Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:20-22 – Instant Miracle: The Woman Who Touched Jesus' Robe

Host Lance Smith examines the story of the woman who touched Jesus' robe (Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–29; Luke 8:43–45) to determine whether her healing was immediate or delayed.

Comparing translations, cultural context, and priestly imagery, he concludes the Gospels agree the cure was instantaneous, explores the theological and social significance of her faith, and invites listeners to reflect on their own moments of reaching out.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

1. Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/immediately.html 
2. BibleRef.com: What does Matthew 9:22 mean? https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/9/Matthew-9-22.html 
3. BibleRef.com: What does Mark 5:28 mean? https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/5/Mark-5-28.html 
4. Keystone Victoria: When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. Mark 5:27 https://www.keystonevictoria.com/a-good-word/2017/6/6/when-she-had-heard-of-jesus-came-in-the-press-behind-and-touched-his-garment-mark-527 
5. Harvard DASH: The Body and the Blood: A Theological Reinterpretation of the Hemorrhaging Woman https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f36c33fc-85d9-4bf3-9b82-eaf3e7bd6cd8/content 
6. Bethel Spark: The Markan Narrative of the Hemorrhaging Woman: Injustice Through Systems Then and Now https://spark.bethel.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=bible-theology-students 
7. Watford, Joshua Michael. "The Priest's Garments and the Woman's Faith: An Examination of Mark 5:25-34 in Light of Wisdom of Solomon 18:20-25." Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, May 2, 2022.