And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus' question, "Who touched me?" isn't about physical contact in the midst of the crowd; it's a discerning inquiry about the touch of faith, the one that truly connected with His power for healing. Peter, focused on the physical press of the crowd, misses the spiritual reality Jesus perceives.
And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just arrived back with a crowd eager to see Him, and as He begins to teach, a synagogue ruler, Jairus, falls at His feet begging Him to save his dying daughter. While Jesus is on His way to Jairus' home, a woman secretly touches His cloak in faith, and is instantly healed from a twelve-year illness. Jesus, sensing this power has gone out from Him, stops and asks who touched Him, much to the confusion of His disciples who point out the overwhelming press of the crowd.
Jesus felt a power leave Him. Yet, the crowd was all around, pushing and shoving. How could He tell one touch from another?
It's easy to get lost in the crowd, even in our faith. So many people are around, so many voices, so many activities. They might bump against Jesus, figuratively speaking, just going through the motions. But this woman's touch was different. It wasn't just a physical contact in a packed space. It was a touch fueled by desperation and a deep-seated belief that Jesus held the answer. She wasn't just trying to get His attention; she was reaching out with all her heart, believing that contact with Him would bring healing. Jesus perceived this touch, this 'virtue' going out of Him, because it was a touch of faith, a connection that went beyond the physical.
Peter saw a sea of people, a physical reality of overwhelming contact. Jesus, however, perceived something far more significant. What's the disconnect?
Peter’s response is totally understandable from a human perspective. The crowd was enormous, a physical pressure cooker. He's focused on the logistics, the undeniable physical reality of being surrounded. 'Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!' he exclaims. It’s a statement of fact, but it misses the deeper spiritual reality Jesus was experiencing. Jesus, on the other hand, is attuned to the spiritual currents. He felt the specific touch of faith and healing amidst the general press of the crowd. Peter’s focus is on the external – the numbers, the physical force. Jesus’ focus is on the internal – the faith, the spiritual connection, the individual’s need and response.
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Understand the original words
epistatēs · Greek Noun
A title used for Jesus by his disciples, meaning "teacher," "leader," or "one with authority." It acknowledges Jesus’ role as their Rabbi and authoritative guide.
This event occurs within a context of immense crowds and urgency, highlighting the contrast between the general press of the multitude and the specific, faith-filled touch of the woman.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry Gains Momentum
Jesus' popularity and healing ministry grow significantly across Galilee, drawing large crowds wherever he travels.
Early 1st century AD
Jairus Seeks Jesus' Help
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, approaches Jesus with an urgent plea to heal his dying daughter.
Early 1st century AD
The Woman Touches Jesus' Cloak
While Jesus is on his way to Jairus' house, a woman secretly touches the fringe of his cloak, experiencing an instant healing from a chronic ailment.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Senses Power Departure
Jesus feels power leave him and questions who touched him, causing confusion among the disciples and the surrounding crowd.
Early 1st century AD
Jairus' Daughter Dies
Messengers arrive with the devastating news that Jairus' daughter has died, seemingly ending all hope.
This passage directly parallels Jesus's question and the disciples' response, highlighting Peter's observation about the overwhelming crowds pressing in on Jesus. It emphasizes the contrast between the general physical contact and the specific touch of faith.
John 10:24-25The crowds' questioning of Jesus here, asking if he will tell them plainly, echoes the disciples' bewilderment in Luke 8:45. Both passages show a disconnect between the common perception of Jesus and the deeper reality of his divine power being sought.
1 Corinthians 1:23This verse speaks of Christ being a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, which resonates with Peter's pragmatic dismissal of Jesus's question. Peter, like many others, saw Jesus as a mere man surrounded by a crowd, failing to grasp the profound spiritual transaction occurring.
Matthew 9:20-22This parallel account describes the same event, including the woman's touch and Jesus's question. It further illuminates the faith-driven nature of her touch, differentiating it from the mere pressing of the crowd that Peter observed.
ellicottLuke 8:45: "And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?"
(45) Master. —The same word as in Luke 8:24 , where see Note.
jfbLuke 8:40-56: "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him."
Lu 8:40-56. Jairus' Daughter Raised and Issue of Blood Healed.(See on [1603]Mt 9:18-26; and [1604]Mr 5:21-43).40. gladly received him, for … all waiting for him—The abundant teaching of that day (in Mt 13:1-58; and see Mr 4:36), had only whetted the people's appetite; and disappointed, as would seem, that He had left them in the evening to cross the lake, they r…
Jesus' question, "Who touched me?" isn't about physical contact in the midst of the crowd; it's a discerning inquiry about the touch of faith, the one that truly connected with His power for healing. Peter, focused on the physical press of the crowd, misses the spiritual reality Jesus perceives.
Jesus has just arrived back with a crowd eager to see Him, and as He begins to teach, a synagogue ruler, Jairus, falls at His feet begging Him to save his dying daughter. While Jesus is on His way to Jairus' home, a woman secretly touches His cloak in faith, and is instantly healed from a twelve-year illness. Jesus, sensing this power has gone out from Him, stops and asks who touched Him, much to the confusion of His disciples who point out the overwhelming press of the crowd.
Jesus has just arrived back with a crowd eager to see Him, and as He begins to teach, a synagogue ruler, Jairus, falls at His feet begging Him to save his dying daughter. While Jesus is on His way to Jairus' home, a woman secretly touches His cloak in faith, and is instantly healed from a twelve-year illness. Jesus, sensing this power has gone out from Him, stops and asks who touched Him, much to the confusion of His disciples who point out the overwhelming press of the crowd.
"And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”" — Jesus' question, "Who touched me?" isn't about physical contact in the midst of the crowd; it's a discerning inquiry about the touch of faith, the one that truly connected with His power for healing.…
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Last reviewed October 2026