Why Were People Healed Touching the Hem of Jesus’s Garment?

In the story of the woman with an issue of blood, the truth is often missed in the English translation of the Bible.

And, behold, a woman, diseased with an issue of blood for twelve years, came behind him and touched the hem of his garment.

The English word hem is a translation of a Greek word meaning a tassel of twisted wool. These tassels were attached to the corners of the prayer shawl and were worn by observant Jews in obedience to the biblical commandments found in Numbers.

Numbers 15:37 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:

Numbers 15:38 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Numbers 15:39 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

They are there to remind people of God’s commandments.

The word translated border or corner is a Hebrew word that can also be translated as ‘’wings.”

In Jesus’ day, Jewish men wore a simple tunic. When appearing in public, they would cover their tunic with a large rectangular cloth that draped over the shoulder and fell to the ankles.

This cloth was called a tallit and served as protection from cold and rain. Hanging from the end of each of its four corners, “wings” was a tassel in obedience to the biblical command.

The woman knew from the prophet Malachi that when Jesus the Messiah came, he would have healing power in these tassels at the corners of His garment.

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

But the woman with an issue of blood was not the only one that knew the prophecy of Malachi.

Matthew 14:35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

But the woman with an issue of blood was going to push through the crowd and receive her healing.

Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

Luke 8:45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Luke 8:46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

Luke 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

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