Luke 8:46

Analysis & Commentary

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. Jesus' insistence "Somebody hath touched me" (Hēpsato mou tis, Ἥψατό μού τις) distinguishes this touch from all others. The pronoun tis (τις, "somebody, someone") indicates a specific individual among the multitude. Jesus knew exactly who touched Him but asked publicly to draw the woman forward, affirm her faith, and grant her peace and restored dignity.

The phrase "I perceive that virtue is gone out of me" (egō gar egnōn dunamin exelēluythuian ap' emou, ἐγὼ γὰρ ἔγνων δύναμιν ἐξεληλυθυῖαν ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ) reveals Jesus' awareness of healing power flowing from Him. The word dynamis (δύναμις, "virtue, power, ability, strength") describes divine energy, miraculous force, supernatural capability. The perfect tense verb exelēluythuian (ἐξεληλυθυῖαν, "has gone out") indicates completed action with ongoing results—power had flowed and accomplished its purpose.

This statement raises profound theological questions about Christ's incarnation and divine-human nature. Did healing cost Jesus something? Was His power diminished? Reformed theology affirms that Jesus' divine nature (infinite, omnipotent, unlimited) remained unchanged, but His human experience involved genuine engagement with human limitation and suffering. The passage reveals Jesus' voluntary submission to human experience while retaining divine attributes—He chose to notice power's release, creating opportunity to honor the woman's faith publicly.

Historical Context

The concept of divine power flowing through holy persons appears throughout biblical history. Elijah's mantle performed miracles (2 Kings 2:8, 14), Elisha's bones revived a dead man (2 Kings 13:21), and handkerchiefs from Paul's body brought healing (Acts 19:12). Yet Jesus' power was qualitatively different—not channeled through objects but emanating from His person as God incarnate. He possessed inherent divine authority, not delegated or borrowed power.

Jewish understanding acknowledged God's power working through prophets and holy men, but Jesus' awareness of power flowing from Him demonstrated unique divine-human unity. He wasn't merely a conduit for external power but the source of divine energy Himself. This distinction sets Him apart from all prophets, miracle workers, and religious figures—they prayed for God to act; Jesus acted with intrinsic divine authority.

Jesus' public identification of this touch served multiple purposes: honoring the woman's faith, removing her shame, restoring her social standing, and teaching crowds about the nature of saving faith. Had she slipped away anonymously, she would remain unclean in community perception, unable to resume worship participation or social life. Jesus' public affirmation (v. 48) would complete her healing by restoring her dignity and covenant standing.

Questions for Reflection

• What does Jesus' awareness of healing power flowing from Him reveal about His divine nature and voluntary engagement with human experience?
• How does this passage demonstrate the difference between Jesus as the intrinsic source of power versus prophets as channels of God's power?
• Why was Jesus' public identification of the woman's touch necessary for her complete healing and restoration?