# The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd — Poetry character guide

> The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd in Poetry by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd Near him she stole, rank after rank

**First appearance:** 0056-the-gospel-women

## Snapshot

A woman who steals through the crowd rank after rank, believing that a single touch will disenchant her and grant her prayer.

## Who they are

She comes behind him in the crowd, stealing near through rank after rank, her faith a quiet act of reaching rather than speaking. Her distinctive tension is between her hiddenness and her bold belief—she folds her arms, blind and dumb, trusting that night will free her hands for fair delight. She matters because her touch embodies the book's recurring hope that the smallest, most secret gesture can thaw charmed bands and release ransomed music into the soul.

## In the story

### [The Gospel Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-gospel-women)

A woman with a twelve-year affliction who touches Jesus' garment in faith and is healed, receiving the tender name 'Daughter'.

### [II: The Woman That Lifted Up Her Voice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/ii-the-woman-that-lifted-up-her-voice)

She lifts up her voice in loving agony, blessing Jesus' mother, and is gently redirected by Jesus.

### [III: The Mother of Zebedee's Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/iii-the-mother-of-zebedee-s-children)

The mother of Zebedee's children, who kneels and makes a bold request for her sons' exaltation.

### [V: The Widow of Nain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/v-the-widow-of-nain)

The widow of Nain, whose son is raised; she clings to her restored son in silent, trusting joy.

### [VI: The Woman Whom Satan Had Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/vi-the-woman-whom-satan-had-bound)

The central figure of the poem, bound by Satan for eighteen years, patient and bowed, who is healed and rises.

### [VII: The Woman Who Came Behind Him in the Crowd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/vii-the-woman-who-came-behind-him-in-the-crowd)

She steals through the crowd, touches Jesus' garment in faith, and is healed after twelve years of suffering. She confesses all at his feet.

### [XI: The Woman of Samaria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xi-the-woman-of-samaria)

The woman of Samaria, initially listless and weary, encounters Jesus at the well and becomes a herald of his presence.

### [XIII: The Woman in the Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xiii-the-woman-in-the-temple)

The accused woman, described with shame and terror, who receives Jesus' mercy.

### [The Woman That Was a Sinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xvi-the-woman-that-was-a-sinner)

The repentant sinner who washes Jesus' feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, and anoints him with ointment.

### [Somnium Mystici](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/somnium-mystici)

A patient watcher who has lifted the narrator from many tombs, sitting alone in the hut.

### [A Manchester Poem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/a-manchester-poem)

The woman in the poem, who works in the factory and shares a domestic life with the man; she notices the moon and smiles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/the_woman_who_came_behind_him
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters