JESUS, WOMEN’S BODIES, AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF ELEK MARBORU
A Feminist Hermeneutical Reading of Mark 5:25–34
Keywords:
Hermeneutika Feminis; , Elek Marboru; , Markus 5:25–34Abstract
This article interprets Mark 5:25–34 through a contextual feminist hermeneutical approach in dialogue with the Batak cultural value of elek marboru. Existing feminist interpretations of this passage have largely emphasized women’s bodily marginalization and critiques of patriarchal social structures, yet they rarely engage local wisdom as a contemporary interpretive context, particularly within the Indonesian setting. Employing a qualitative hermeneutical method, this study combines historical–social analysis of the Marcan text with a contextual dialogue between Jesus’ actions and the relational ethic embedded in elek marboru. The findings indicate that Jesus’ response to the hemorrhaging woman marked by gentleness, public acknowledgment, and the restoration of her dignity reflects a relational ethic that resonates strongly with elek marboru, which emphasizes empathy, respect, and the protection of women’s dignity. Jesus’ healing is therefore understood not merely as a physical act but as a social and symbolic restoration that reintegrates the woman into the community. This study demonstrates that feminist hermeneutics, when practiced contextually, need not undermine the authority of Scripture but can instead enrich biblical interpretation through constructive engagement with local cultural values. Consequently, this article contributes to the development of an Indonesian contextual theology that is relational, dialogical, and rooted in local wisdom
References
Ambarita, Sandora, Celine Nababan, Lovina Sinambela, and Eleven Sihotang. “Mengapa Aku Dijauhkan ? Jeritan Hati Orang dengan HIV Aids ( ODHA ): Upaya Tafsir Sosioretorik terhadap Markus 5 : 25 - 34.” Jurnal Diakonia 5, no. 2 (2025): 76–89.
Astria, Dian, Puspa Ningrum, Bymmas Subangga, dan Fikri Mahzumi. “Patriarchy in Text and Context : A Synthesis of Paul Ricoeur ’ S Hermeneutics and Mansour Fakih ’ S Structural Analysis.” Journal of Islamic Thought and Philosophy (JITP) 4, no. 1 (2025): 1–22.
Fiorenza, Elisabeth S. Wisdom Way: Introducing Feminist Biblical Interpretation. New York: Orbis Books, 2001.
Fujiati, Danik. “Seksualitas Perempuan dalam Budaya Patriarki.” Muwazah 8, no. 1 (2016): 26–47.
Harianja, Rufer Firma, and Ajat Sudrajat. “The Local Wisdom of Batak Toba through the Philosophy of Dalihan Na Tolu in a Kinship Environment.” Budapest Institute (2020): 759–765.
Laholo, Dedi Bili. “Siapa yang Menjamah Aku ? Menafsir Narasi Lukas 8 : 43 – 48 dengan Pendekatan Poskolonial Feminis.” Gema Teologika: Jurnal Teologi Kontekstual dan Filsafat Keilahian 6, no. 2 (2021): 179–196.
Logo, Maria Magdalena Bire. “Mempertemukan Agama Lokal dan Kekristenan dalam Bingkai Kontekstualisasi dan Poskolonial” Jurnal Apostolos 2, no. 2 (2022): 102–117.
Mali, Mateus. “Women in The Gospel and in Moral Theology.” Gema Teologika: Jurnal Teologi Kontekstual dan Filsafat Keilahian 6, no. 1 (2021): 17–34.
Malina, Bruce J., Richard L. Rohrbaugh. Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
Manullang, Megawati. “Inkulturasi Dalihan Na Tolu Bentuk Misi Kristen di Tanah Batak.” Jurnal Teologi “Cultivation" 2, no. 1 (2018): 1–19.
Mila, Suryaningsi. “Perempuan, Tubuhnya dan Narasi Perkosaan dalam Ideologi Patriarki: Kajian Hermeneutik Feminis terhadap Narasi Perkosaan Tamar Dalam II Samuel 13:1-22.” Indonesia Journal of Theology 4, no. 1 (2016): 78–99.
Muhammad Patri Arifin. “Penafsiran Kontekstual Kesaksian Perempuan.” Musawa: Journal for Gender Study 9, no. 1 (2017): 105–128.
N Hutasoit, RJ Siagian. “Integrasi Dalihan Na Tolu ke dalam Pelayanan Gereja: Studi Teologi Kontekstual Budaya Batak.” Marsahala, no. 1 (2025).
Natar, Asnath N. dkk. Menyuarakan yang Tak Terdengar: Pemikiran, Agensi, dan Gerakan Perempuan di Balik Lembar Kitab Suci. Jakarta: UI Publishers, 2024.
Nuniary, Marthinus Nomasu, Mellisya Simon, Ishak Dipong, and Vira Sarimolle. “Patriarki yang Bertemu di Persimpangan : Relasi antara Budaya Lokal dan Agama dalam Membentuk Kuasa atas Perempuan.” Jurnal Teologi Trinity 1, no. 1 (2025): 44–63.
