Mark 5:34 (KJV)

What does Mark 5:34 mean?

Mark 5:34 records Jesus telling a woman that her faith has made her well, instructing her to go in peace and be free from her suffering. The verse emphasizes that her trust in Jesus was the reason for her healing, and he assures her of lasting wholeness and peace.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a woman who had suffered from a long-term illness. She had touched his cloak in hope of being healed, and Jesus responds with compassion, calling her "Daughter" and confirming her faith as the key to her recovery. The verse highlights both the personal care Jesus shows and the importance of faith in this moment.

The Greek behind Mark 5:34

• "Faith" (πίστις, pistis): This Greek word means trust or confidence. Here, Jesus points out that it was the woman’s trust in him—not just the act of touching his garment—that brought about her healing.
• "Made thee whole" (σῴζω, sōzō): This word often means to save or to heal. In this context, it carries the sense of both physical healing and being restored to well-being.
• "Go in peace" (εἰς εἰρήνην, eis eirēnēn): The phrase means more than just a farewell; it is a blessing of wholeness, calm, and restored relationship, both physically and spiritually.
• "Be whole of thy plague" (ὑγης, hugiēs): This word means to be healthy or sound. Jesus is assuring her that her healing is complete and lasting, not just temporary relief.

Why Mark 5:34 matters

• Mark 5:34 clarifies that Jesus attributes the woman’s healing to her faith, not to magic or superstition about his clothing, correcting any misunderstanding about the source of her recovery.
• By calling her "Daughter," Jesus publicly restores her dignity and status, which would have been damaged by her illness in her community.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in Mark’s Gospel of faith being central to encounters with Jesus, showing that trust in him leads to both physical and spiritual restoration.