Luke 8:46

KJV

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036}, Somebody {G5100} hath touched {G680} me {G3450}: for {G1063} I {G1473} perceive {G1097} that virtue {G1411} is gone {G1831} out of {G575} me {G1700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua said, "Someone did touch me, because I felt power go out of me."

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus declared, “Someone touched Me, for I know that power has gone out from Me.”

American Standard Version

But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:46 records Jesus' profound declaration amidst a pressing crowd, stating, "Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me." This pivotal moment reveals Jesus' divine sensitivity and the active, tangible nature of His miraculous power, which flowed out in response to a specific, faith-filled touch, leading to the instantaneous healing of a woman who had suffered for twelve years.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, specifically following His calming of the storm and the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus is on His way to the home of Jairus, a synagogue official, whose daughter is at the point of death, having been urgently summoned by Jairus himself ([Luke 8:41-42](/luke/8-41-42 "Luke 8:41-42 - Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter")). A large crowd is pressing in on Him as He walks. It is within this bustling, urgent procession that the woman with an issue of blood, desperate for healing, approaches Him from behind and touches the fringe of His garment, believing that this act alone would make her well ([Luke 8:43-44](/luke/8-43-44 "Luke 8:43-44 - The Woman with an Issue of Blood")). Jesus' sudden stop and inquiry in [Luke 8:45](/luke/8-45 "Luke 8:45 - Jesus Asks, 'Who Touched Me?'") sets the stage for the profound statement in [Luke 8:46](/luke/8-46 "Luke 8:46 - Jesus Perceives Power Leaving Him"), which then leads to the woman's confession and Jesus' affirmation of her faith ([Luke 8:47-48](/luke/8-47-48 "Luke 8:47-48 - The Woman Confesses and is Affirmed")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, a woman suffering from a chronic flow of blood (likely menorrhagia or a similar condition) would have been considered ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 15:25-27](/leviticus/15-25-27 "Leviticus 15:25-27 - Laws Concerning Discharges")). This meant she was ostracized from public life, unable to participate in religious worship, and anything or anyone she touched would also become unclean. Her condition not only caused physical suffering but also profound social and spiritual isolation. The fact that she "had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any" ([Luke 8:43](/luke/8-43 "Luke 8:43 - The Woman's Desperation")) underscores the futility of human remedies and her utter desperation. Her approach to Jesus from behind, touching only the hem of His garment, was an act born of both profound faith and the societal constraints imposed by her condition.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **sovereignty and accessibility of Jesus' divine power**, demonstrating that His healing virtue is not merely a passive attribute but an active force that can be drawn upon by faith. Secondly, it underscores the **centrality of faith** as the conduit through which God's power is accessed, a theme consistently emphasized throughout Jesus' ministry, such as in His interactions with the centurion ([Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "Luke 7:1-10 - The Faith of the Centurion")) or the paralytic ([Luke 5:17-26](/luke/5-17-26 "Luke 5:17-26 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic")). Lastly, Jesus' immediate and precise awareness, despite the chaotic crowd, points to His **divine omniscience and intimate knowledge** of individual needs and spiritual transactions, distinguishing His healing from mere coincidence or a random act.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** This word, G680, means "to attach oneself to" or "to touch" in various implied relations. It suggests a deliberate, intentional contact, not a casual brush. In this context, it signifies the woman's purposeful act of faith, reaching out specifically to connect with Jesus' power, rather than being merely jostled by the crowd.
* **perceive (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** G1097, "to know" or "to be aware of." This is a profound word indicating a deep, experiential knowledge or understanding. Jesus didn't just sense a physical contact; He "knew" that a spiritual transaction had occurred, recognizing the specific nature of the touch that drew power from Him. This highlights His divine awareness and insight beyond mere human perception.
* **virtue (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** G1411, meaning "force," "power," or "strength," often specifically referring to "miraculous power" or "a miracle itself." This is the root of English words like "dynamic" and "dynamite." The KJV translation "virtue" can be misleading if understood as moral goodness; here it unequivocally refers to the active, supernatural, healing power of God that resides in and emanates from Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said, 'Somebody hath touched me:"** Despite being surrounded and pressed by a multitude, Jesus immediately discerns a distinct, intentional touch. This highlights His unique sensitivity to the spiritual realm and His awareness of a specific act of faith amidst the general commotion. It wasn't just a physical contact, but a touch that drew something from Him.
* **"for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.'"** This clause explains *why* Jesus knew someone had touched Him in a special way. He "perceived" (ginṓskō) with divine insight that His miraculous power (dynamis) had actively "gone out" (exérchomai) from Him. This indicates that His power is not static but dynamic and transferable, responding to faith, and that He is fully aware of its emanation. It's a statement of divine omniscience coupled with the tangible reality of His healing authority.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account in this verse employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Metonymy**, where "virtue" stands in for "divine power" or "miraculous energy." This choice of word in the KJV (derived from the Greek _dynamis_) emphasizes the active, potent force emanating from Jesus, rather than a passive moral quality. There is also a subtle use of **Contrast** between the general, incidental touching by the crowd and the specific, faith-filled touch of the woman. Jesus' question and statement serve to highlight this distinction, drawing attention to the unique nature of her contact. Furthermore, the scene itself serves as a form of **Dramatic Irony**; the crowd is unaware of the profound spiritual transaction occurring in their midst, while Jesus immediately perceives it, setting Him apart as the divine Son of God with extraordinary awareness and power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:46 is a profound theological statement on the nature of Jesus' divine power and the mechanism by which it is accessed. It reveals that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the very embodiment of God's active, miraculous power. This power is not diminished by being used; rather, it is a dynamic force that responds to faith, demonstrating God's willingness to intervene directly in human suffering. The passage underscores that while many may be physically close to Jesus, it is only those who approach Him with genuine, desperate faith who experience His transformative power.

