And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Ver. 36. And as many as touched, &c.] Oh the matchless might and mercy of Christ our Saviour! He condescends to their infirmity, and heals them promiscuously, not once questioning their deserts. He giveth to all men liberally, and hitteth no man in the teeth with his former failings or present infirmities, James 1:5. Be we also, by his example, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. This was the philosophical friendship of the Pythagoreans, the legal of the Essenes (a sect among the Jews, that had their names of healing), a and should be most of all the evangelical friendship of us Christians. "Thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer," &c.,Isaiah 58:12 : a gallant title, better than a thousand escutcheons. b
a Essenes from the Syriac אסא to heal; for besides the Bible they studied physic. Godw. Antiq. llebr.
b The shield or shield-shaped surface on which a coat of arms is depicted ŒD