Mark 3:10

KJV

For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} he had healed {G2323} many {G4183}; insomuch that {G5620} they pressed upon {G1968} him {G846} for to {G2443} touch {G680} him {G846}, as many as {G3745} had {G2192} plagues {G3148}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for he had healed many people, and all the sick kept pressing forward to touch him.

Berean Standard Bible

For He had healed so many that all who had diseases were pressing forward to touch Him.

American Standard Version

for he had healed many; insomuch that as many as had plagues pressed upon him that they might touch him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:10 vividly portrays the overwhelming demand for Jesus' healing ministry during His early Galilean public service. So extensive was His power to restore health that throngs of people, particularly those suffering from severe diseases, pressed in on Him with desperate urgency, seeking merely to touch Him in the belief that such contact would bring about their cure. This verse underscores both the widespread recognition of Jesus' miraculous abilities and the profound human need that drew multitudes to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 3:10 is situated early in Jesus' public ministry, immediately following a series of conflicts with the religious authorities. In [Mark 2:1-12](/mark/2-1-12 "Mark 2:1-12 - Healing of the Paralytic") and [Mark 2:13-28](/mark/2-13-28 "Mark 2:13-28 - Controversies with Pharisees"), Jesus has already demonstrated His authority to forgive sins, associate with tax collectors, and reinterpret Sabbath laws, provoking growing opposition from the Pharisees and Herodians. Chapter 3 opens with Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, further intensifying their desire to destroy Him ([Mark 3:1-6](/mark/3-1-6 "Mark 3:1-6 - Healing on the Sabbath")). Against this backdrop of escalating tension, verses [Mark 3:7-12](/mark/3-7-12 "Mark 3:7-12 - Jesus withdraws and heals many") describe Jesus' withdrawal to the sea with His disciples, followed by the gathering of immense crowds from all over Galilee, Judea, Idumea, Transjordan, and Tyre and Sidon. Verse 10 specifically explains *why* the crowds were so pressing: His reputation as a healer was immense, and people were desperate for His touch. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent selection of the twelve apostles ([Mark 3:13-19](/mark/3-13-19 "Mark 3:13-19 - The Appointment of the Twelve")), indicating a shift towards more structured ministry in response to the burgeoning crowds and opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Palestine was a world largely devoid of modern medical understanding or widespread effective treatments for chronic or severe diseases. Afflictions like leprosy, paralysis, blindness, and various "plagues" (often debilitating skin conditions, chronic illnesses, or epidemics) were not only physically agonizing but frequently carried significant social stigma, leading to isolation and economic hardship. Many believed that illness was a direct result of sin, further marginalizing the afflicted. Religious purity laws often mandated separation from those with certain conditions, making physical contact with the sick taboo for many religious leaders. In this context, Jesus' willingness to touch and heal the sick was revolutionary, challenging prevailing social norms and demonstrating a radical compassion. The crowds' desperate "pressing upon him" reflects the profound hope and lack of alternatives available to them, viewing Jesus as their last and only resort for relief.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Divine Authority and Power**, particularly over sickness and disease. His ability to heal "many" and the sheer volume of those seeking His touch underscore His unique, supernatural capabilities, distinguishing Him from any other teacher or healer of the time. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Human Desperation and Response to Jesus**. The crowds' intense eagerness to "press upon him for to touch him" reveals their profound need and a nascent, though perhaps not fully articulated, faith in His power. Their actions demonstrate a belief that even a physical connection to Him held transformative power, echoing later accounts like the woman with the hemorrhage in [Mark 5:25-34](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with the Hemorrhage"). Lastly, the verse implicitly showcases **Jesus' Radical Compassion and Accessibility**. Despite the overwhelming demand and the potential for ritual impurity by touching those with "plagues," Jesus remained accessible, demonstrating His profound care for the marginalized and suffering, a stark contrast to the exclusionary practices of some religious leaders of the day. This compassion is a hallmark of His ministry throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "The Gospel of Mark").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **healed (Greek, _therapeúō'_):** This verb, G2323, means "to wait upon menially" or, specifically, "to relieve (of disease)." It emphasizes the attentive care and service Jesus provided in His acts of healing. It's not merely a magical cure, but an act of compassionate ministration that restores health. The perfect tense ("had healed") indicates a completed action with ongoing results, signifying that His healing ministry was already well-established and widely known.
* **pressed upon (Greek, _epipíptō'_):** G1968, meaning "to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively); to fall into (on, upon), lie on, press upon." This word conveys a forceful, almost overwhelming physical closeness. It suggests a crowd so dense and eager that they were literally falling onto Him or crushing Him, driven by their desperate need. It highlights the intensity of their pursuit and the sheer volume of people.
* **plagues (Greek, _mástix'_):** G3148, derived from a word meaning "whip" or "scourge." In a medical context, it refers to severe, often chronic, and debilitating diseases or afflictions. The term emphasizes the intense suffering and the "scourging" effect these illnesses had on the individuals. It underscores the gravity of the conditions from which people sought relief, making Jesus' healing power all the more remarkable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he had healed many;"**: This opening clause provides the reason for the subsequent action. Jesus' reputation as a healer was already firmly established. The perfect tense "had healed" (τεθεραπεύκει) indicates that His healing ministry was not a new phenomenon but an ongoing, extensive work that had already touched numerous lives. This widespread healing was the primary catalyst for the crowds' intense pursuit.
* **"insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him,"**: This describes the direct consequence of Jesus' healing power. The Greek conjunction "hṓste" (G5620, "insomuch that") introduces a result clause, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the crowd's response. The verb "pressed upon" (epipíptō) vividly depicts the physical intensity and urgency of the people. Their goal was "to touch him" (háptomai), reflecting a profound belief that even mere physical contact with Jesus' person possessed the power to heal. This was not a casual interaction but a desperate, almost forceful, seeking of His power.
* **"as many as had plagues."**: This final clause specifies the particular group of people who were most urgently pressing upon Jesus. The phrase "as many as" (hósos) highlights the comprehensive nature of their suffering. "Plagues" (mástix) refers to severe, chronic, or debilitating diseases, emphasizing the deep and often long-standing suffering these individuals endured. This detail underscores the profound need for healing and Jesus' particular compassion for those most afflicted.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:10 employs several literary devices to convey the intense scene. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in phrases like "healed many" and "pressed upon him," suggesting an almost immeasurable number of people and an overwhelming physical force. While not literal exaggeration, it conveys the vast scale of Jesus' ministry and the crowd's desperation. **Synecdoche** is present in "for to touch him," where the part (touch) represents the whole (Jesus' healing power and presence). The people believed that a physical connection to Jesus was sufficient to access His curative abilities. Furthermore, the description evokes strong **Pathos**, appealing to the reader's emotions by depicting the suffering of those with "plagues" and their desperate, urgent pursuit of healing. This creates a vivid and empathetic picture of human need meeting divine compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 3:10 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of Jesus' ministry and person. It demonstrates His unique divine authority over sickness and suffering, presenting Him not merely as a prophet or teacher, but as one endowed with unparalleled power to restore. The crowds' desperate pursuit and belief in the efficacy of His touch highlight a fundamental human yearning for wholeness and the inherent recognition of divine power when it manifests. This verse also subtly contrasts Jesus' accessibility and compassion with the often-rigid purity laws and social barriers of the day, showcasing His willingness to engage directly with the marginalized and afflicted. The sheer volume of people seeking healing underscores the widespread impact of His ministry and the undeniable signs of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world through His actions.

