Gospel of Mark Bible Part 29: The Touch of Jesus [Bible Study]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
Bible Study Title: Jesus Heals by His Touch
Scripture Focus: Mark 5:21–43
Opening Prayer
Lord, help us to have the faith to seek You like the woman who reached for Your garment and like Jairus who pleaded for his daughter. Remove our fears, strengthen our trust, and draw us near to You so that we might experience Your power to heal, restore, and give life.
Introduction
After calming the storm and casting out a legion of demons, Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee where crowds immediately gathered. In today’s passage, two powerful miracles reveal His authority over sickness and even death. One involves a woman who had suffered for twelve years; the other, a young girl who died. Both accounts highlight the necessity of faith, the compassion of Christ, and the power of His touch.
Bible Reading
Read Mark 5:21–43. Cross-reference: Matthew 9:18–26, Luke 8:40–56.
Section 1 – Faith That Reaches Out
The woman had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, spent all she had, and only grew worse (Mark 5:25–26). Hearing of Jesus, she believed “If I just touch His garments, I will be saved from this” (Mark 5:28).
When she touched His cloak, “immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she knew within her body that she had been healed of her affliction” (Mark 5:29). Jesus recognized power had gone out from Him and turned to find her. Trembling, she confessed everything. Jesus reassured her, saying, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace and be healed of your affliction” (Mark 5:34).
Discussion Questions:
Why did the woman risk pushing through the crowd despite her fear?
How does her persistence demonstrate what real faith looks like?
Section 2 – Faith That Perseveres
As Jesus spoke with the woman, news came: “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” (Mark 5:35). But Jesus told Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36).
At Jairus’ house, mourners laughed when Jesus said, “The child has not died, but is asleep” (Mark 5:39). He sent them out, took the girl’s hand, and said, “Talitha kum! … Little girl, I say to you, arise!” (Mark 5:41). “Immediately the little girl stood up and began to walk” (Mark 5:42).
Discussion Questions:
What does Jesus’ command to “only believe” teach us about faith in hopeless situations?
How can we respond when others mock our trust in Christ?
Section 3 – The Significance of Twelve
Both the woman’s illness and the girl’s age were twelve years (Mark 5:25, 42). Twelve often represents completeness in Scripture—the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve apostles. These miracles may symbolize that Jesus’ power to heal and restore extends to all of God’s people, whether ritually unclean (the woman) or seemingly hopeless (the girl).
Reflection: How does the number twelve deepen the meaning of these miracles for you?
Section 4 – Application for Us
We may not physically touch Jesus today, but we can reach Him through:
Baptism – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
Seeking Him in the Word – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).
Obedience to His Commands – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
Like the woman and Jairus, we must take the initiative to seek Jesus, believe in His power, and trust Him even when the situation seems impossible.
Memory Verse
Mark 5:34 – “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”
Closing Challenge
Will you press through the crowd, lay aside your fears, and reach out to Jesus in faith? Will you trust Him even when the world says it’s too late? The same Lord who healed the woman and raised the little girl still works in power today.
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