Mark 5:31

KJV

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Thou seest {G991} the multitude {G3793} thronging {G4918} thee {G4571}, and {G2532} sayest thou {G3004}, Who {G5101} touched {G680} me {G3450}?

Complete Jewish Bible

His talmidim responded, "You see the people pressing in on you; and still you ask, `Who touched me?'"

Berean Standard Bible

His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’”

American Standard Version

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:31 captures a moment of profound irony and spiritual insight, as Jesus' disciples, observing the overwhelming crowd pressing in on Him, question His seemingly obvious inquiry, "Who touched me?" This verse highlights the stark contrast between human perception, focused on the physical chaos of the multitude, and Jesus' divine awareness, which discerns a singular, faith-filled touch that drew out His healing power. It sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the woman who was healed, emphasizing the unique nature of faith that transcends mere physical proximity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jesus' ministry in Mark's Gospel, immediately following the miraculous healing of the woman with the issue of blood. Prior to this, Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus's daughter ([Mark 5:21-24](/mark/5-21-24 "Jesus Goes to Jairus's House")). The woman, suffering for twelve years, approaches Jesus from behind in the crowd, touching His garment with faith, believing she would be healed ([Mark 5:25-29](/mark/5-25-29 "The Woman with the Issue of Blood")). Jesus, perceiving that "power had gone out of him" ([Mark 5:30](/mark/5-30 "Jesus Perceives Power Leaving Him")), turns to ask, "Who touched my clothes?" The disciples' bewildered response in [Mark 5:31](/mark/5-31 "Mark 5:31 - Disciples' Response to Jesus' Question") underscores the overwhelming physical reality of the crowd, making Jesus' question seem absurd from their limited perspective. The subsequent verses reveal Jesus' interaction with the woman, affirming her faith and healing ([Mark 5:32-34](/mark/5-32-34 "Jesus Heals the Woman by Faith")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Galilee and Judea were bustling regions, and Jesus' growing fame meant He was often surrounded by large crowds. People would travel long distances to hear His teaching and witness His miracles, creating dense, often chaotic gatherings. Public spaces, narrow streets, and open areas would become packed, making personal space virtually nonexistent. In such an environment, being "thronged" or "pressed" was a common experience. The disciples' reaction is entirely understandable given these physical realities. Furthermore, the cultural norms regarding ritual purity, especially concerning a woman with a chronic flow of blood, would have meant she was considered unclean and would have actively avoided public contact. Her desperate act of touching Jesus' garment from behind highlights her immense faith and courage in defying societal and religious strictures for healing.
* **Key Themes:** [Mark 5:31](/mark/5-31 "Mark 5:31 - Disciples' Question") contributes to several significant themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it starkly contrasts **Divine Perception vs. Human Perception**. The disciples, operating solely on a physical plane, cannot comprehend Jesus' spiritual awareness that transcends the mere jostling of a crowd. Secondly, it illuminates the **Nature of Faith**, demonstrating that not all physical contact with Jesus is equal; only a touch imbued with genuine faith elicits His power. This sets the stage for Jesus' later affirmation, "Daughter, your faith has made you well" ([Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Jesus Affirms the Woman's Faith")). Lastly, the passage underscores **Jesus' Unique Awareness and Authority**, revealing His supernatural insight into individual needs and spiritual transactions, even amidst the chaos of a multitude. This theme is consistent with other instances where Jesus demonstrates His divine knowledge, such as His awareness of Nathanael under the fig tree in [John 1:48](/john/1-48 "Jesus' Knowledge of Nathanael").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to learn," a disciple is fundamentally a learner or pupil. In this context, it refers to Jesus' closest followers, who, despite their proximity to Him and their ongoing instruction, still struggle to grasp the spiritual depth of His actions and perceptions. Their question reveals their limited understanding, highlighting that even those closest to Jesus needed further revelation.
* **Multitude (Greek, _óchlos'_):** This term describes a throng or a crowd, often implying a large, undifferentiated mass of people. It can also carry connotations of a "rabble" or a "press." In [Mark 5:31](/mark/5-31 "Mark 5:31 - The Multitude"), it emphasizes the sheer density and overwhelming nature of the people surrounding Jesus, making the disciples' bewilderment at His question entirely logical from a human standpoint.
* **Thronging (Greek, _synthlíbō'_):** This word is a compound of "with" (syn) and "to press" (thlibō), literally meaning "to compress" or "to crowd on all sides." It vividly portrays the intense physical pressure and close proximity of the crowd, suggesting that Jesus was not merely surrounded but was being actively pressed and jostled from all directions, reinforcing the disciples' incredulity at His question about a specific touch.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his disciples said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the speakers, Jesus' closest followers, who are positioned as observers and interpreters (albeit limited ones) of the unfolding events. Their collective voice expresses a shared bewilderment.
* **"Thou seest the multitude thronging thee,"**: This is the core of the disciples' human-centric observation. They point to the obvious physical reality: Jesus is visibly surrounded and pressed upon by a large, undifferentiated crowd. Their statement is a rhetorical question, implying "How can you ask 'who touched me' when so many are touching you?" It reflects their inability to perceive beyond the physical surface.
* **"and sayest thou, Who touched me?"**: This second part of their rhetorical question directly challenges Jesus' inquiry. It underscores the disciples' incredulity and highlights the fundamental disconnect between their physical understanding and Jesus' spiritual discernment. For them, a specific touch within such a chaotic environment would be impossible to identify.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. The primary device is **Irony**, specifically dramatic irony, where the audience (and Jesus) understands something the characters (the disciples) do not. The disciples' question is ironic because they state the obvious physical reality ("multitude thronging thee") while missing the profound spiritual reality of a faith-filled touch. This creates a sharp **Contrast** between human (disciples') and divine (Jesus') perception, emphasizing that Jesus' awareness operates on a different, supernatural plane. The disciples' statement itself functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to express their astonishment and disbelief at Jesus' seemingly absurd inquiry, thereby highlighting their limited understanding of His unique capabilities and the nature of spiritual interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the qualitative difference between casual physical contact and a faith-filled spiritual connection. While countless individuals pressed against Jesus, only one touch registered with Him, not because of its physical force, but because of the faith behind it. This highlights a crucial theological truth: God is not merely aware of the general "crowd" of humanity, but He intimately discerns the individual heart and responds to genuine faith. It teaches us that true engagement with the divine transcends superficial proximity or outward religious observance, demanding an intentional, believing approach. This distinction is vital for understanding how God interacts with humanity, emphasizing that His power is not indiscriminately dispensed but is often activated by a personal, trusting response.

