What does the disciples' question reveal about their understanding of Jesus' power? Setting the Scene • Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus’s daughter when a woman with a flow of blood touches His cloak and is instantly healed (Mark 5:25-29). • “At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him” (v. 30). He stops and asks, “Who touched My cloak?” • Mark 5:31: “His disciples answered, ‘You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, “Who touched Me?”’” The Disciples’ Question • They focus on the obvious: everyone is bumping into Jesus. From their viewpoint the question seems unnecessary. • Their response carries a mild rebuke—“How can You single out one touch in a mob?” • It exposes their assumption that Jesus must operate within normal human limitations of awareness. What the Question Reveals about Their View of His Power 1. Limited Expectation • They acknowledge Jesus’ power to heal when He is consciously engaged (e.g., laying hands, speaking a word), but they do not yet grasp that His power can flow without a deliberate, public act. • Contrast: Later they understand better—“God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:11). At this point, such overflow is unfamiliar to them. 2. Natural over Supernatural Thinking • They reason from sight: “the crowd pressing in.” • They overlook the unseen spiritual reality that power has uniquely gone out (v. 30). Compare 2 Kings 6:17—Elisha’s servant initially sees only physical horses and chariots. 3. Incomplete Understanding of His Omniscience • Jesus senses the woman’s touch in a personal, specific way. The disciples assume He cannot know. • Later revelation: “Lord, You know all things” (John 21:17). 4. Missed Opportunity to Celebrate Grace • Instead of expecting a testimony of healing, they dismiss the moment as logistical confusion. • They will grow: after Pentecost, Peter looks for such divine moments (Acts 3:4-6). Supporting Snapshots of Growing Awareness • Mark 4:41—“Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Early awe mixed with uncertainty. • Mark 6:52—“They had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” Repeated pattern of underestimating Him. • Matthew 14:33—After walking on water: “Truly You are the Son of God.” Their understanding is progressive. Key Takeaways • The disciples’ question shows they still measure Jesus by ordinary human categories. • Jesus uses the incident to teach that His power is personal, purposeful, and unrestricted by crowds, noise, or circumstance. • Scripture records these moments to move readers from the disciples’ early, limited view toward full confidence in the limitless authority of Christ (Ephesians 1:19-21). |
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