King James Version

What Does Luke 8:45 Mean?

Luke 8:45 in the King James Version says “And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng th... — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 8:45 · KJV


Context

43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years , which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

44

Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

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?

46

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

47

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? Jesus' question "Who touched me?" (Tis ho hapsamenos mou, Τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου) seems absurd given the pressing crowd. His disciples recognized this—"when all denied" (arnoumenōn de pantōn, ἀρνουμένων δὲ πάντων) indicates the crowd collectively protested that identifying one touch among many was impossible. Peter's response represents the disciples' pragmatic incredulity.

Peter addressed Jesus as "Master" (Epistata, Ἐπιστάτα), Luke's characteristic term emphasizing Jesus' teaching authority and leadership. His question "the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?" (hoi ochloi sunechousin se kai apothlibousin, kai legeis, Tis ho hapsamenos mou?, οἱ ὄχλοι συνέχουσίν σε καὶ ἀποθλίβουσιν, καὶ λέγεις, Τίς ὁ ἁψάμενός μου;) expresses bewilderment. The verbs sunechō (συνέχω, "hem in, constrain") and apothlibō (ἀποθλίβω, "press against, crowd") convey the crush of bodies surrounding Jesus.

Yet Jesus distinguished between casual physical contact and faith-filled touch. Hundreds touched Him physically as the crowd pressed, but one person touched Him spiritually—reaching out in desperate faith, believing His power could heal. This distinction remains crucial: religious activity, church attendance, and proximity to Christian community differ fundamentally from personal faith that grasps Christ for salvation. Jesus perceives the difference between mere contact and genuine trust.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter's bold, sometimes presumptuous responses to Jesus appear throughout the Gospels—here questioning Jesus' seemingly illogical inquiry, later rebuking Jesus' prediction of suffering (Matthew 16:22), declaring he would never deny Christ (Matthew 26:33-35), then doing exactly that. Peter's impetuosity reflects genuine devotion combined with incomplete understanding—a pattern common among disciples still learning to trust Jesus' wisdom beyond appearances.

The crowd's size and press around Jesus illustrates His immense popularity during this Galilean ministry phase. Multitudes followed Him everywhere, seeking healing, teaching, and miracles. In such chaos, identifying one specific touch seemed impossible—yet Jesus' divine omniscience perceived not just physical contact but spiritual intention. He knew immediately that healing power had flowed from Him in response to faith.

This incident occurred while Jairus waited desperately for Jesus to reach his dying daughter. The delay caused by Jesus' question and the coming dialogue (vv. 46-48) would test Jairus' faith severely. From human perspective, Jesus was wasting precious time on what seemed an insignificant matter while a child lay dying. Yet divine wisdom operates beyond human urgency, accomplishing multiple purposes simultaneously.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' distinction between casual physical contact and faith-filled touching challenge superficial religious participation?
  2. What does Peter's bold questioning reveal about the disciples' ongoing process of learning to trust Jesus' wisdom beyond appearances?
  3. How should we respond when God's timing seems to ignore our urgent needs to address what appears less important?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
καὶ1 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν2 of 31

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

3 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 31

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Τίς5 of 31

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

6 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁψάμενός7 of 31

touched

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

μου8 of 31

me

G3450

of me

ἀρνουμένων9 of 31

denied

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

δὲ10 of 31

When

G1161

but, and, etc

πάντων11 of 31

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

εἶπεν12 of 31

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

13 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος14 of 31

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

καὶ15 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ16 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μετ'17 of 31

they that were with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτοῦ,18 of 31

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐπιστάτα19 of 31

Master

G1988

an appointee over, i.e., commander (teacher)

οἱ20 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλοι21 of 31

the multitude

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

συνέχουσίν22 of 31

throng

G4912

to hold together, i.e., to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy

σε23 of 31

thee

G4571

thee

καὶ24 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποθλίβουσιν25 of 31

press

G598

to crowd (from every side)

καὶ26 of 31

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λέγεις,27 of 31

sayest

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Τίς28 of 31

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

29 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁψάμενός30 of 31

touched

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

μου31 of 31

me

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:45 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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