Mark 5:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?"

NIV: At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

NASB: And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power from Him had gone out, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched My garments?'

CSB: At once Jesus realized in himself that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?"

NLT: Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my robe?'

KJV: 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

NKJV: And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

Bible scholars have debated for generations as to how much Jesus "knew" during His time on earth. Did He, being fully God, always have the omniscience of God (Mark 2:8)? Or, as fully man, was He only aware of what His senses determined and what the Holy Spirit inspired Him to know? If Jesus' knowledge is limited, the question He poses to the crowd is self-explanatory. However, even if He already knows, this is consistent with God's use of questions throughout Scripture.

In Genesis 3:9, while Adam and Eve are hiding from their sin of eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge, God calls out, "Where are you?" The question isn't meant to gather information that God doesn't already have. It is meant to direct the conversation, to allow Adam and Eve to present themselves to God and have an honest discussion. God repeats this strategy with Cain when He asks, "Where is Abel your brother?" (Genesis 4:9). Parents deliberately use such tactics all the time to attempt to draw an honorable truth from their children.

So, whether Jesus knows the woman has touched Him or not, the question has the desired effect. The crowd stops, perhaps even pulling back to give them space. It's unclear if others in the crowd have received healing as in Matthew 14:34–36 and Luke 6:17–19. It is clear that Jesus feels the need to address this woman specifically.

Although the Bible is hazy regarding Jesus' source of knowledge, the Gospels do seem to indicate that His miraculous healing power comes from the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:14 says that Jesus started His ministry "in the power of the Spirit," and the Spirit authorizes His ministry (Luke 4:18). Matthew 12:28 seems to indicate that Jesus' power to expel demons comes from the Holy Spirit, although He may mean His work is in accordance with the will of the Holy Spirit.

Even so, when we read that Jesus feels power coming out of Him, we need not infer that His power is limited. This incident is more like noticing that water is flowing from a fire hydrant, or a massive lake. The power is moving out of Jesus, but it is not being reduced in Jesus.

Mark 5:25–34 interrupts a depiction of Jesus healing a synagogue leader's daughter. Before He can get through the crowd, He feels power flowing out of Him. A woman who has been hemorrhaging for twelve years touches His robe and God heals her. This passage shows that God is sovereign over our distractions; He will sometimes give us important work in the midst of other tasks. It also shows that we are not a nuisance to Him. He always has time for us. This account is also found in Matthew 9:20–22 and Luke 8:43–48.

Jesus arrives on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and heals a man afflicted by a ''legion'' of demons. In the aftermath of this event, Jesus once again crosses the waters within this region, known as the Decapolis. There, He is approached by a synagogue leader, begging Him to come and save a dying girl. In the midst of this trip, Jesus stops the crowd to identify a woman who attempted to covertly touch his robes; her faithful act results in healing. Jesus then continues on to the home of the synagogue leader and resurrects his recently-deceased child.

Mark 4:35—5:43 sees an increase in the scope of Jesus' miracles. He has just calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. Now, He expels a legion of demons, heals a woman without overtly acting, and brings a girl back to life. All three situations—related to tombs, blood, and death—show Jesus bringing healing to unclean circumstances. In chapter 6, the tone of His ministry will develop. He will be rejected by those who should know Him best, He will send out His followers to do His work, and His direct link to the Old Testament prophets will be explained.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.