Are you thinking to combine the stories into one for the evaluation?

Celebrating the death of a maiden - you may be onto something with both parts of the Markan "sandwich" (a pad with different layers?) referring to the same female, and how to stop the flow of blood. I woke this morning and was thinking about this. I guess that I'm a little slower thinking at 60 than I was at 20. When I first read your article it didn't really stick - perhaps not that interesting to me initially, or maybe I was just tired and mindlessly scrolling.

But, it seems there is actually more to it. At least I think that's why I was thinking on it this morning before my mind got polluted and confused and distracted by checking email, etc.

In Mark, this sandwich (Celebrating the Death of a Maiden) falls at the very end of chapter 5. Mark 6 is my favorite chapter, and perhaps I will get that written up some day. I started working on it a couple days ago, but got interrupted by my wife, asking me to fix something, and just didn't get back to it.

What I'm wondering in regards to "12 years" for the maiden, is could the story be related to the two mentions of 12 disciples in Mark 6? The only two times the 12 disciples were sent out without Jesus, is recorded in Mark 6. Allow me to point this out with a basic outline of the chapter:

a Jesus in hometown, people lacked faith

b Jesus sends the 12 with authority over "unclean spirits"

c Feast of Herod's birthday (coming of age) - served on a platter is blood (with the head of John the baptizer) - a reward for a dancing "daughter"? Was the offer of a reward (up to half my kingdom) potentially an indecent marriage proposal? Was it really a party to celebrate her coming of age, such as a bat mitzvah or quinceanero?

c1 Feast of 5000, Jesus has compassion and teaches

b1 Jesus sends the 12 to Bethsaida (and they end up in Genessaret - a nightmare of sorts with making no progress against the waves, and having a vision of a ghost on the water)

a1 Jesus in Genessaret, people rushed all around to bring the sick to the marketplaces that they may touch the clothing of Jesus

One other thing is interesting. In his hometown, the only healing that is done is accomplished by laying hands on the few who were healed. In Genessaret, the people had faith and the healing was done by them touching the garment of Jesus. Could it be this is an extension of what he taught regarding the maiden? (In one instance he is touched, in the other he does the touching). Jesus' teaching was rejected in his hometown, and accepted elsewhere. So, were menstrating women brought to the marketplaces that they might get their hands on this miracle cloth?

I have my own theory about the function of the two feasts at the center of Mark 6. This is what I would like to get written up. I believe the story of Herod's birthday party is intentionally placed before the feeding of the 5000. It interrupts the flow of narrative, and would otherwise seem appropriate to be placed in Mark 1 with other dialogue regarding John the baptizer. I look at the worldliness of this feast, who would have been invited, what exquisite foods they likely had, and yet the only thing specifically mentioned as being served is death.

I believe we are meant to compare and contrast the two feasts. One feast convened by someone wanting to draw attention to himself, seeking power, inviting only those who have power, position, and money, etc. The other convened because of compassion, and all who seek him are welcome. One feast upholds and celebrates worldly values, while the other potentially rejects those worldly values.

Here I will state that I believe the military was present, and included in the feeding of the 5000. Tabgha is well within sight of Herod's headquarters in Tiberias, and the military would have been well aware if there were thousands massing somewhere. The hint of sitting in 50's and 100's potentially suggests the military was there, including at least one Centurion. It could be that some in the military wanted to hear more about, and from, Jesus.

Further, it is my conclusion that the people present, including the military, brought out food they had with them - and shared it with each other (not that it miraculously multiplied). Where else would the 12 baskets come from that were used for the leftovers? And here we have another mention of 12. Not everyone would have had food, but after listening to the teaching of Jesus, they were likely more willing to share.

I mention these things because I see a potential connection and expansion of what you are seeing at the end of Mark 5. But weaving it all together might be a challenge - if there's actually something there to expand upon.