* [Matthew 14:36](/matthew/14-36 "Matthew 14:36 - Healing by Touching the Hem of His Garment")
* [Luke 6:19](/luke/6-19 "Luke 6:19 - Power coming from Jesus to heal")
* [Acts 5:15](/acts/5-15 "Acts 5:15 - Healing through Peter's shadow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:10 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, inviting us to reflect on our own approach to Christ and His power. Just as the crowds, burdened by "plagues" and desperate for relief, pressed in on Jesus, we too are called to bring our deepest needs, our spiritual, emotional, and physical "plagues," to Him with earnestness and expectation. The verse reminds us that Jesus is not distant or unapproachable; rather, He is profoundly accessible and compassionate, willing to be "touched" by our infirmities. Our faith, like that of the crowds, may begin with a desperate longing for relief, but it should grow into a deep trust in His character and power. This passage encourages a persistent, active pursuit of Christ, confident that His grace is sufficient for all our needs. We are challenged to examine where we might be holding back our suffering from Him and to instead press into His presence, believing in His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plagues" or burdens are you currently carrying that you need to bring to Jesus?**
* **In what ways do you "press upon" Jesus in your spiritual life, seeking His touch and healing?**
* **How does Jesus' willingness to engage with the suffering in this passage inform your understanding of His compassion for you?**
* **What does the desperation of the crowds teach us about the urgency of seeking Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why were the crowds so eager to merely "touch" Jesus?**

Answer: The crowds were eager to touch Jesus because they believed His divine power was so potent that even physical contact with Him could bring about healing. This belief was rooted in a combination of observation (seeing His many miracles), desperation (their own severe suffering and lack of medical alternatives), and perhaps a nascent understanding of His unique spiritual authority. This concept of power emanating from a person through touch was not entirely foreign in ancient cultures, but Jesus' consistent and undeniable results elevated it to an unprecedented level. The woman with the hemorrhage, for example, also sought healing by touching the [hem of His garment](/mark/5-25-34 "Mark 5:25-34 - The Woman with the Hemorrhage"), demonstrating this widespread belief.

**What does "plagues" mean in this context, and why is it significant?**

Answer: In Mark 3:10, "plagues" (Greek: _mástix_) refers to severe, often chronic, and debilitating diseases or afflictions. While it can literally mean a "scourge" or "whip," in a medical context, it signifies intense suffering and severe illness, as if the person were being "scourged" by their condition. Its significance lies in highlighting the gravity of the people's suffering and the profound impact these illnesses had on their lives. It emphasizes that Jesus was not just healing minor ailments but deeply entrenched and painful conditions, further underscoring the extraordinary nature of His healing power and His compassion for the most severely afflicted.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 3:10, with its depiction of crowds pressing upon Jesus for healing from their "plagues," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not merely in physical restoration, but in Jesus' redemptive work on the cross. The very word "plagues" (Greek: _mástix_) carries the connotation of a "scourge" or "lash," powerfully foreshadowing the physical scourging Jesus Himself endured before His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:26](/matthew/27-26 "Matthew 27:26 - Jesus is scourged")). He, the sinless one, became the ultimate recipient of the "plagues" of humanity – sin, sickness, and death – so that we might be healed. Isaiah's prophecy, "by his stripes we are healed" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His stripes we are healed")), finds its complete realization in Christ's atoning sacrifice, where He bore our spiritual and physical infirmities. The desperate "touch" of the crowds for physical healing points to the spiritual "touch" of faith by which we connect with Christ's finished work on Calvary, receiving not just temporary relief but eternal life and spiritual wholeness. He is the Great Physician who heals the deepest "plague" of the human heart – sin – offering reconciliation with God and the promise of ultimate restoration in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No more death, sorrow, crying, or pain")).

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

Matthew 14:36

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Mark 6:56

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Matthew 4:23

¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Acts 19:11

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

Acts 19:12

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Luke 7:2

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

Acts 5:15

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.