* [Mark 5:34](/mark/5-34 "Mark 5:34 - Faith Makes You Well")
* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:31 serves as a timeless reminder that our perception of reality often falls short of God's. We, like the disciples, can be so overwhelmed by the sheer "multitude" of life's demands, distractions, and difficulties that we miss the subtle, yet profound, spiritual movements around us. This verse challenges us to cultivate a deeper spiritual sensitivity, moving beyond a superficial engagement with our faith to seek a genuine, intentional "touch" of Christ. It prompts us to ask ourselves if our interactions with God are merely casual, like being jostled in a crowd, or if they are marked by a faith that actively seeks and connects with His transformative power. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, this passage offers immense comfort: Jesus sees beyond the noise and the numbers; He perceives and responds to the individual heart of faith. Our challenge is to ensure our faith is not just a passive presence in the crowd, but an active, reaching, and believing touch.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "thronged" or overwhelmed, making it difficult to discern God's specific work?**
* **How might your "touch" of faith be more intentional and less like a casual jostling in the crowd?**
* **What does this passage teach you about Jesus' awareness of your individual needs and faith, even amidst the "multitudes" of your own life?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper spiritual perception to see beyond the obvious and discern God's subtle movements?**

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

Answer: Jesus' question was not born of ignorance but served a multi-faceted purpose. Firstly, it created an opportunity for the woman to step forward publicly, allowing her healing to be fully affirmed and her faith to be celebrated. This public acknowledgment was crucial for her, transforming a secret, potentially shameful healing into a testimony of God's power. Secondly, it served as a teaching moment for the disciples and the crowd, demonstrating that not all contact with Jesus was the same. While many were physically "thronging" Him, only one touch was imbued with the kind of faith that drew out His divine power. This distinction between casual contact and faith-filled connection was a vital lesson for all present, highlighting the qualitative difference in how one approaches the Savior. Jesus, as the Son of God, possessed perfect knowledge, knowing "what was in man" ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus' Knowledge of Humanity")), and thus He knew precisely who had touched Him and why.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:31, with its profound contrast between the disciples' human perception and Jesus' divine awareness, points directly to the unique nature of Christ as the Son of God. He is not merely a prophet or a healer, but the one who possesses inherent knowledge and power, discerning beyond the superficial. His question, "Who touched me?" is not a sign of ignorance but an intentional act of revelation, drawing out the woman's faith and publicly validating her healing. This foreshadows His ultimate role as the discerning Savior, who knows the hearts of all humanity ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knows All People")). The power that went out from Him, healing the woman, is a tangible manifestation of the divine life inherent in Him, a power that ultimately culminates in His atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He touches humanity's deepest need for salvation. Just as He discerned the one touch of faith in the crowd, He continues to discern and respond to every heart that reaches out to Him in genuine faith, offering not just physical healing but spiritual restoration and eternal life, fulfilling the promise that all who "touch" Him by faith will be made whole ([Matthew 9:21-22](/matthew/9-21-22 "Matthew 9:21-22 - The Woman's 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 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 9:12

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.