Pakpahan, Kadiman. BATAK PARIPURNA Perspektif : Beradat, Bertuhan, dan Bernegara. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Karya Bakti Makmur, 2026.
Pardosi, Subriyanto dan Milton Thorman. “Analisis Eksegesis Kata Dunamin dalam Markus 6 : 5 Dikaitkan dengan Pelayanan Yesus dan Pertumbuhan Iman.” Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity (Jireh) 7, no. 1 (2025): 217–226.
Parimpasa, Samuel, Romelus Blegur, Yohanis Kotte, and Hari Wahyudi. “Persoalan Hermeneutis Tentang Konsep Allah Kaum Feminis Berdasarkan Perspektif Teologi Injili.” Missio Ecclesiae 13, no. 2 (2024): 96–108.
Putrawan, Bobby Kurnia. “Perempuan dan Kepemimpinan Gereja : Suatu Dialog Perspektif Hermeneutika Feminis.” Kurios 6, no. 1 (2020): 114–126.
Rahmawati, Rahmawati, Arwin Tannuary, Herman Herman, and Arisdani Elman Situmorang. “Functional Grammar Study: Analyzing the Batak Proverb ‘Dalihan Natolu’ from the Perspective of Systemic Functional Grammar.” Indonesian EFL Journal 11, no. 2 (2025): 159–170.
Ratela, Lia, Denny Tarumingi dan Mieke Sendow. “Healing Ministry dalam Perspektif Teologi Pembebasan bagi Perempuan.” Jurnal Teologi Muntep 1, no. 1 (2025): 1–26.
Raulina, Raulina. “‘Tersungkurlah Ia Memohon pada Yesus’: Kritik Naratif Markus 5:21-24, 35-43 dalam Perspektif Tanggung Jawab Seorang Ayah.” Dunamis: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristiani 9, no. 1 (2024): 23–40.
Saragih, Erman Sepniagus. “Theological Reinterpretation of Stereotypes of Woman as Parboru in Tolu Sahundulan Lima Saodoran Kinship System.” Indonesian Journal of Theology 12, no. 1 (2024): 96–124.
Septiani, Anggi Mariana. “Peran Iman dalam Kesembuhan Ilahi: Studi Eksegesis terhadap Markus 5:25-34.” Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Satyabhakti Malang, 2023.
Setiawan, Iwan, Yulia Vriska, and Chresty Thessy. “Kajian Teologis terhadap Status Perempuan dalam Perjanjian Baru.” Missio Ecclesiae ISSN 10, no. 2 (2021): 155–168.
Simangunsong, Amran. “Dalihan Natolu: Towards Gender Equity in the Batak Society.” Academic Journal of Asia Region june, no. 1 (2022): 14–28.
Sinaga, Agus Parasian. Anak Ni Raja & Boru Ni Raja : Upaya Membangun Kesetaraan Gender dalam Perspektif Budaya Batak. Indramayu: Penerbit Adab, 2025.
———. Anak Ni Raja & Boru Ni Raja : Upaya Membangun Kesetaraan Gender dalam Perspektif Budaya Batak Toba. Indramayu: Penerbit Adab, 2025.
Sipahutar, Roy Charly H P, Rinto Tampubolon, and Andar Gunawan Pasaribu. “Ekofeminisme Batak Toba : Pembacaan Lintas Tekstual Kejadian 1 dan Kosmologi Si Boru Deang Parujar.” Kurios: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen 9, no. 3 (2023): 715–729.
Siregar, Arjuna Junifer, dkk. “Internationalization of Ethical Values in Toba Batak Ceremonies: An Anthroplinguistic Perspective.” Jurnal Pembelajaran Bahasa dan Sastra 4, no. November (2025): 1905–1920.
Sugianto, Edy. “Journal of Theology and Christian Education.” Quaerens: Jurnal of Theology and Christian Education 1, no. 2 (2019): 184–209.
Tan, Susy. “Pemulihan Relasi Sosial dalam Narasi ‘Anak yang Hilang’ (Lukas 15 : 11 – 32) Sebagai Paradigma Keadilan Restoratif Bagi Diversi Anak Di Indonesia.” Jurnal Locus : Penelitian & Pengabdian 5, no. 2 (2026): 864–873.
Tumiwa, Evi S E, and Nathania Nesa. “Kajian Historis Peran Perempuan Dalam Pelayanan Di Tengah Tradisi Abad Satu.” Educatio Christi 6, no. 1 (2025): 133–144.
Valdo, Mikha, Tonggo Tambunan, and Yulia Fanissah Sihotang. “Budaya Patriarki dalam Suku Batak Toba terhadap Hak dan Kedudukan , Tradisi , Peran, Gender dan Perubahan Sosial.” Literasi Bahasa dan Sastra Journal 2, no. 2 (2025): 75–86.
Wospakrik, Martha Maria. “Perempuan dalam Teologi Kristen: Perspektif Teologi Feminis.” Murai : Jurnal Papua Teologi Kontekstual 6, no. 2 (2025): 159–166.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Serepina Yoshika Hasibuan, Setiaman Larosa (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
