Luke 13:11

KJV

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, there was {G2258} a woman {G1135} which had {G2192} a spirit {G4151} of infirmity {G769} eighteen {G1176}{G2532}{G3638} years {G2094}, and {G2532} was {G2258} bowed together {G4794}, and {G2532} could {G1410} in {G1519} no {G3361} wise {G3838} lift up {G352} herself.

Complete Jewish Bible

A woman came up who had a spirit which had crippled her for eighteen years; she was bent double and unable to stand erect at all.

Berean Standard Bible

and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was hunched over and could not stand up straight.

American Standard Version

And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:11 introduces a woman who had suffered from a debilitating "spirit of infirmity" for eighteen years, causing her to be severely bent over and utterly unable to straighten herself. This poignant encounter occurs while Jesus is teaching in a synagogue, setting the stage for a profound demonstration of His divine compassion, authority over spiritual oppression and physical ailment, and a challenge to the prevailing legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath. The verse vividly portrays the woman's long-term suffering and complete helplessness, highlighting the miraculous nature of Jesus' intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 13:11 is nestled within a section of Luke's Gospel (chapters 9-19) often referred to as the "Journey to Jerusalem," characterized by Jesus' teachings on discipleship, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and His increasing confrontation with religious authorities. Immediately preceding this account, Jesus delivers a stern warning about the necessity of repentance, using the examples of the Galileans massacred by Pilate and those killed by the falling tower of Siloam, emphasizing that all must repent or perish ([Luke 13:1-5](/luke/13-1-5 "Luke 13:1-5 - Call to Repentance")). This call to spiritual uprightness and freedom from sin provides a powerful backdrop to the physical and spiritual liberation of the bowed woman. The narrative of the healing itself directly leads into a sharp rebuke of the synagogue ruler who prioritizes Sabbath law over human suffering ([Luke 13:14-17](/luke/13-14-17 "Luke 13:14-17 - Jesus Rebukes the Synagogue Ruler")), further illustrating Jesus' compassionate authority and His reinterpretation of religious tradition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a synagogue on the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship. In first-century Jewish society, synagogues served as central community hubs for teaching, prayer, and social gathering. The Sabbath was a sacred institution, and strict interpretations of the Mosaic Law often governed permissible activities, especially regarding work, which included healing. While the Law itself permitted acts of mercy, many religious leaders had added numerous oral traditions that made such acts difficult or forbidden on the Sabbath. Furthermore, chronic illness, especially one as severe and long-lasting as the woman's, was often viewed through a spiritual lens, sometimes attributed to sin or, as explicitly stated here, to demonic influence. Women in this society, while having significant roles within the household, generally held a subordinate public position, making Jesus' direct and unsolicited intervention on behalf of this suffering woman particularly striking and counter-cultural.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is **Divine Compassion and Jesus' Proactive Love**, as Jesus initiates the healing without being asked, demonstrating His deep empathy for human suffering. It powerfully illustrates **Jesus' Authority Over Sickness and Spiritual Forces**, explicitly identifying the woman's condition as caused by a "spirit of infirmity," thereby highlighting His power not only over physical ailments but also over demonic oppression. The woman's long-term bondage and immediate liberation underscore the theme of **Deliverance and Freedom**, aligning with Jesus' stated mission to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and release for the oppressed ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Finally, the subsequent conflict with the synagogue ruler introduces the theme of **Compassion Over Legalism**, where Jesus challenges rigid religious interpretations that hinder acts of mercy and healing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pneûma (Greek, _pneûma'_):** This word, translated as "spirit," is crucial. While it can refer to breath, wind, or the human spirit, in this context, especially when combined with "infirmity," it strongly denotes a malevolent, supernatural entity or demonic influence. It signifies that the woman's physical ailment was not merely a natural illness but had a spiritual, oppressive root, distinguishing it from common sicknesses.
* **asthéneia (Greek, _asthéneia'_):** Meaning "infirmity," "weakness," or "disease," this term describes the physical manifestation of the spiritual oppression. It emphasizes the woman's physical feebleness and suffering, making it clear that her body was indeed afflicted, even if the root cause was spiritual.
