And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus's question isn't about ignorance; it's about drawing out faith. He "perceived in himself that power had gone out" and then deliberately turns to ask, making the woman's hidden act of faith visible to all, which then solidifies her healing.
And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is moving through a pressing crowd on his way to heal Jairus's daughter when a woman secretly touches his garment, instantly receiving healing. Jesus immediately senses that power has gone out from him, prompting him to stop and ask who touched him, despite the throng pressing in on all sides.
When this woman desperately reached out to touch Jesus, something extraordinary happened. It wasn't just the woman's faith; Jesus felt it too, deep within himself.
An Unseen Ebb and Flow
Scripture tells us Jesus "perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him." This wasn't a passive leakage; it was an active, conscious movement of divine energy. Think of it like a spiritual "magnetic power" (as one commentator noted) that responded to her faith.
Jesus asked, "Who touched my garments?" The disciples thought it was a strange question given the massive crowd. But Jesus wasn't lost; he was orchestrating a moment.
More Than Just a Query
Jesus' question wasn't because he didn't know who touched him. He possessed divine knowledge (Gill). Instead, his question served crucial purposes:
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Understand the original words
dynamis · Greek Noun
The divine ability, strength, or efficacy inherent in God. It is the active, transforming influence of God’s nature manifested in the world, often delegated through the person of Jesus.
The context of Jesus being thronged by a massive, pressing crowd highlights the extraordinary nature of the woman's timid, stealthy touch. It also underscores the divine power within Jesus, which, though emanating constantly, responds consciously and intentionally to faith.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' public ministry begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This is the general period and geographical location for the events described.
Early 1st century AD
Growing crowds follow Jesus
As Jesus' fame spreads, large crowds frequently follow him, creating bustling and sometimes chaotic environments.
Early 1st century AD
Jairus seeks Jesus' help
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, desperately pleads with Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Woman with hemorrhage seeks healing
A woman, suffering from a chronic hemorrhage for twelve years and having spent all her money on doctors, secretly approaches Jesus in the crowd.
Early 1st century AD
Jairus' daughter dies
Messengers arrive while Jesus is with Jairus, reporting that his daughter has died.
This passage describes Jesus' disciples questioning Him about who touched Him, mirroring the disciples' confusion in Mark 5:31, who couldn't understand how Jesus could discern a single touch in a jostling crowd.
Matthew 9:20-22This parallel account highlights the woman's perspective and faith, showing that her touch was an act of desperate belief, and Jesus' question was to draw out her public testimony and commend her faith.
John 4:14Jesus speaks of His divine power as something that can be 'in' a person, like a spring of water welling up to eternal life, which resonates with the idea of inherent, life-giving power flowing from Jesus in Mark 5:30.
Acts 19:11-12This passage describes handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul being used to heal the sick, suggesting a similar principle of divine power being transferable through physical contact, though in Acts it's through Paul, and in Mark, directly from Jesus.
pooleMark 5:30: "And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"
See Poole on "Mark 5:30"
bengelMark 5:30: "And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"
Mark 5:30 . Ἐπιγνοὺς , perceiving ) Faith even acts.— ἐξελθοῦσαν , had gone out ) A magnetic power.
Jesus's question isn't about ignorance; it's about drawing out faith. He "perceived in himself that power had gone out" and then deliberately turns to ask, making the woman's hidden act of faith visible to all, which then solidifies her healing.
Jesus is moving through a pressing crowd on his way to heal Jairus's daughter when a woman secretly touches his garment, instantly receiving healing. Jesus immediately senses that power has gone out from him, prompting him to stop and ask who touched him, despite the throng pressing in on all sides.
Jesus is moving through a pressing crowd on his way to heal Jairus's daughter when a woman secretly touches his garment, instantly receiving healing. Jesus immediately senses that power has gone out from him, prompting him to stop and ask who touched him, despite the throng pressing in on all sides.
"And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”" — Jesus's question isn't about ignorance; it's about drawing out faith. He "perceived in himself that power had gone out" and then deliberately turns to ask, making the woman's hidden act of faith visi…
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Last reviewed October 2026