Luke 8:46
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus doesn't just notice that he was touched, but specifically how he was touched. While the crowd jostled Him, this woman's touch was different – it was a deliberate, faith-filled connection that drew out His power.
As Jesus is returning from the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd presses in on Him, eager to hear Him and witness His miracles. Amidst this throng, a synagogue ruler named Jairus pleads with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. It is during this chaotic but expectant moment that a woman, suffering from a chronic illness, secretly touches Jesus' cloak in faith, believing it will heal her.
The crowd pressed in on Jesus, but only one touch truly registered. What made the difference?
Imagine being in a packed stadium – everyone is physically close, but how many do you actually connect with? That’s what Jesus experienced. The massive crowd jostled Him, a mere physical contact born of the press. But the woman with the issue of blood reached out with a different kind of touch – the touch of faith.
Jesus’ question, 'Someone touched me,' wasn't about the physical contact of the throng. He was looking for that distinct, intentional touch of faith. As the commentators note, flesh presses, but faith touches. This wasn’t just about brushing against Him; it was a deliberate act, a reaching out with dependent trust. The power that flowed was for the one who approached with conscious faith, not for the masses who were simply swept along.
When Jesus said 'power has gone out from me,' what does that mean for us today?
Jesus didn't just have power; He is power in action. When He says 'power has gone out from me' (the Greek word here often translated as 'power' or 'virtue'), He's speaking of the very dynamic, miraculous energy of God at work. This wasn't a passive leakage of energy; it was a responsive outpouring triggered by faith.
This power isn't a finite resource that gets depleted. Instead, it’s a divine emanation available to all who approach Him with genuine faith. The miracle here wasn't just that the woman was healed, but that her act of faith connected her to the living, active power of God residing in Jesus. It demonstrates that Jesus is the conduit through whom God’s saving and healing power flows into the world.
Understand the original words
dynamis · Greek Noun
The Greek word refers to miraculous, divine energy or capacity that manifests the presence and activity of God, often in the context of healing or spiritual liberation.
This event unfolded amidst the immense pressure of Jesus' ministry, highlighting how genuine faith can uniquely draw divine power even when lost in a throng.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and performing numerous miracles, drawing large crowds wherever he went.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Growing Popularity and Crowds
Jesus' fame spread rapidly, leading to constant, often overwhelming crowds pressing in on him from all sides. People eagerly sought his healing touch and teaching.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Jairus Seeks Jesus' Help
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, desperately sought Jesus to heal his dying daughter, showing great faith by falling at Jesus' feet.
Early to mid-1st century AD— this verse
The Woman's Touch of Faith
A woman who had suffered for twelve years with a hemorrhage, having spent all her money on physicians, touched the fringe of Jesus' cloak in the crowded street, believing she would be healed.
Mark also records Jesus' awareness of the power going out of him, emphasizing that it was not the thronging crowd but a specific touch that drew His attention.
Matthew 9:22This parallel account highlights Jesus' direct affirmation to the woman that 'your faith has made you well,' underscoring the connection between faith and receiving divine power.
Luke 6:19This verse describes a similar phenomenon where crowds pressed around Jesus, and 'power came from him and healed them all,' showing that divine power emanated from Him in response to need and faith.
Acts 1:8Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers and being their 'power,' which echoes the concept of divine power going out from Jesus and being accessible through spiritual connection.
1 Corinthians 1:18This passage declares that the message of the cross is 'the power of God,' drawing a parallel between the divine energy Jesus displayed and the spiritual power that is central to the Christian faith.
vincentLuke 8:46: "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
Hath touched (ἥψατο) - I perceive (ἔγνων)Rev. renders the two aorists strictly: did touch, and I perceived, with reference to Jesus' knowledge of the touch at the moment it was applied.Virtue (δύναμιν)Rev., power. The evangelists use the word frequently of miracles - mighty works. It is used here in the sense of virtue, according to its use by naturalists and physicians. Still, too much str…
jfbLuke 8:46: "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
- Somebody hath touched—yes, the multitude "thronged" and pressed Him—"they jostled against Him," but all involuntarily; they were merely carried along; but one, one only—"Somebody Touched" Him, with the conscious, voluntary, dependent touch of faith, reaching forth its hands expressly to have contact with Him. This and this only Jesus acknowledges and seeks out. Even so, as the Church Father…
Jesus doesn't just notice that he was touched, but specifically how he was touched. While the crowd jostled Him, this woman's touch was different – it was a deliberate, faith-filled connection that drew out His power.
As Jesus is returning from the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd presses in on Him, eager to hear Him and witness His miracles. Amidst this throng, a synagogue ruler named Jairus pleads with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. It is during this chaotic but expectant moment that a woman, suffering from a chronic illness, secretly touches Jesus' cloak in faith, believing it will heal her.
As Jesus is returning from the other side of the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd presses in on Him, eager to hear Him and witness His miracles. Amidst this throng, a synagogue ruler named Jairus pleads with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. It is during this chaotic but expectant moment that a woman, suffering from a chronic illness, secretly touches Jesus' cloak in faith, believing it will heal her.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 8:46 is available in the Sola app.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Jesus Senses Power Depart
Jesus immediately felt a transfer of power and asked, 'Who touched me?' distinguishing this intentional, faith-filled touch from the jostling of the crowd.
Early to mid-1st century AD
Woman's Healing and Testimony
The woman, trembling, confessed her action, and Jesus affirmed her healing, stating 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.'
"But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”" — Jesus doesn't just notice that he was touched, but specifically how he was touched. While the crowd jostled Him, this woman's touch was different – it was a deliberate, faith-filled connection th…
