Mark 5:32

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he looked round about {G4017} to see {G1492} her that had done {G4160} this thing {G5124}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he kept looking around to see who had done it.

Berean Standard Bible

But He kept looking around to see who had done this.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 5:32 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of the woman with the issue of blood, revealing Jesus' divine awareness and intentionality. Having perceived that healing power had emanated from Him, Jesus pauses amidst the pressing crowd, actively searching for the individual who had furtively touched Him and received miraculous restoration, setting the stage for a profound personal encounter rather than a mere anonymous transaction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 5:32 is nestled within the dramatic account of Jesus' healing of the woman with a chronic hemorrhage, immediately following her desperate, faith-filled touch of His garment (Mark 5:27) and Jesus' immediate perception that "power had gone out of him" (Mark 5:30). This verse precedes the woman's fearful confession and Jesus' compassionate affirmation of her faith and healing (Mark 5:33-34). The entire episode is itself an interlude within the larger narrative of Jesus' journey to heal Jairus's daughter, highlighting Jesus' responsiveness to individual need even amidst pressing demands and large crowds. The delay caused by this interaction builds suspense, emphasizing Jesus' deliberate engagement with the woman over the urgency of Jairus's plea.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The woman's condition, a continuous flow of blood for twelve years, rendered her ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:25-27). This meant she was perpetually ostracized, unable to participate in communal worship, touch others, or be touched without defiling them. Her presence in the crowd, let alone touching Jesus, was a violation of social and religious norms. Her act was one of immense desperation and courage, risking public condemnation. Jesus' subsequent search for her, and His public affirmation, was revolutionary, dismantling the social and religious barriers that had isolated her, transforming her from an outcast into a person of dignity and faith.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. It underscores Jesus' **divine omniscience and intentionality**, demonstrating that His healings are not random acts but conscious, purposeful engagements with individuals, as seen throughout His ministry where He consistently [knew the thoughts of others](/mark/2-8 "Mark 2:8 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts"). It highlights the **power of faith**, showing that while the touch was physical, it was the woman's deep conviction that activated the healing, a principle Jesus often emphasized, such as when He declared, "[Your faith has made you well](/mark/10-52 "Mark 10:52 - Your Faith Has Made You Well")" to blind Bartimaeus. Furthermore, Jesus' persistent search reveals His **compassion and desire for personal relationship**, moving beyond a miraculous cure to a redemptive encounter, mirroring His broader mission to [seek and to save the lost](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **looked round about (Greek, _periblépō'_):** From *peri* (around) and *blepō* (to look), this verb signifies an active, encompassing gaze, a deliberate scanning of the surroundings. It is not a casual glance but an intentional, searching look, implying a sustained effort to identify someone within a large group. Jesus was not merely turning His head but actively surveying the crowd with purpose.
* **to see (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb means "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication in the perfect tense, "to know." In this context, it refers to the act of perceiving or discerning. While Jesus already "knew" that power had gone out from Him and likely knew *who* had touched Him in His divine omniscience, His physical act of "looking to see" was for the benefit of the woman and the onlookers, to bring the hidden act into the light and facilitate a personal encounter.
* **had done (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb is broad, meaning "to make or do" in a wide application. Here, it refers to the specific action the woman performed—touching His garment. It emphasizes the active nature of her faith, her "doing" that initiated the miraculous healing. It was not a passive reception but an active step she took.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he looked round about":** This clause describes Jesus' physical action in response to the outflow of power. The Greek verb *perieblepeto* (from *periblépō*) is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or repeated action. It conveys that Jesus was not merely glancing but deliberately and intently scanning the crowd, His gaze moving from person to person, seeking to identify the individual. This active search underscores His intentionality and focus amidst the chaos of the multitude.
* **"to see her that had done this thing":** This phrase reveals the purpose of Jesus' intense gaze. He was looking to identify the specific person who had performed the "thing"—the act of touching His garment that resulted in healing. The phrase "this thing" (Greek, *toûto*) is a concise reference to the miraculous, faith-driven touch. Jesus' desire to "see her" was not for condemnation or exposure, but for a personal interaction, to acknowledge her faith, confirm her healing, and offer her peace and dignity.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices to enhance the narrative's impact. The use of the **Imperfect Aspect** in *perieblepeto* ("looked round about") vividly portrays Jesus' sustained and deliberate search, creating a sense of anticipation and emphasizing His intentionality rather than a casual reaction. This continuous action contrasts sharply with the instantaneous nature of the healing, highlighting Jesus' desire for a personal connection. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the omniscient Son of God, who knows all things, physically "looks around" to identify someone. This is not because He lacks knowledge, but because He desires to bring a private, furtive act of faith into public affirmation, transforming a secret encounter into a personal testimony. This act of "looking" also serves as a **Narrative Hook**, drawing the reader into the suspense of who will be revealed and what Jesus will say.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 5:32 powerfully illustrates God's profound personal engagement with humanity. Jesus' deliberate search for the woman, despite knowing who she was, transcends a mere display of power; it reveals His desire for relationship and His commitment to affirming the faith of those who seek Him. This verse teaches that God is not a distant, impersonal force, but one who actively notices, pursues, and validates the faith of individuals, even when their approach is timid or desperate. It underscores that true healing extends beyond the physical to encompass spiritual restoration, dignity, and a public acknowledgment of God's grace.

