Abstract:
This article investigated whether Mark 5:25–34 proposes a radical discontinuity with the
Jewish purity codes and subsequently, holds drastic liberating implications for women as
far as access to the temple is concerned and more existentially speaking, access to Yahweh.
It determined whether Leviticus speaks about women in such an androcentric and exclusive
manner and whether Jewish culture is indeed so discriminating. This article argued that Mark
5:25–34 does indeed radically turn the Jewish purity codes upside down and that the Jesus
movement proclaims a drastic liberation for women from social marginalisation. However,
the original meaning of the text in Leviticus should not be viewed so negatively. The dreadful
consequences of the exile and the destruction of the temple lead to the idea amongst the
orthodox rabbi’s that the purity codes should be maintained in a very strict way. These codes
were thought to ensure that the holiness of Yahweh would manifest in the social sphere, the
people of Yahweh would be blessed and a catastrophe of these immense proportions would be
avoided in future. Unfortunately, this lead to the degeneration of the cult, that became exclusive
as many people were deprived from the presence of Yahweh. The author of the Gospel according
to Mark is reacting to this and clearly voices his criticism against this marginalisation.
