What does Matthew 9:22 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Jesus encouraged the woman and commended her faith (i.e, her trust in Him). It was her faith that was significant. Her touching Jesus" garment simply expressed her faith. Faith in Jesus is one of the themes Matthew stressed in his Gospel. It is not the strength of one"s faith that saves him or her but faith in a strong Savior. [source][source]

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The Greek word translated "made you well" or "healed you" is sozo, which the translators often rendered as "save." The context here clarifies that Jesus was talking about the woman"s faith resulting in her physical deliverance, not necessarily in her eternal salvation. Salvation is a broad concept in the Old and New Testaments. The context determines what aspect of deliverance is in view in every use of the verb sozo and the noun soteria, "salvation." ^[1] [source]

"The association of the language of "salvation" with faith perhaps also allows Matthew"s readers, if so inclined, to find in this story a parable of spiritual salvation." ^[2] [source]

Why did Matthew include this miracle within the account of the healing of Jairus" daughter? I suspect the answer is the common theme of life. The woman"s life was gradually ebbing away. Her hemorrhage symbolized this since blood represents life (cf. Leviticus 17:11). Jesus stopped her dying and restored her life. His instantaneous healing contrasts with her long-term illness. In the case of Jairus" daughter, who was already dead, Jesus restored her to life. Both incidents show His power over death. [source][source]

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Context Summary

No grief appeals to Christ in vain. He always arises to follow. Let us as His disciples ever follow where He leads. We are permitted to be His fellow-workers and to help by our sympathy, prayers, and faith.

This poor woman's faith was very imperfect. She believed that there was virtue in His dress, as the ritualist in the emblems of His death. She cared more for her healing than for the healer. She was full of fear and trembling. But her touch was a magnificent evidence of her faith. It might be as slight as featherdown, but it was enough. Not grasping, but lightly touching!

The incident at first fretted Jairus by its delay; but afterward it helped him. Perhaps it was permitted in order to strengthen his faith and thus prepare him to meet the tidings then upon the way to him. He can awake a girl from death as easily as her mother from sleep at morning prime. Let Jesus take the tiny hands of your children in His. Summon them to life and love! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 9

¹  Jesus heals a paralytic
⁹  calls Matthew from the receipt of custom;
¹⁰  eats with tax collectors and sinners;
¹⁴  defends his disciples for not fasting;
²⁰  cures the sick woman;
²³  raises Jairus' daughter from death;
²⁷  gives sight to two blind men;
³²  heals a mute man possessed of a demon;
³⁶  and has compassion on the multitude