* [John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was In Man")
* [Matthew 9:22](/matthew/9-22 "Matthew 9:22 - Your Faith Has Made You Well")
* [Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 5:32 invites us to consider the depth of Jesus' personal care and attention. In a world where we often feel unnoticed or lost in the crowd, this verse assures us that God sees us, knows our struggles, and desires a personal encounter with us. The woman's secret touch, born of desperation and faith, was not overlooked by Jesus. He didn't just allow the power to flow; He sought out the recipient, not to expose her shame, but to affirm her faith and bestow peace. This challenges us to move beyond a transactional view of God, where we simply seek blessings, to a relational one, where we are invited to openly acknowledge His work in our lives. Are we willing to step out of the shadows, like the woman eventually did, and share our stories of God's grace, even when it feels vulnerable? Jesus' gaze is not one of judgment, but of love and invitation to deeper communion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' intentional search for the woman challenge our understanding of divine interaction?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we be tempted to receive God's blessings secretly, and what might we miss by doing so?**
* **How can we cultivate a faith that not only receives from God but also openly acknowledges His work in our lives?**
* **What does Jesus' compassion in this verse teach us about how we should interact with those who are marginalized or in need?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus need to 'look around' if He already knew who touched Him?**

Answer: Jesus' act of "looking around" was not born out of ignorance or a need to discover information He lacked. As the Son of God, He possessed divine omniscience, knowing all things, including who had touched Him and why. His question, "Who touched my clothes?" (Mark 5:30), and His subsequent search were primarily for the benefit of the woman and the surrounding crowd. For the woman, it was an opportunity to move from a furtive, anonymous healing to a public, personal encounter with Jesus, where her faith could be affirmed and her healing validated, bringing her full restoration—physical, social, and spiritual (Mark 5:34). Given her ritual uncleanness (Leviticus 15:25), a public affirmation was crucial for her reintegration into society. For the crowd, it served as a powerful teaching moment, demonstrating that healing was not a magical transaction but a result of faith and a testament to Jesus' compassionate, personal engagement with individuals. It also highlighted the reality of God's power at work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 5:32, with Jesus' deliberate search for the woman, profoundly foreshadows and embodies the heart of Christ's redemptive mission. Just as He actively sought out the one who had furtively touched Him, so too does the Good Shepherd [actively seek the lost sheep](/luke/15-4-7 "Luke 15:4-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep"), not content for any to remain hidden or unacknowledged. This divine pursuit culminates in His incarnation, where the Son of God [came to seek and to save the lost](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost"), entering into the messy, broken reality of humanity to draw individuals into a personal relationship. His "looking around" in Mark 5:32 is a microcosm of His broader work on the cross, where He intentionally laid down His life, not for an anonymous mass, but for every individual who would believe, knowing each one intimately (John 10:11). The woman's healing, initiated by her faith and completed by Jesus' intentional affirmation, points to the spiritual healing and restoration offered to all who, by faith, reach out to Christ, finding not just a cure for their ailments but a personal Savior who [stands at the door and knocks](/revelation/3-20 "Revelation 3:20 - Jesus Stands at the Door and Knocks"), desiring intimate communion.

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.