Matthew 14:36 kjv
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Matthew 14:36 nkjv
and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
Matthew 14:36 niv
and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Matthew 14:36 esv
and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Matthew 14:36 nlt
They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.
Matthew 14 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Healing Touch/Garment | ||
| Matt 9:20-22 | "Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her... 'Your faith has healed you.'" | Woman healed by touching Jesus' cloak fringe. |
| Mk 5:27-34 | (Same story as Matt 9:20-22) | Faith brings healing from Jesus' power. |
| Lk 8:44-48 | (Same story as Matt 9:20-22) | Power flowing from Jesus through touch of faith. |
| Mk 6:56 | "Wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed." | Direct parallel, widespread healing. |
| Num 15:38-40 | "Speak to the children of Israel and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments..." | Context of the Jewish tassel/fringe (tzitzit). |
| Deut 22:12 | "You shall make yourself tassels on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself." | Mandate for fringes on garments. |
| Jesus' Healing Power & Ministry | ||
| Matt 4:23-24 | "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues... healing every disease and sickness..." | Jesus' initial widespread healing ministry. |
| Matt 8:16 | "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill." | Jesus heals all types of sickness. |
| Matt 9:35 | "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching... proclaiming the good news... healing every disease and sickness." | Comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing. |
| Matt 10:1 | "Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." | Delegation of healing power. |
| Matt 15:30-31 | "Great crowds came to Him, having with them those who were lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others... and He healed them..." | Vast numbers and varieties of healing. |
| Lk 5:17 | "And the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal them." | Explicit statement of God's power in Jesus to heal. |
| Acts 3:16 | "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong." | Healing through faith in Jesus' name (apostolic age). |
| Faith and Belief | ||
| Matt 17:20 | "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move." | Power of even small faith. |
| Mk 9:23 | "'If you can?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" | The omnipotence activated by belief. |
| Lk 17:19 | "Your faith has made you well." | Faith as a catalyst for healing and salvation. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please God..." | Necessity of faith for God's favor and works. |
| Jam 5:15 | "And the prayer of faith will save the sick..." | Faith in prayer for healing. |
| Divine Source of Healing | ||
| Exod 15:26 | "For I am the LORD, who heals you." | God Himself as the ultimate healer (Jehovah Rapha). |
| Psa 103:3 | "He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases." | God's compassion encompasses forgiveness and healing. |
| Isa 53:5 | "By His stripes we are healed." | Prophecy of healing through Messiah's suffering. |
| Jer 17:14 | "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise." | Prayer for divine healing. |
Matthew 14 verses
Matthew 14 36 Meaning
This verse recounts the widespread healing ministry of Jesus in the land of Gennesaret. It highlights the profound faith of the people, who, recognizing Jesus' divine power, desperately sought even the most minimal physical contact with Him—specifically the hem of His garment—believing it would be sufficient for healing. The outcome consistently affirmed their faith, as all who made this simple act of touch were completely restored to health.
Matthew 14 36 Context
Matthew 14:36 immediately follows Jesus' walking on water and His disciples landing at Gennesaret. The previous events, the miraculous feeding of the five thousand and the astonishing demonstration of power over the elements, had profoundly cemented Jesus' fame and the people's belief in His supernatural abilities. Therefore, upon His arrival in Gennesaret, word of His presence quickly spread, leading the inhabitants to bring their sick to Him. This particular verse describes the general response of the crowds in that region to Jesus' healing ministry. Historically, people often sought out divine healers or those perceived as having spiritual power. The idea of healing by touching a holy person's clothing was not uncommon in ancient Near Eastern cultures, demonstrating both desperation and a simple yet profound faith in the healer's anointing or power.
Matthew 14 36 Word analysis
- begged (παρεκάλουν - parekaloun): An imperfect tense verb, indicating continuous, repeated pleading or entreaty. It suggests persistent, earnest, and collective begging, showing the people's deep desire and desperation for healing.
- Him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers directly to Jesus Christ, the source of all power and healing.
