Luke 8:45

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036}, Who {G5101} touched {G680} me {G3450}? When {G1161} all {G3956} denied {G720}, Peter {G4074} and {G2532} they that were with {G3326} him {G846} said {G2036}, Master {G1988}, the multitude {G3793} throng {G4912} thee {G4571} and {G2532} press {G598} thee, and {G2532} sayest {G3004} thou, Who {G5101} touched {G680} me {G3450}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua asked, "Who touched me?" When they all denied doing it, Kefa said, "Rabbi! The crowds are hemming you in and jostling you!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. But they all denied it. “Master,” said Peter, “the people are crowding and pressing against You.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:45 captures a profound moment where Jesus' divine perception transcends mere physical proximity, revealing the transformative power of faith. Amidst a pressing crowd, Jesus discerns a specific, intentional touch that drew power from Him, prompting His inquiry "Who touched me?" This question, initially perplexing to Peter and the disciples who observed the chaotic throng, serves not as an information-gathering query but as an invitation for the healed woman to step forward, publicly affirm her faith, and receive the full blessing of her deliverance. The passage powerfully differentiates between casual contact and a faith-filled connection with the Savior.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader narrative of Jesus' ministry, specifically occurring within the account of the healing of the woman with a twelve-year issue of blood, immediately followed by the raising of Jairus's daughter. Jesus is on His way to Jairus's house, a synagogue official pleading for his dying daughter, when this interruption occurs. The woman's desperate act of faith (touching Jesus' garment) and subsequent healing are recounted in [Luke 8:43-44](/luke/8-43-44 "Luke 8:43-44 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood"). Jesus' question in [Luke 8:45](/luke/8-45 "Luke 8:45 - Jesus Asks Who Touched Him") leads to the woman's confession and Jesus' affirmation in [Luke 8:46-48](/luke/8-46-48 "Luke 8:46-48 - Jesus Heals the Woman"). This seemingly tangential event highlights Jesus' compassion and power, even amidst urgent circumstances, and serves as a powerful demonstration of faith before the climactic raising of Jairus's daughter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Jesus' time, large crowds often followed popular teachers and healers, especially in public spaces. The concept of ritual impurity was significant in Jewish law, and a woman suffering from a chronic issue of blood (likely menorrhagia) would have been considered perpetually unclean according to [Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Leviticus 15:25-27 - Laws Concerning Discharges"). This condition would have severely limited her social interaction, isolating her from community life and rendering her an outcast. Her act of touching Jesus, a respected rabbi, was an act of both desperate faith and social transgression, risking further ostracization if discovered. The public nature of Jesus' ministry meant He was constantly surrounded by people, making Peter's observation about the "multitude throng" entirely accurate for the period.
* **Key Themes:** The passage contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. The primary theme is the **power of faith**, contrasting the woman's deliberate, faith-driven touch with the incidental contact of the crowd. This highlights that true spiritual connection requires more than physical proximity; it demands active belief. Another key theme is **Jesus' divine awareness and compassion**. Despite the chaos, Jesus perceives the specific outflow of power and intentionally seeks out the individual, demonstrating His intimate knowledge and care for each person, even in a vast throng. Furthermore, the disciples' limited understanding, as evidenced by Peter's response, underscores the theme of **discipleship and spiritual discernment**, showing their ongoing need to grow beyond a purely physical perception of Jesus' ministry, a theme explored throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke "The Gospel of Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This verb (G2036) is a primary verb, often used for definite past tense statements, indicating a direct utterance. In this context, Jesus' question is a deliberate, spoken inquiry, not a casual remark. It emphasizes the intentionality of His words, setting the stage for a significant revelation rather than merely seeking information.
* **touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** This reflexive verb (G680) means "to attach oneself to" or "to cling to," implying a deliberate and purposeful contact rather than an accidental brush. This nuance is crucial, as it distinguishes the woman's faith-filled act from the incidental jostling of the crowd, highlighting a touch that engaged Jesus' divine power.
* **Master (Greek, _epistátēs'_):** Peter's address (G1988) to Jesus as "Master" signifies respect and acknowledges Jesus' authority as a teacher or commander. However, the disciples' subsequent comments reveal a limited understanding of the spiritual dimension of Jesus' power, demonstrating their struggle to grasp the full implications of His divine nature beyond His role as a respected leader.
#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said, 'Who touched me?'":** This opening clause immediately establishes Jesus' divine awareness. He is not asking for information He lacks, but rather initiating a moment of revelation. The question is posed to the crowd, inviting the one who received healing to come forward, thereby making her faith and God's power public.
* **"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?":** This second clause highlights the disciples' natural, human perspective. Unaware of the spiritual transaction, they perceive only the physical reality of the overwhelming crowd. Peter's response, using the respectful address "Master," expresses their bewilderment at Jesus' question, given the intense physical pressure from the throng, underscoring their limited comprehension of the spiritual dimension of Jesus' power and purpose.
#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices to enrich this narrative. **Rhetorical Question** is evident in Jesus' inquiry, "Who touched me?" He already knows, but the question serves to draw out the woman and make her healing public, emphasizing the significance of her faith. **Contrast** is powerfully used between Jesus' divine perception and the disciples' earthly understanding. While the crowd merely "throng[s] thee and press[es] thee," Jesus distinguishes a specific, intentional "touch." This highlights the difference between superficial contact and a faith-filled connection. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader (and Jesus) knows the significance of the touch, while Peter and the disciples remain oblivious, focused only on the physical chaos.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:45 profoundly illustrates the active nature of faith and the discerning power of Christ. It teaches that while many may be physically near to Jesus, only those who reach out in intentional faith experience His transformative power. This passage serves as a powerful theological statement about the accessibility of God's grace through faith, regardless of social status or physical condition. It underscores that God sees and responds to individual acts of belief, even amidst the clamor of the world, making a clear distinction between passive presence and active, saving faith.

