Text: LUKE 13:10-17
By: Adeoye, Emmanuel (Evang.)
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synagogues on the sabbath. 11: and behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12: but when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13: and He laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
The story of the woman with a 18-year problem is found in Luke 13:10-17. She is described as having A “SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY” (a disabling spirit or, in some translations, a demon) that kept her bent over and unable to stand up straight for eighteen years.
THE CONDITION:
She was “bent over” (KJV: “bowed together”) and could not lift herself up at all, a condition some commentators link to a severe form of spinal curvature or, in her case, a direct result of demonic oppression.
THE SETTING:
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath when he noticed her.
THE HEALING:
Jesus called her forward, declared her “loosed” from her infirmity, and laid his hands on her.
THE IMMEDIATE RESULT:
She was instantly made straight and began praising God.
THE CONTROVERSY:
The ruler of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, to which Jesus replied that if they could untie their animals on the Sabbath, it was right to free this “daughter of Abraham” from her long-term bondage.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STORY:
COMPASSION AND INITIATIVE: Jesus healed her on his own initiative, demonstrating his compassion for the marginalized and suffering.
FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE: The number 18 represents a long, intense period of bondage in the Bible, and her healing signifies Jesus’ power over all forms of oppression.
SABBATH PURPOSE: The story highlights that the Sabbath is a time for doing good and bringing healing, rather than just adhering to rigid legalism.
Jesus heals a woman crippled by a spirit for eighteen years while teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. After he heals her, the indignant synagogue leader objects, arguing that healing should not occur on the Sabbath. Jesus rebukes him as a hypocrite, noting that they care for their animals on the Sabbath, so this “daughter of Abraham” should certainly be released from her bondage on that day.
KEY ASPECTS OF THE PASSAGE:
THE MIRACLE: Jesus sees a woman bent over, calls her forward, says, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity,” and lays hands on her, causing her to immediately stand straight and praise God.
THE CONFLICT: The synagogue leader, representing legalistic adherence to the Sabbath, complains that healing is “work” that should be done on other days.
JESUS’ RESPONSE:
Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the leaders, arguing that if it is acceptable to untie and water an ox or donkey on the Sabbath, it is right to free a human being from 18 years of bondage.
THE OUTCOME:
The adversaries are shamed, while the crowd rejoices at the wonderful things Jesus does. This passage highlights themes of compassion over rigid legalism, the true purpose of the Sabbath as a day for setting people free, and Jesus’ authority over sickness and Satan.
LESSONS
- JESUS SEES YOU EVEN WHEN OTHERS IGNORE YOU – (THE WOMAN DID NOT CALL JESUS; JESUS CALLED HER)
- TIME DOES NOT STOP GOD’S POWER – (18 YEARS DID NOT MAKE THE MIRACLE HARDER)
- WHAT BEND YOUR LIFE TODAY; JESUS CAN STRENGHTEN IT (YOUR EMOTION, FINANCES, BODY, MIND), NO SITUATION IS OLD FOR GOD).
- LORD STRENGTHEN EVERY THING THAT BEND MY BODY, PAIN, DELAY, FEAR AND RESTORE US COMPLETELY
CONCLUSION
HYMN 578 – THERE’S IS NOT A FRIEND
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