Luke 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?
Luke 8:45 (KJV)
Context
Luke 8:45 sits within a larger account of two miracles: the healing of a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years and the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:40-56). In the preceding verse, the woman touches the fringe of Jesus’s garment and is instantly healed (Luke 8:44). Jesus then asks, “Who touched me?”—a question that seems odd because the crowd is pressing around Him.
Meaning
Jesus’s question is not born of ignorance. He knows that power has gone out from Him, as the parallel account in Mark 5:30 confirms. He asks to draw the woman out, to make her faith and healing known publicly. The disciples, led by Peter, respond with natural human reasoning: the multitude is thronging and pressing, so many are touching Jesus. Their reply highlights the contrast between ordinary physical contact and the intentional, faith-filled touch of the woman.
Biblical connections
The Greek text records Jesus’s question as “Who is the one having touched me?” emphasizing a specific person. The woman’s touch was deliberate—an act of faith reaching out to Jesus for healing. This event demonstrates that Jesus is aware of individual faith even within a large crowd, and He responds to those who reach out to Him in belief.
Application
Faith’s power: The woman’s faith in Jesus’s healing ability activated the power of God in her life. Her example teaches that genuine faith in Jesus can bring about miracles, even when circumstances seem hopeless.
Personal touch: Jesus desires a personal connection with each individual. He is not a distant figure lost in the crowd; He knows our needs and responds when we reach out to Him in faith.
Acknowledging God’s work: Jesus brought attention to the woman’s touch of faith, even though the disciples were unaware. This reminds us to acknowledge and appreciate God’s work in our lives, even when others do not recognize it.
Reflection
Jesus’s question invites us to examine our own touch. Do we merely press around Him with the crowd, or do we reach out with intentional faith? He sees the difference and responds to those who come to Him believing.