- that they might just touch (ἅψωνται - hapsōntai): A present subjunctive, emphasizing the desire for even a slight, single contact. It signifies their humility and also their profound belief that a mere physical connection to Jesus would suffice, highlighting their faith in His inherent power, rather than a specific ritual or complex action.
- the hem (τοῦ κρασπέδου - tou kraspedou): This Greek word specifically refers to the border, edge, or fringe of a garment. In a Jewish context, it almost certainly refers to the tzitzit, the tassels or fringes that Jewish men were commanded by God to wear on the corners of their outer garments (Num 15:38-40, Deut 22:12). These fringes served as a reminder of God's commandments. By touching the "hem" (tzitzit), people might have perceived a connection to divine law, purity, or God's very presence, which Jesus perfectly embodied.
- His garment (τοῦ ἱματίου - tou himatiou): Refers to the outer cloak or robe. It implies an outward manifestation or extension of Jesus' person. The people's faith extended to even what belonged to Him, acknowledging the sacredness and power that radiated from Him.
- as many as touched (ὅσοι ἥψαντο - hosoi hēpsanto): This reiterates the action of touching (from ἅπτω - haptō). The use of "as many as" emphasizes the universal availability of Jesus' healing power to all who approached with this specific faith.
- were made perfectly well (διεσώθησαν - diesōthēsan): An aorist passive verb meaning "were saved through," "recovered completely," or "were kept safely." This is a strong word that implies a full, complete, and enduring restoration, not merely alleviation of symptoms. It encompasses the idea of preservation and thorough healing from disease, implying a holistic wellness that flowed from Jesus.
Words-group analysis
- "begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment": This phrase beautifully captures the intense longing and humble yet potent faith of the people. It illustrates their recognition of Jesus' unparalleled authority and healing virtue. They did not demand elaborate rituals or lengthy prayers, but simply believed that even the slightest contact with something belonging to Him would unleash His restorative power. The act of touching the 'hem' (likely tzitzit) points to a recognition of Jesus as one fulfilling or embodying the divine promises associated with God's law.
- "and as many as touched were made perfectly well": This group of words emphasizes the certainty and completeness of Jesus' healing power. The direct correlation between the simple act of faith-filled touching and instantaneous, thorough healing highlights Jesus' limitless compassion and the effectiveness of His divine authority. It proclaims that access to His healing was not limited to a select few but extended to all who sought it with genuine belief, resulting in profound, perfect restoration.
Matthew 14 36 Bonus section
The account in Matthew 14:36, particularly the focus on touching the "hem" of Jesus' garment, draws a significant contrast with contemporary Jewish purity laws. Under the Mosaic Law, touching something or someone impure could defile a person (Lev 11:24-25, Num 19:22). However, in the presence of Jesus, His divine holiness reversed this flow; instead of the sick making Him unclean by their touch, His holiness flowed out to them, purifying and healing them. This exemplifies a reversal of expectations, revealing Jesus as the ultimate source of purity and life, capable of transforming impurity into wholeness. The persistent crowds also highlight the immense spiritual hunger and physical need present during Jesus' time, and His compassionate response serves as a prefiguration of the boundless redemption offered through Him.
Matthew 14 36 Commentary
Matthew 14:36 serves as a powerful testament to the ubiquitous and effective healing ministry of Jesus during His earthly walk. Following momentous displays of power, His mere presence ignited a widespread and desperate hope for healing in the people of Gennesaret. Their plea to simply touch the hem of His garment reflects not only their humility but also a deep theological intuition: that Jesus Christ was so intrinsically holy and full of God's power that it emanated from His very person, even to His clothing. This resonates with Old Testament concepts where power or authority could be associated with a prophet's cloak, yet here it transcends to divine power originating from the Son of God. The resulting comprehensive healing for all who touched underscores Jesus' boundless compassion and His desire to restore those suffering. It teaches us that authentic faith, however seemingly small or "indirect" in its approach, is what accesses God's power for perfect wholeness, demonstrating the unreserved generosity of divine grace.Practical examples: A child needing comfort finding peace in holding a parent's hand; A prayer for healing, even when feeling undeserving, leading to God's unexpected grace; Trusting Jesus in seemingly minor needs, and witnessing His perfect provision.