56 Wherever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The border of his garment - Compare the notes at Matthew 9:20.
Villages - Probably small towns near cities.
Country - Villages at a distance from cities and large public towns. See the notes on Matthew 14:34-36 (note).
Christ went about doing good - he confined his ministry and miracles to no place - wherever he went, they stood in need of his help; and whenever they required his assistance, they had it granted immediately. Our Lord's conduct, in these respects, is a perfect pattern for every preacher of his Gospel.
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched (a) him were made whole.
(a) Or the hem of his garment.
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country,.... Whether in smaller towns, or larger cities, or the fields, where were houses, here and there one:
they laid the sick in the streets; or "markets", in any public places:
and besought him that they but might touch the border of his garment; if they might not be admitted to touch his person, or he did not choose to lay his hands on them:
and as many as touched him; or "it", the border of his garment, as they desired:
were made whole; of whatsoever sickness, or disease, they were afflicted with; See Gill on Matthew 14:36.
and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment--having heard, no doubt, of what the woman with the issue of blood experienced on doing so (Mark 5:25-29), and perhaps of other unrecorded cases of the same nature.
and as many as touched him--or "it"--the border of His garment.
were made whole--All this they continued to do and to experience while our Lord was in that region. The time corresponds to that mentioned (John 7:1), when He "walked in Galilee," instead of appearing in Jerusalem at the passover, "because the Jews," that is, the rulers, "sought to kill Him"--while the people sought to enthrone Him!
*More commentary available at chapter level.