King James Version

What Does Luke 8:48 Mean?

Luke 8:48 in the King James Version says “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Luke 8:48 · KJV


Context

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.

48

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

49

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

50

But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus tells the healed woman: 'Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.' The address 'daughter' (Greek 'thygatēr,' θυγάτηρ) expresses tender affection—Jesus doesn't shame her for touching Him but welcomes her into family relationship. 'Thy faith hath made thee whole' (Greek 'hē pistis sou sesōken se,' ἡ πίστις σου σέσωκέν σε) credits faith as the means of healing. She was healed physically before Jesus spoke (v. 44), but Jesus publicly affirms her faith, gives her peace, and removes the stigma of her disease. Faith touches Jesus and receives healing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The woman had suffered 12 years with chronic bleeding, probably uterine hemorrhaging. This made her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27), socially isolated, unable to marry or participate in worship, and religiously stigmatized. She had spent all her money on physicians who couldn't help (v. 43). Her desperate faith led her to touch Jesus' garment hem, believing even that contact would heal. Her touch in a crowd (v. 45) required courage—touching someone while unclean transmitted impurity. Yet instead of being defiled, Jesus' purity and power healed her. Jesus' public affirmation restored her social and religious standing, not just her health.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' tender address 'Daughter' teach about His heart toward those coming to Him in desperate faith?
  2. How does Jesus' public affirmation of the woman's faith restore not just her health but her social and religious standing?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
1 of 14
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 14

And

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 14

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῇ4 of 14

unto her

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

Θάρσει,5 of 14

be of good comfort

G2293

to have courage

θύγατερ6 of 14

Daughter

G2364

a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)

7 of 14
G3588

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

πίστις8 of 14

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

σου9 of 14

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

σέσωκέν10 of 14

hath made

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

σε·11 of 14

thee

G4571

thee

πορεύου12 of 14

go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

εἰς13 of 14

in

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

εἰρήνην14 of 14

peace

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity


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 8:48 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 8:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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