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

LUKE 8:44KJV
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Luke 8:44 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:44 mean?

Luke 8:44 describes a woman coming up behind Jesus and touching the edge of his garment, which immediately stops her long-term bleeding. The verse highlights the moment her physical suffering ends the instant she makes contact with Jesus’ clothing.

In this scene, Jesus is moving through a crowd, and the woman—who has suffered from a continuous flow of blood for years—approaches him quietly from behind. She reaches out to touch just the border of his garment, believing this will be enough to heal her. The verse emphasizes the immediacy and completeness of her healing at that very moment.

The Greek behind Luke 8:44

  • "border" (κράσπεδον, kraspedon): This word refers to the fringe or edge of a garment, often understood as the tassels worn by Jewish men as a reminder of God’s commandments. The woman’s choice to touch this part may show her respect for Jesus’ faithfulness to God’s law or her belief in the power associated with him.
  • "immediately" (παραχρῆμα, parachrēma): This word stresses that the healing was instant, not gradual. The text wants the reader to notice the suddenness of the change.
  • "stanched" (ἔστη, estē): This Greek word literally means "stood still" or "stopped." It is used here to show that the woman’s bleeding completely ceased at that moment, with no lingering effects.

Why Luke 8:44 matters

  • Luke 8:44 clarifies that the woman’s healing was not the result of a long process or a private ritual, but happened instantly and publicly when she touched Jesus’ garment.
  • The verse draws attention to the woman’s faith and her quiet, determined action, which stands out in the middle of a busy, pressing crowd.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where Jesus stops and addresses the woman, making her healing known to everyone and highlighting the personal nature of his response to individual faith.

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

“border” Greek G2899 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • 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.
  • Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

“behind” Greek G3693 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
  • Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
  • Revelation 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

“immediately” Greek G3916 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • Luke 8:55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
  • Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.