The Meaning of Matthew 14:36 Explained

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.

YLT: and were calling on him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment, and as many as did touch were saved.

Darby: and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made thoroughly well.

ASV: and they besought him that they might only touch the border of his garment: and as many as touched were made whole.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  besought  him  that  they might  only  touch  the hem  of his  garment:  and  as many as  touched  were made perfectly whole. 

What does Matthew 14:36 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 14:22-36 - Help In The Hour Of Need
Jesus always comes in the storm. It had been a great relief to escape from the pressure of the crowd to His place of prayer, on heights swept by the evening breeze and lighted by the holy stars. But He tore Himself away because His friends needed Him. He is watching you also in the storm and will certainly come to your help.
He uses the element we dread as the path for His approach. The waves were endangering the boat, but Jesus walked on them. In our lives are people and circumstances we dread, but it is through these that the greatest blessing of our lives will come, if we look through them to Christ.
His coming is sometimes delayed. The gray dawn was already beginning to spread over the scene. The disciples' strength was spent. He was not too late to be of service, but just in time to save them from despair. Be of good cheer, and if Jesus bids you come to Him on the water, always believe that His commands are enabling. Keep looking to Him, not at the storm. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 14

1  Herod's opinion of Jesus
3  Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded
13  Jesus departs into a solitary place,
15  where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes
22  He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34  and landing at Gennesaret,
35  heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment

Greek Commentary for Matthew 14:36

Were made perfectly whole [διεσώθησαν]
The preposition διά , through or through, indicates complete restoration. The Rev. omits perfectly, because whole, in itself, implies completeness. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 14:36

