King James Version

What Does Mark 5:30 Mean?

Mark 5:30 in the King James Version says “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Mark 5:30 · KJV


Context

28

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31

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

32

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? This verse reveals Jesus' divine awareness and initiates public interaction. 'Immediately knowing in himself' (εὐθὺς ἐπιγνοὺς ἐν ἑαυτῷ, euthys epignous en heautō) indicates Jesus' internal, intuitive awareness—not guessing but knowing with certainty. 'Virtue had gone out of him' (τὴν ἐξ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν ἐξελθοῦσαν, tēn ex autou dynamin exelthousan) describes divine power flowing from Him. The word δύναμις (dynamis) means power, might, or miraculous ability—this wasn't energy depletion but conscious awareness of healing power operating.

Jesus 'turned about in the press' (ἐπιστραφεὶς ἐν τῷ ὄχλῳ, epistrapheis en tō ochlō) shows deliberate action to identify the toucher. His question 'Who touched my clothes?' (Τίς μου ἥψατο τῶν ἱματίων, Tis mou hēpsato tōn himatiōn) wasn't seeking information He lacked but creating opportunity for public testimony. Many people physically bumped Jesus in the crowd, but only one touched with faith. This distinction illustrates that proximity to Christ doesn't save—multitudes heard Jesus teach, saw miracles, even physically contacted Him, yet remained unsaved. Only faith-filled contact brings transformation. Jesus wanted this woman's faith publicly acknowledged, her healing confirmed, and her testimony shared to strengthen others' faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of healing power flowing from a person was somewhat familiar in ancient world—pagan wonder-workers and Jewish holy men were believed to possess special power. However, Jesus' power was qualitatively different: not learned technique or spiritual manipulation but divine authority. The question 'Who touched me?' in a dense crowd seemed strange to disciples (v. 31), yet Jesus distinguished between casual physical contact and faith-filled intentional touch. Rabbinic literature contains debates about ritual purity transfer through clothing—whether touching garments conveyed uncleanness the same as touching the person. Jesus' healing through garment contact superseded these concerns—His holiness cleansed rather than being defiled. The public nature of this exchange was important culturally: the woman needed community acknowledgment of her healing to be fully restored socially and religiously. Private healing wouldn't suffice; public recognition was necessary for reintegration into normal life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the distinction between casual crowd contact with Jesus and faith-filled touch challenge superficial religious participation versus genuine faith engagement?
  2. Why did Jesus publicly identify the woman rather than allowing her anonymous healing, and what does this teach about the importance of public testimony?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
καὶ1 of 22

And

G2532

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

εὐθὲως2 of 22

immediately

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

3 of 22
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 22

Jesus

G2424

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

ἐπιγνοὺς5 of 22

knowing

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

ἐν6 of 22

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἑαυτῷ7 of 22

himself

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

τὴν8 of 22
G3588

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

ἐξ9 of 22

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτοῦ10 of 22
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

δύναμιν11 of 22

that virtue

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

ἐξελθοῦσαν12 of 22

had gone

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐπιστραφεὶς13 of 22

turned him about

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

ἐν14 of 22

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ15 of 22
G3588

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

ὄχλῳ16 of 22

the press

G3793

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

ἔλεγεν17 of 22

and said

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

Τίς18 of 22

Who

G5101

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

μου19 of 22

my

G3450

of me

ἥψατο20 of 22

touched

G680

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

τῶν21 of 22
G3588

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

ἱματίων22 of 22

clothes

G2440

a dress (inner or outer)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 5:30 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 Mark 5:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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