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Home Luke 13:10-17 NRSVue

Luke 13:10-17 NRSVue

10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the Sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured and not on the Sabbath day.” 15But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water? 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame, and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things being done by him.

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Reflection on Luke 13:10-17

Inspiration from 2025-10-27 Daily Prayer

Jesus, in his compassion for this afflicted woman, calls her over and cures her without her even asking him. In contrast, we see the unfeeling harshness of the synagogue leader, who is more concerned with the keeping of his human rules than about the suffering of this woman. Jesus said, ‘Be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate.’ Let us pray to become more like Jesus in his attitude towards others.

Further reflection

Imagine the synagogue and the congregation listening to Jesus teaching on a sabbath day.

Can I imagine myself witnessing or taking part in the scene? As I watch it unfold - or experience it - how do I react? With relief? Joy? Scepticism?

Does the image of the woman bent and crippled speak to me and my experience, whether literally or metaphorically? What do I want to say to Jesus?

Release from bondage is the key theme in this story. Jesus is the liberator, enabling us to stand straight, freeing us from what bows our heads so that we see only the earth in front of us.

The synagogue leader is afraid to take on Jesus; instead he rebukes the crowd for seeking a cure on the Sabbath. There is cowardice here, as well as hypocrisy. We can feel the joy of the crowd who sense that God is on the side of freedom and health. Lord, give me the spirit of freedom, and give me the energy and health to serve you.