Breakdown of Luke 8:47

"And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed." — Her trembling and falling before Jesus, confessing everything in front of the crowd, wasn't just about shame or fear of retribution. It was her faith driving her to openly declare the miraculous powe…

Luke 8:47 Meaning Explained

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Luke 8:47

And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Her trembling and falling before Jesus, confessing everything in front of the crowd, wasn't just about shame or fear of retribution. It was her faith driving her to openly declare the miraculous power she had experienced and to give Jesus the glory for her healing, overcoming any remaining timidity.

What Luke 8:47 means

As Jesus is pressed in by a crowd, a desperate woman secretly touches his cloak, believing it will heal her twelve-year illness. When Jesus immediately asks who touched him, she, realizing her action is known, comes forward trembling to publicly declare her healing and the reason for her touch. This moment, happening amidst the urgent plea of Jairus for his dying daughter, highlights both the woman's faith and Jesus' power to bring healing even in a chaotic situation.

The Boldness of Desperate Faith

Twelve years of suffering, years of searching for cures, and then, a desperate touch in a crowd. What drove this woman to act when she did?

This woman's story is a powerful picture of faith fueled by deep need.

Years of Suffering

She hadn't just experienced a minor ailment; she had been afflicted for twelve long years. This wasn't a temporary inconvenience but a chronic condition that had likely drained her physically, emotionally, and financially. The text mentions she had 'spent all she had on physicians' (Luke 8:43), highlighting the depth of her desperation and the futility of her previous efforts.

A Leap of Faith

In the midst of a surging crowd pressing in on Jesus, she saw a glimmer of hope. Her faith, though perhaps mixed with fear and a desire for anonymity, compelled her to reach out. She believed that even a simple touch of Jesus' cloak would be enough to heal her. This wasn't a casual act; it was a profound expression of trust in Jesus' power to bring about an immediate and complete cure.

Jesus' Purposeful Revelation

Jesus knew exactly who had touched him. Why then did He stop and ask, 'Who touched me?'

Jesus didn't accidentally discover the woman; He intentionally drew her out of her hiddenness.

Revealing Truth

Her touch was discreet, a secret act in a busy crowd. But Jesus, with His divine awareness, knew. His question, 'Who touched me?' wasn't because He was unsure, but because He wanted her to come forward. He desired for her healing to be not just a private experience but a public testimony.

Encouragement and Validation

When she finally came, trembling, Jesus didn't scold her. Instead, He met her fear with reassurance: 'Take courage, my daughter; your faith has made you well.' He validated her healing and her faith, turning a moment of potential shame into one of public affirmation and encouragement for all present. Her declaration became a witness to Jesus' power and compassion.

Historical context

Written: Likely mid-1st century AD, during the time of Jesus's ministry.
Author: Luke the physician, traditionally understood as a companion of the Apostle Paul.
Location: Written from or concerning the region of Galilee, likely during Jesus's ministry.
Genre: Gospel narrative, characterized by detailed accounts and attention to the experiences of individuals.

Historical background

The woman's desperate act of touching Jesus' cloak, and her subsequent fear and confession, were deeply shaped by the context of Jewish purity laws and the overwhelming crowds that made personal interaction with Jesus a challenge.

Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
During this period, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues and villages, healing the sick, and gathering a large following. This context sets the stage for numerous miracles and interactions with diverse people.
Early 1st century AD
Crowds Following Jesus
Jesus' growing fame attracted large, often surging crowds wherever he went. This created a chaotic environment where it was difficult for individuals to get close to him or for Jesus to easily notice specific people.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Purity Laws
Strict Jewish laws regarding ritual purity, particularly concerning sickness like a persistent hemorrhage, meant the afflicted person was considered unclean and anyone they touched could become unclean. This added a layer of social and religious risk to seeking healing.

Key themes

01Courageous public confession
02Faith overcoming fear
03Jesus' power and compassion
04Divine healing and wholeness

Cross-references

Mark 5:33

This passage describes the woman's fear and trembling after Jesus asks who touched him, highlighting the internal struggle and awe she felt.

Matthew 9:22

Jesus' words, 'Take courage, my daughter; your faith has made you well,' directly affirm the power of faith, mirroring the woman's experience in Luke.

Hebrews 11:1

This verse defines faith as 'the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,' which perfectly encapsulates the woman's bold, unproven action in touching Jesus' cloak.

Romans 10:17

This passage emphasizes that faith comes from hearing the word of God, suggesting that her prior hearing about Jesus likely fueled her belief and the courageous act of touching him.

Scholarly commentary

Luke 8:47: "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately."

And when the woman saw that she was not hid,.... From Christ, among the crowd, nor the thing that she had done. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "that he had not forgot her"; she hoping he would be diverted from taking any notice of her and her action, through the cr…
gill

Luke 8:47: "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately."

Falling downNot in worship, but in terror. See on fell down, Luke 5:8.
vincent

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What Luke 8:47 means

Historical context

Written: Likely mid-1st century AD, during the time of Jesus's ministry.
Author: Luke the physician, traditionally understood as a companion of the Apostle Paul.
Location: Written from or concerning the region of Galilee, likely during Jesus's ministry.
Genre: Gospel narrative, characterized by detailed accounts and attention to the experiences of individuals.

Historical background

Early 1st century AD— this verse

Jesus' Ministry in Galilee

During this period, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues and villages, healing the sick, and gathering a large following. This context sets the stage for numerous miracles and interactions with diverse people.

Early 1st century AD

Crowds Following Jesus

Jesus' growing fame attracted large, often surging crowds wherever he went. This created a chaotic environment where it was difficult for individuals to get close to him or for Jesus to easily notice specific people.

Early 1st century AD

Jewish Purity Laws

Strict Jewish laws regarding ritual purity, particularly concerning sickness like a persistent hemorrhage, meant the afflicted person was considered unclean and anyone they touched could become unclean. This added a layer of social and religious risk to seeking healing.

Scholarly commentary

Luke 8:47: "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately."

And when the woman saw that she was not hid,.... From Christ, among the crowd, nor the thing that she had done. The Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "that he had not forgot her"; she hoping he would be diverted from taking any notice of her and her action, through the cr…
gill

Luke 8:47: "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately."

Falling downNot in worship, but in terror. See on fell down, Luke 5:8.
vincent

Frequently asked questions

What does Luke 8:47 mean?

Explain the meaning of Luke 8:47

What is the context of Luke 8:47?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does the original Greek reveal about Luke 8:47?”
“Why did Luke the physician, traditionally understood as a companion of the Apostle Paul. write Luke 8:47?”
“How does courageous public confession show up in Luke 8:47?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Luke 8:47 is available in the Sola app.

What Luke 8:47 means

The Boldness of Desperate Faith

Jesus' Purposeful Revelation

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

What Luke 8:47 means

The Boldness of Desperate Faith

Jesus' Purposeful Revelation

Historical context

Historical background

Key themes

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Frequently asked questions

Study this verse in Sola

Ask Sola about this verse

Trembling Faith, Unfading Power