In the wake of the historical shifts surrounding Roe vs. Wade, the question of what the Bible communicates about abortion has become a prominent question that is often directed towards scholars and Biblical professors. Interestingly, the term “abortion” does not appear in the Bible, and this finding has been reiterated by many scholars, who note that even across the spectrum of the 600 laws of Moses, none explicitly touch upon abortion.

(https://ffrf.org/about/getting-acquainted/item/18514-what-does-the-bible-say-about-abortion)

Yet, even among this silence, a different narrative emerges. Within the pages of the Bible—a text crafted millennia ago, steeped in patriarchy and gender inequality—we also unexpectedly stumble across certain stories where women making choices about their bodies are encouraged and even applauded.

 In my blog, I’ll delve into the narrative of the hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5:25-34, offering a unique interpretation that considers reproductive justice. While this story has been analyzed from various angles, I aim to shed light on the central character—a woman grappling with a gynecological ailment—through the perspectives of reproductive justice.

Why Reproductive Justice?

Rather than confining the interpretation of the Biblical text solely to the realm of abortion, my intention is to broaden the perspective by employing the lens of Reproductive Justice. Merely being “pro-choice,” as highlighted by Loretta J. Ross, the trailblazer of the Reproductive Justice Movement, falls short, as she rightly asserts, “Choice is not worth much to women who have no choices.” Reproductive Justice transcends beyond abortion, contraception, and reproductive care, emphasizing the glaring reality that these essential services remain elusive for individuals marginalized by factors such as racism, poverty, class, and immigration status. It advocates for the comprehensive inclusion of everyone, recognizing their human rights to maintain personal bodily autonomy, decide on parenthood, and raise children in secure and sustainable communities (https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice)  At its essence, Reproductive Justice emphatically declares that bodily autonomy is an inherent human right. Remarkably, the Bible not only upholds this fundamental right but also praises decisions made by women regarding their bodies.

Mark 5:25-34: Pro-Choice Power in Body, Faith, and Healing!

Mark 5:25-34, is the story of the hemorrhaging woman. Interestingly this story appears in all three gospels (Matt 9:2-22 & Luke 8:43-48), but the one we find in Mark is the longest. For this reason, I will focus on this version.

Mk. 5:25-26 says, “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.”

The narrative of the hemorrhaging woman has long captivated the attention of scholars and preachers, and upon closer examination, certain aspects stand out profoundly. Firstly, similar to other women in healing narratives in the gospels, this woman is also unnamed. Secondly, the gravity of her affliction is starkly portrayed; she has been bleeding for twelve years. Thirdly, readers are also told that this woman had sought help from “many doctors” but none of them could help her. Additionally, we cannot ignore the gynecological nature of her illness which only seeks to intensify the nature of her struggles in this story. Although the hemorrhaging woman is commended for her steadfast faith in this narrative, it’s crucial to perceive her as an individual actively making decisions about her body, actively seeking healing.

Through the lens of reproductive justice, it’s crucial to emphasize that this woman’s agency transcends faith. In a patriarchal Biblical era, where gender equality and rights were virtually nonexistent, this story stands as an anomaly. Notably, the woman lacks not only a name but also any male relatives or guardians accompanying her in the text. She stands alone. This absence starkly highlights the reality that the hemorrhaging woman is autonomously navigating decisions about her body and treatment. Her body, her choices – actively determining how it should be treated and healed.

Mk 5:26 She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 

The assertion is clear: decisions about women’s bodies are fundamentally a matter between a woman and her doctor. In the context of the hemorrhaging woman’s story, she alone carried the financial investment for her healing, and the pivotal choices regarding treatment was between her and her doctors. This underscores a powerful narrative of women exercising agency over their own bodies in partnership with medical professionals. Simultaneously, there is a tendency to filter her actions through a religious or faith lens rather than recognizing her autonomy. This approach effectively suppresses the substantial evidence that this woman is exercising bodily autonomy—a fundamental human right, especially in an era when women had limited rights.