Luke 6:24 Consolation [παράκλησις]
From παρά , to the side of, and καλέω , to call or summon. Literally, a calling to one's side to help; and therefore entreaty, passing on into the sense of exhortation, and thence into that of consolatory exhortation; and so coming round to mean that which one is summoned to give to a suppliant - consolation. Thus it embodies the call for help, and the response to the call. Its use corresponds with that of the kindred verb παρακαλέω , to exhort or console. In its original sense of calling for aid the noun appears in the New Testament only in 2 Corinthians 8:4: with much entreaty. The verb appears frequently in this sense, rendered beseech, pray (Matthew 8:34; Matthew 14:36; Mark 1:40; Mark 5:12, etc.). In the sense of consolation or comfort the noun occurs in Luke 2:25; Luke 6:24; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philemon 1:7. The verb, in Matthew 2:18; Matthew 5:4:; Luke 16:25; 2 Corinthians 1:4. In some instances, however, the meaning wavers between console and exhort. In the sense of exhortation or counsel, the noun may be found in Acts 13:15; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:22. The verb, in Acts 2:40; Acts 11:23; Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; Titus 2:15. Neither the noun nor the verb appear in the writings of John, but the kindred word παράκλητος the Paraclete, Comforter, or Advocate, is peculiar to him. On this word, see on John 14:16. It should be noted, however, that the word comfort goes deeper than its popular conception of soothing. It is from the later Latin confortare, to make strong. Thus Wycliffe renders Luke 1:80, “the child waxed, and was comforted in spirit” (A. V., waxed strong )and Tyndale, Luke 22:43, “there appeared an angel from heaven comforting him” (A. V., strengthening )The comfort which Christ gives is not always soothing. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is to convince of sin and ofjudgment. Underlying the word is the sense of a wise counsel or admonition which rouses and braces the moral nature and encourages and strengthens it to do and to endure. When, therefore, Christ says “they that mourn shall be comforted,” he speaks in recognition of the fact that all sorrow is the outcome of sin, and that true comfort is given, not only in pardon for the past, but in strength to fight and resist and overcome sin. The atmosphere of the word, in short, is not the atmosphere of the sick-chamber, but the tonic breath of the open world, of moral struggle and victory; the atmosphere for him that climbs and toils and fights. [source]
Luke 6:19 Healed [ἰᾶτο]
Compare Matthew 14:36; Mark 6:56, where διεσώθησαν , were thoroughly saved, and ἐσώζοντο , were saved, are used. Luke is more technical, using the strictly medical term, which occurs twenty-eight times in the New Testament, seventeen of these in Luke. Luke also uses the two words employed by Matthew and Mark, but always with some addition showing the nature of the saving. Thus Luke 7:3, where διασώσῃ (A. V.,heal ) is explained by Luke 7:7, ἰαθήσεται , the technical word, shall be healed, and by Luke 7:10, “found the servant whole ( ὑγιαίνοντα , another professional word - see on Luke 5:31) that had been sick. ” Compare, also, Luke 8:35, Luke 8:36, Luke 8:44, Luke 8:47, Luke 8:48. Medical writers do not use σώζειν or διασώζειν , to save, as equivalent to ἰᾶσθαι , to heal, but in the sense of escaping from a severe illness or from some calamity. Luke employs it in this sense - Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1. [source]
Acts 23:24 To bring safe [hina diasōsōsin)]
Final clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of ινα διασωσωσιν — diasōzō old verb, to save through (ινα — dia) to a finish. Eight times in the N.T. (Matthew 14:36; Luke 7:3; Acts 23:24; Acts 27:43, Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1, Acts 28:4; 1 Peter 3:20). [source]
Acts 19:12 Aprons [σιμικιντια]
Latin word also, semicinctilum Only here in the N.T. Linen aprons used by servants or artisans (Martial XIV. 153). Paul did manual work at Ephesus (Acts 20:34) and so wore these aprons. Departed (ωστε — apallalsethai). Present passive infinitive with hōste for actual result as in Acts 19:10. If one wonders how God could honour such superstitious faith, he should remember that there is no power in superstition or in magic, but in God. If God never honoured any faith save that entirely free from superstition, how about Christian people who are troubled over the number 13, over the moon, the rabbit‘s foot? The poor woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Christ‘s garment and was healed (Luke 8:44-46) as others sought to do (Matthew 14:36). God condescends to meet us in our ignorance and weakness where he can reach us. Elisha had a notion that some of the power of Elijah resided in his mantle (2 Kings 2:13). Some even sought help from Peter‘s shadow (Acts 5:15). [source]
Acts 19:12 Departed [ωστε]
Present passive infinitive with hōste for actual result as in Acts 19:10. If one wonders how God could honour such superstitious faith, he should remember that there is no power in superstition or in magic, but in God. If God never honoured any faith save that entirely free from superstition, how about Christian people who are troubled over the number 13, over the moon, the rabbit‘s foot? The poor woman with an issue of blood touched the hem of Christ‘s garment and was healed (Luke 8:44-46) as others sought to do (Matthew 14:36). God condescends to meet us in our ignorance and weakness where he can reach us. Elisha had a notion that some of the power of Elijah resided in his mantle (2 Kings 2:13). Some even sought help from Peter‘s shadow (Acts 5:15). [source]
Acts 23:24 Beasts [κτηνη]
