What does Luke 8:48 mean?

On His way to heal the daughter of a synagogue leader, Jesus is distracted by His own "daughter." She was ill and unclean. She touched the hem of His cloak in secret, potentially making Him unclean. He forced a confession from her in a crowd so tight it's described using terms appropriate for squeezing out the insides of a grape. She has publicly, although reluctantly, admitted she was unclean and, as far as she knows, made Him so as well (Luke 8:43–47).

By drawing attention to the woman, Jesus blesses her in several different ways. He makes sure the entire region knows she is clean; they can freely associate with her. He lets her know that her faith is the reason she is healed; she is not as helpless as she may have thought. Even more, her peace with God is restored.

This is the only time in Scripture where Jesus calls a woman His daughter. The word connotes a familiarity she could never imagine. The title means she was right to touch Him; she was right to think He was responsible for caring for her. Even more, He is happy to do so.