* [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")
* [Matthew 9:20-22](/matthew/9-20-22 "Matthew 9:20-22 - The Woman Healed by Faith")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith is Essential to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage challenges us to examine the nature of our own relationship with Christ. Are we merely part of the "multitude" that throngs Him, or do we seek a personal, faith-filled connection that draws out His power? It's easy to be present in religious settings, to be surrounded by Christian community, or even to engage in spiritual activities, yet miss the deeper, transformative encounter with Jesus. The woman's desperate, intentional touch reminds us that genuine faith is not passive; it is an active reaching out, a confident expectation that Jesus has the power to meet our deepest needs. Our spiritual vitality depends not on our proximity to Christ, but on the quality of our connection—a connection forged in humble, persistent faith. This verse calls us to move beyond superficial engagement to a profound, personal encounter with the living Christ, trusting that even the smallest act of faith is noticed and honored by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "thronging" or "pressing" Jesus without truly "touching" Him in faith?**
* **What specific "issue" in my life am I called to bring to Jesus with desperate, intentional faith?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to believe that Jesus sees and responds to my individual needs, even amidst the "crowd" of my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus ask "Who touched me?" if He already knew?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not born out of ignorance but out of intention and divine purpose. He knew exactly what had happened, as power had "gone out from him" ([Luke 8:46](/luke/8-46 "Luke 8:46 - Power Went Out From Him")). His inquiry served several crucial purposes. First, it brought the woman out of anonymity, allowing her to publicly confess her healing and her faith. This public testimony was important for her own spiritual growth and for the benefit of those witnessing the event, including the disciples and the crowd. Second, it provided an opportunity for Jesus to affirm her faith, stating, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" ([Luke 8:48](/luke/8-48 "Luke 8:48 - Your Faith Has Made You Well")). This public declaration solidified her healing, not just physically but spiritually and socially, confirming her restoration and peace. It also served as a teaching moment for the disciples, highlighting the true nature of faith versus mere physical contact.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:45, while seemingly a simple question, powerfully foreshadows the profound and personal nature of salvation in Christ. Jesus' divine awareness, perceiving a specific touch amidst a chaotic crowd, points to His omniscience and His intimate knowledge of every individual's heart and need. He is not merely a historical figure or a distant deity, but the Great Physician who discerns genuine faith from superficial proximity. Just as the woman's touch drew healing power, so too does faith in Christ draw forth the power of His atoning work on the cross. His willingness to pause and acknowledge this individual act of faith, even while on an urgent mission to Jairus's house, speaks volumes about His compassion and His mission to seek and save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")). The healing power that went out from Him is a tangible demonstration of His authority over sickness and sin, ultimately fulfilled in His sacrifice, by which "by his wounds you have been healed" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). This passage invites us to move beyond merely being in the "crowd" of humanity to a personal, faith-filled encounter with the One who knows us fully and offers complete restoration through His grace ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:5

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Luke 9:13

But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

Mark 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 5:32

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.