Luke 8:48 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:48 mean?

Luke 8:48 records Jesus telling a woman who had just been healed, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Jesus reassures her, calls her “Daughter,” and credits her faith as the reason for her healing, sending her away in peace.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a woman who had suffered from a long illness and had secretly touched his garment, hoping to be healed. When she is discovered, Jesus addresses her kindly, affirming her value and the role her faith played in her recovery. The verse highlights Jesus’ compassion and the importance of trust in him within the story.

The Greek behind Luke 8:48

• “Daughter” (θυγάτηρ, thugatēr): Jesus uses a warm, personal term, showing care and acceptance, which would have been especially meaningful to someone who felt isolated by illness.
• “Be of good comfort” (θαρσεῖ, tharsei): This word is often understood as “take heart” or “have courage,” signaling reassurance and encouragement from Jesus.
• “Faith” (πίστις, pistis): The Greek here carries the sense of trust or confidence, emphasizing that it was the woman’s trust in Jesus that led to her healing.
• “Made thee whole” (σῴζω, sōzō): This word can mean both physical healing and being saved or delivered, suggesting a deeper restoration than just physical health.
• “Go in peace” (εἰρήνη, eirēnē): The word for “peace” points to a sense of wholeness and well-being, not just the absence of trouble.

Why Luke 8:48 matters

• Luke 8:48 clears up any idea that the healing was automatic or magical; Jesus points to the woman’s faith as the key factor, not just her action of touching his garment.
• The verse emphasizes Jesus’ personal attention and kindness, addressing the woman as “Daughter” and reassuring her, which highlights his compassion for those who feel marginalized.
• This moment connects to the wider passage by showing that Jesus responds to individual faith, even in a crowd, and that his healing brings both physical and inner peace.