* [Mark 5:30](/mark/5-30 "Mark 5:30 - Jesus Perceives Power Leaving Him")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus with Power")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:46 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that Jesus' power is not a distant, historical concept, but a present and active reality. Just as the woman's desperate, faith-filled touch drew healing virtue from Him, so too can our earnest prayers and trust connect us to His limitless power for our own needs and for the needs of those around us. This passage calls us to move beyond a casual acquaintance with Christ to a deep, intentional, and faith-driven pursuit of His presence and power. It assures us that Jesus is not oblivious to our struggles, but is intimately aware of our individual needs and the faith we bring, ready to extend His transformative grace. Our access to His power is not dependent on our worthiness, but on the sincerity of our faith, however small.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to intentionally "touch" Jesus with faith to receive His virtue?**
* **How does Jesus' immediate awareness of the woman's touch encourage you about His knowledge of your own hidden struggles and prayers?**
* **What does the concept of "virtue" (divine power) flowing out of Jesus teach you about the nature of God's active presence in the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "virtue" mean in Luke 8:46, and why is it significant?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "virtue" translates the Greek word _dynamis_ (G1411), which means "power," "strength," or "ability," specifically referring to miraculous power. It is the root of English words like "dynamic" and "dynamite." Its significance lies in clarifying that Jesus was not referring to a moral quality but to a tangible, supernatural force that emanated from Him. This `dynamis` was the divine power of God, actively at work through Jesus to bring about healing and transformation. When Jesus says "virtue is gone out of me," He is declaring that a divine, healing energy has been transferred from Him to the woman, resulting in her immediate cure.

**Did Jesus lose some of His power when "virtue" went out of Him?**

Answer: No, Jesus did not lose any of His inherent divine power. While the language "gone out of me" might imply a depletion, it is better understood as a *transfer* or *emanation* of His infinite power, rather than a reduction. Jesus' power, being divine, is limitless and inexhaustible. His awareness that `dynamis` had "gone out" simply signifies that a specific act of His power had occurred in response to faith, not that His overall capacity was diminished. This is similar to how a light source does not lose its light by illuminating something else; it simply extends its light. Jesus' power is always available to those who approach Him with faith, as seen consistently throughout the Gospels, such as when He healed many people with a word or a touch in [Matthew 8:16](/matthew/8-16 "Matthew 8:16 - Jesus Heals Many").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:46 profoundly reveals Jesus as the ultimate source of divine power and life, making clear that His healing virtue is not merely a human ability but an emanation of God Himself. This moment foreshadows the greater `dynamis` that would be unleashed through His death and resurrection, conquering sin and death itself ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God with Power")). The power that flowed from Jesus in this instance is the same power that raised Him from the dead ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - The Exceeding Greatness of His Power")) and is now available to believers through the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")). The woman's desperate touch, drawing life from Jesus, prefigures how all humanity, spiritually diseased by sin, must reach out in faith to the crucified and risen Christ to receive true and lasting healing, finding reconciliation and new life in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the Lamb of God, whose very being is the source of all virtue and salvation, accessible by faith to all who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 6:19

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.

Luke 5:17

¶ And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: