New Testament

Matthew 14:36

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his robe — and everyone who touched it was completely healed.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

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

What Matthew 14:36 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, people approached Jesus with a deep faith, believing that even a simple touch of his garment could heal them. Their desperation and faith highlight the power of Jesus' presence and the miracles he performed. The act of touching the hem of his robe symbolizes their trust in his ability to heal. This moment illustrates that faith, even in small measures, can lead to significant healing and restoration. The phrase 'made perfectly whole' indicates that those who touched his garment experienced complete healing, both physically and spiritually. This reflects the broader theme of Jesus' ministry, where he not only healed physical ailments but also restored individuals to wholeness in their lives. The verse emphasizes the importance of faith and the belief that Jesus can bring about miraculous changes in our lives, encouraging us to reach out to him in our times of need.

How to apply Matthew 14:36 to your life

This verse encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs, believing in his power to heal and restore. It reminds us that even a small act of faith can lead to significant changes in our lives. We should not hesitate to reach out to him in prayer and trust in his ability to help us.

Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of the angel Gabriel visiting Mary

Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: An Angel Visits Mary (Luke 1:26–38)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Jesus

An old color photograph of Nazareth spread across a hillside in Galilee.

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Nazareth

The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Matthew 14:36

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Matthew 14:36

At a Glance — the Book of Matthew

Author
Matthew the apostle
Written
Around AD 60-70
Genre
Gospel
Original Audience
Jewish Christians

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Matthew 14:36 mean?

Matthew 14:36 describes how people believed that touching the edge of Jesus' robe could heal them. Their faith in his power highlights the significance of trust in Jesus for healing and restoration.

What is the meaning of 'hem of his garment' in Matthew 14:36?

The 'hem of his garment' refers to the edge of Jesus' robe, symbolizing the belief that even a small act of faith, like touching it, could lead to miraculous healing.

How does Matthew 14:36 relate to faith?

Matthew 14:36 shows that faith, even in small measures, can lead to significant healing. The people’s trust in Jesus' ability to heal demonstrates the importance of approaching him with our needs.

What can we learn from Matthew 14:36?

From Matthew 14:36, we learn the importance of reaching out to Jesus in faith. It encourages us to believe in his power to heal and restore, no matter how small our faith may seem.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.