behold, a woman who was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.
World English Bible
Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment;
English Revised Version (ERV)
And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment:
Clarke's Matthew 9:20 Bible Commentary
A woman which was diseased with an issue of blood - Γυνη αἱμοῤῥουσα. Mulier sanguinis profluvio laborans. Significatur hoc loco, fluxus muliebris, in Sanis, menstruus; in Hac perpetuus. It would be easy to explain the nature and properties of the disease here mentioned; but, when it is said that prudence forbids it, the intimation itself may be thought sufficiently explanatory of the disorder in question. There are some remarkable circumstances relative to this case mentioned by St. Mark, Mark 5:25, etc., which shall be properly noticed in the notes on that place.
The hem of his garment - The ציצית tsitsith, or fringes, which the Jews were commanded to wear on their garments. See Numbers 15:38, and the note there.
Barnes's Matthew 9:20 Bible Commentary
And, behold, a woman ... - This disease was by the Jews reckoned unclean Leviticus 15:25, and the woman was therefore unwilling to make personal application to Jesus, or even to touch his person. The disease was regarded as incurable. She had expended all her property, and grew worse, Mark 5:26.
Touched the hem of his garment - This garment was probably the square garment which was thrown over the shoulders. See notes at Matthew 5:40. This was surrounded by a border or "fringe;" and this "fringe," or the loose threads hanging down, is what is meant by the "hem." The Jews were commanded to wear this, in order to distinguish them from other nations. See Numbers 15:38-39; Deuteronomy 22:12.
Mark says that "the woman, fearing and trembling," came and told him all the truth. Perhaps she feared that, from the impure nature of her disease, he would be offended that she touched him.
Wesley's Matthew 9:20 Bible Commentary
9:20 Coming behind - Out of bashfulness and humility.
