Devine Scripture

Luke 8:43

What does Luke 8:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 8:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 8:43 means

Luke 8:43 introduces a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living on physicians without cure. Her illness made her ritually unclean and socially isolated. The detail of spending all she had communicates both desperation and the ineffectiveness of human remedies. Her decision to approach Jesus from behind and touch his garment signifies humility, faith, and creative courage despite social constraints. The verse prepares readers for a healing that restores health and social standing, highlighting Jesus as the true physician of body and soul.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a woman, who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had given all her money to medical men, and not one of them was able to make her well,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a woman, having an issue of blood for twelve years, who, having spent on physicians all her living, was not able to be healed by any,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was a certain woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had bestowed all her substance on physicians and could not be healed by any.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a woman who had a flux of blood since twelve years, who, having spent all her living on physicians, could not be cured by any one,

Context

Placed between Jairus’ plea and the unfolding journey, this verse introduces a parallel crisis: prolonged suffering seeking Jesus’ touch. The two stories will intersect, illustrating God’s compassion for both public and private needs and showcasing different expressions of faith amid pressing crowds.

v.42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.

v.43This passage

v.44came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 4:22

    For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

  • Mark 5:25

    And a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,

  • John 9:1

    And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.

  • Isaiah 2:22

    Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?

  • Matthew 9:20

    And behold, a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the border of his garment:

  • Job 13:4

    But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

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