For riding as here or for baggage. See note on Luke 10:34. Asses or horses, but not war-horses. Since Paul was chained to a soldier, another animal would be required for baggage. It was also seventy miles and a change of horses might be needed. The extreme precaution of Lysias is explained in some Latin MSS. as due to fear of a night attack with the result that he might be accused to Felix of bribery. Luke also probably accompanied Paul. To bring safe (hina diasōsōsin). Final clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of ινα διασωσωσιν — diasōzō old verb, to save through (ινα — dia) to a finish. Eight times in the N.T. (Matthew 14:36; Luke 7:3; Acts 23:24; Acts 27:43, Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1, Acts 28:4; 1 Peter 3:20). Unto Felix the governor Felix was a brother of Pallas, the notorious favourite of Claudius. Both had been slaves and were now freedmen. Felix was made procurator of Judea by Claudius a.d. 52. He held the position till Festus succeeded him after complaints by the Jews to Nero. He married Drusilla the daughter of Herod Agrippa I with the hope of winning the favour of the Jews. He was one of the most depraved men of his time. Tacitus says of him that “with all cruelty and lust he exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” The term “governor” In the N.T. it is used of Pilate (Matthew 27:2), of Felix, (Acts 23:24, Acts 23:26, Acts 23:33; Acts 24:1), of Festus (Acts 26:30). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:10 Through the name [δια του ονοματος]
Genitive, not accusative (cause or reason), as the medium or instrument of the appeal (2 Corinthians 10:1; Romans 12:1; Romans 15:30). That (ινα — hina). Purport (sub-final) rather than direct purpose, common idiom in Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, pp.991-4) like Matthew 14:36. Used here with λεγητε ηι ητε κατηρτισμενοι — legēteλεγητε παντες — ēiμη ηι εν υμιν σχισματα — ēte katērtismenoi though expressed only once. All speak Present active subjunctive, that ye all keep on speaking. With the divisions in mind. An idiom from Greek political life (Lightfoot). This touch of the classical writers argues for Paul‘s acquaintance with Greek culture. There be no divisions among you (σχιζω — mē ēi en humin schismata). Present subjunctive, that divisions may not continue to be (they already had them). Negative statement of preceding idea. αιρεσεις — Schisma is from στασις — schizō old word to split or rend, and so means a rent (Matthew 9:16; Mark 2:21). Papyri use it for a splinter of wood and for ploughing. Here we have the earliest instance of its use in a moral sense of division, dissension, see also 1 Corinthians 11:18 where a less complete change than ητε δε κατηρτισμενοι — haireseis 1 Corinthians 12:25; John 7:43 (discord); John 9:16; John 10:19. “Here, faction, for which the classical word is νοι — stasis division within the Christian community” (Vincent). These divisions were over the preachers (1:12-4:21), immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1-13), going to law before the heathen (1 Corinthians 6:1-11), marriage (7:1-40), meats offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8-10), conduct of women in church (11:1-16), the Lord‘s Supper (11:17-34), spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14), the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). But that ye be perfected together Periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive. See this verb in Matthew 4:21 (Mark 1:19) for mending torn nets and in moral sense already in 1 Thessalonians 3:10. Galen uses it for a surgeon‘s mending a joint and Herodotus for composing factions. See 2 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 6:1. Mind (νους — noi), judgment (γνωμη — gnōmēi). “Of these words νους — nous denotes the frame or state of mind, gnōmē the judgment, opinion or sentiment, which is the outcome of nous ” (Lightfoot). [source]
1 Corinthians 1:10 That [ινα]
Purport (sub-final) rather than direct purpose, common idiom in Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, pp.991-4) like Matthew 14:36. Used here with λεγητε ηι ητε κατηρτισμενοι — legēteλεγητε παντες — ēiμη ηι εν υμιν σχισματα — ēte katērtismenoi though expressed only once. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 14:36 mean?

and they were begging Him that only they might touch the fringe of the garment of Him as many as touched were cured
καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν ἵνα μόνον ἅψωνται τοῦ κρασπέδου τοῦ ἱματίου αὐτοῦ ὅσοι ἥψαντο διεσώθησαν

παρεκάλουν  they  were  begging 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: παρακαλέω  
Sense: to call to one’s side, call for, summon.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
μόνον  only 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μόνον  
Sense: only, alone, but.
ἅψωνται  they  might  touch 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἅπτω  
Sense: to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to.
κρασπέδου  fringe 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: κράσπεδον  
Sense: the extremity or prominent part of a thing, edge, skirt, margin.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἱματίου  garment 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ἱμάτιον  
Sense: a garment (of any sort).
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὅσοι  as  many  as 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὅσος  
Sense: as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever.
ἥψαντο  touched 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἅπτω  
Sense: to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to.
διεσώθησαν  were  cured 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: διασῴζω  
Sense: to preserve through danger, to bring safely through.