And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

LUKE 8:46KJV
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Luke 8:46 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:46 mean?

Luke 8:46 records Jesus saying that someone has touched Him because He sensed that "virtue" (meaning power) had gone out from Him. Jesus is making it clear that He was aware when His healing power was drawn upon, even in the midst of a crowd.

In this scene, Jesus is surrounded by many people, but He stops and points out that a specific touch was different—He felt healing power leave Him. This happens just after a woman with a long-term illness touches Jesus' cloak, hoping to be healed. Jesus’ statement highlights both His awareness and the unique nature of the woman’s faith-driven touch.

The Greek behind Luke 8:46

  • δύναμις (dynamis, transliterated): This word is translated as "virtue" in the KJV, but it more often means "power" or "ability." Here, it refers to the miraculous healing power that Jesus sensed leaving Him, not moral virtue.
  • γινώσκω (ginōskō, transliterated): Translated as "perceive," this word means to know or become aware of something. Jesus is not just guessing—He has a real awareness that power has gone out from Him.
  • ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai, transliterated): This is the word for "gone out." It emphasizes that something active and real left Jesus, underlining the tangible nature of the healing event.

Why Luke 8:46 matters

  • Luke 8:46 clarifies that Jesus’ miracles were not automatic or impersonal; He was personally aware when His power was used to heal someone.
  • The verse helps readers see the difference between the casual contact of the crowd and the intentional, faith-filled touch of the woman, which drew out Jesus’ healing power.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where Jesus publicly acknowledges the woman’s faith, showing the importance of both faith and Jesus’ personal involvement in healing.

Where else these words appear

“touched” Greek G680 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  • Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
  • Luke 7:39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

“me” Greek G1700 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
  • Acts 25:9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

“virtue” Greek G1411 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
  • Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?