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 8:43KJV
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Luke 8:43 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:43 mean?

Luke 8:43 describes a woman who had suffered from continuous bleeding for twelve years and had spent all her money on doctors, but none could heal her. The verse highlights her desperate situation and the failure of every medical attempt to cure her condition.

In this scene, Luke is narrating the events as Jesus is surrounded by a crowd. The woman’s illness made her an outcast in her society, and her long struggle with it emphasizes both her suffering and her determination. This sets the stage for her later encounter with Jesus, showing just how hopeless her situation seemed before she approached him.

The Greek behind Luke 8:43

  • "ἔχουσα" (echousa, "having"): This word shows the ongoing nature of her condition—it was not a one-time event, but something she continuously endured.
  • "ῥύσις" (rhysis, "issue"): This term specifically refers to a flow or discharge, underlining that her problem was persistent and physical, not just a minor ailment.
  • "διέθεντο" (diethento, "spent"): The Greek here carries the sense of exhausting or using up completely, stressing that she had nothing left after seeking help from many physicians.
  • "ἰατροῖς" (iatrois, "physicians"): The mention of doctors in the Greek makes clear that her lack of healing was not for lack of trying; she had sought all available help.

Why Luke 8:43 matters

  • Luke 8:43 clarifies that the woman’s suffering was not only physical but also financial and social, as she had spent everything and still found no relief.
  • The verse emphasizes the limits of human solutions, preparing the reader for the significance of her turning to Jesus.
  • By describing her condition in detail, Luke connects her story to the broader theme of Jesus reaching out to those who are desperate and overlooked by society.

Where else these words appear

“issue” Greek G4511 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
  • Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

“physicians” Greek G2395 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
  • Mark 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
  • Luke 5:31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

“living” Greek G979 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
  • Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
  • 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

“could” Greek G2480 · used in 29 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
  • Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.