Mark 5: 27 says.” When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

In their comprehensive examination titled “Repercussions of Overturning Roe v. Wade for Women across Systems and Beyond Borders,” authors Karie Coen-Sanchez, Bassey Ebeno, Leman El-Mowfi, Maria Bergs, Dina Idriss-Wheeler, and Sanni Yaya shed light on the far-reaching implications of overturning Roe v. Wade, with a specific emphasis on its impact on women of color. The assertion that opposing abortion in 2022 is not only sexist but also “racist” serves as a critical perspective, highlighting the unequal distribution of healthcare access, where educated white women maintain privileges while women of color bear a disproportionate burden of the consequences (https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-022-01490-y)

“The best health care is provided free of political interference in the patient-physician relationship. Personal decision making by women and their doctors should not be replaced by political ideology,” asserts the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (source: https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/abortion-is-healthcare). In contrast to the potential constraints faced by future generations of daughters and granddaughters in the United States, the narrative of the hemorrhaging woman stands as a testament to unhindered healthcare autonomy. Acting independently and without seeking counsel from male figures regarding her health, this woman deliberately makes choices about her well-being. The internal dialogue, embodied in the words, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed,” highlights the independence and personal nature of this choice. In a broader context, it echoes the philosophy that choices about women’s health are profoundly personal and between a woman and her doctor.

Mark 5: 32 says, But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

The narrative gains significance when Jesus instead of reproaching the hemorrhaging woman, applauds her actions. While conventional interpretations credit Jesus’s response to the woman’s faith, a more compelling perspective emerges: Jesus praises this woman for her bold action to securing her own healing. In this compelling narrative, Jesus publicly applauds the woman’s autonomy, a celebration witnessed by a crowd. What captivates the attention is the woman’s refusal to linger for a “male savior” to rescue her; she boldly forges ahead, actively seeking the healing that she determines is right for her body; a determination evident even in her interaction with Jesus. Read through this lens, this story underscores the significance of women not only making decisions about their bodies and their path to seek healing, but also is a reminder that women even in the ancient world knew their bodies well enough and had the maturity and understanding of making decisions about their own bodies. Viewed through the lens of reproductive justice, the narrative emphasizes not just women’s agency in navigating their bodies and pursuing healing but also serves as a poignant reminder that, even in the ancient world, women possessed a profound understanding of their bodies. This story resonates as a testament to the inherent maturity and wisdom of women in making decisions about their own bodies.

Conclusion-Because Why Not!

In a world where the Bible’s historical role has been one of potential oppression, its transformative power comes to light when we challenge traditional interpretations. By reframing our approach, the sacred text becomes a wellspring of empowerment and liberation, urging us to see beyond the constraints of the past and embrace a future where trust in women, amplified voices, and unwavering autonomy can begin to shape our collective journey. In embracing the transformative potential of these stories, are we not paving the way for a future where trust in women, amplified voices, and unwavering autonomy redefine the very fabric of our societal norms?

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Sharon Jacob currently serves as a Visiting Professor of New Testament and Postcolonial Studies at Claremont School of Theology. With over 12+ years of teaching experience, she has successfully trained more than 200 leaders, spanning church leaders, laity, activists, organizers, and individuals in non-profit sectors. As a fervent biblical scholar, author, and speaker, Sharon’s passion shines through her work.

Drawing inspiration from postcolonial theory, gender and sexuality studies, and critical race studies, she skillfully introduces students to interpretations of sacred texts that resonate with contemporary realities. Driven by a profound vocation, she seeks to empower individuals to become critical readers of sacred texts, striving to dismantle harmful interpretations that have perpetuated the isolation, suffering, and marginalization of countless people and communities.

For those interested in engaging with Dr. Sharon Jacob’s impactful work or inviting her to speak and introduce new, exciting perspectives on the Bible to your faith communities please reach out to her at sharonjacobpts@gmail.com. Your exploration of innovative ways to approach biblical studies awaits.