Mark 5:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The disciples find the question absurd: the whole crowd is pressing him, and he asks who touched him.
What Does Mark 5:31 Mean?
The disciples answer with something close to exasperation: "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?" To them the question is unanswerable; half the town is touching him.
The exchange measures the gap between seeing a crowd and seeing a person. The disciples feel undifferentiated pressure; Jesus has felt a single needy touch. It is possible -- the verse almost insists we notice -- to throng Jesus without touching him at all: to be near him constantly, part of the press around him, and never once reach for him in believing need. The crowd brushes him; faith lays hold of him. The difference is everything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 5:31
What does Mark 5:31 mean?
The disciples find the question absurd: the whole crowd is pressing him, and he asks who touched him.