* **synkýptō (Greek, _synkýptō'_):** Translated as "bowed together," this verb vividly describes the woman's physical posture. It implies a complete and severe bending, suggesting she was doubled over, unable to stand upright. The prefix "syn-" (together) intensifies the image, indicating a profound and perhaps permanent curvature.
* **anakýptō (Greek, _anakýptō'_):** Meaning "to lift up" or "to straighten up," this word describes the action the woman "could in no wise" perform. It highlights her utter physical incapacitation and the profound nature of her bondage. The inability to "lift up herself" underscores the severity of her condition and her complete dependence on divine intervention for restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, there was a woman":** The introductory "behold" (Greek: _idoú_) serves as an attention-grabber, drawing the reader's focus to the significant person about to be introduced. This woman is presented as an individual, not merely part of a crowd, emphasizing Jesus' personal attention to her plight.
* **"which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years":** This clause reveals the nature and duration of her suffering. The "spirit of infirmity" explicitly points to a supernatural, demonic cause for her physical ailment, rather than a natural disease. The "eighteen years" underscores the chronic, long-term nature of her suffering, highlighting the depth of her bondage and the human impossibility of her recovery.
* **"and was bowed together":** This phrase graphically describes the physical manifestation of her condition. She was physically bent over, likely unable to stand erect, a posture that would have severely limited her mobility and quality of life, symbolizing perhaps a broader spiritual oppression that weighed her down.
* **"and could in no wise lift up [herself].":** This final clause emphasizes her complete helplessness and the severity of her physical state. The phrase "in no wise" (Greek: _eis to pantelēs_) signifies utter impossibility from a human perspective, setting the stage for the miraculous and immediate nature of Jesus' healing, which transcends all human limitations.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account of the bowed woman masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Symbolism** is prominent, as the woman's physical state of being "bowed together" for eighteen years symbolizes the spiritual bondage and oppression that can weigh down individuals, preventing them from standing upright in freedom and dignity. Her inability to "lift up herself" represents human helplessness in the face of such deep-seated affliction. There is a powerful **Contrast** between her chronic, debilitating condition and Jesus' immediate and complete restoration. This contrast highlights Jesus' supreme authority over sickness and spiritual forces. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' healing on the Sabbath and the subsequent conflict with the synagogue ruler ([Luke 13:14-17](/luke/13-14-17 "Luke 13:14-17 - Jesus' Defense of Sabbath Healing")) anticipate the ongoing tension between Jesus' compassionate ministry and the rigid legalism of some religious leaders throughout the Gospels.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:11 profoundly illustrates Jesus' divine nature and mission. It reveals that Jesus' compassion extends beyond mere physical healing to address the spiritual roots of suffering, demonstrating His authority over demonic forces that inflict illness and bondage. The immediate and complete nature of the healing underscores His power to bring total liberation, not just relief. This miracle also serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' redefinition of the Sabbath, prioritizing human need and divine mercy over rigid adherence to man-made traditions, a theme consistently present in Luke's Gospel. It shows that God's desire is for humanity to be free, whole, and able to glorify Him.

* [Matthew 12:9-14](/matthew/12-9-14 "Matthew 12:9-14 - Healing on the Sabbath")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus' Ministry of Healing and Deliverance")
* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the bowed woman offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. For those who have endured long seasons of physical, emotional, or spiritual "infirmity," this passage is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that Jesus sees our suffering, even when we feel unseen, and His compassion is not limited by the duration or severity of our affliction. Just as He proactively intervened for the woman, He is attentive to our needs, often acting before we even voice a request. Furthermore, the narrative encourages us to look beyond purely physical explanations for our struggles, recognizing that some forms of bondage may have spiritual roots that require spiritual deliverance. It challenges us to cultivate a heart of compassion that prioritizes human flourishing and mercy over rigid rules or traditions, embodying the spirit of Christ who came to set the captives free. Finally, it reassures us that the power Jesus demonstrated to heal and deliver is still active, inviting us to trust in His ongoing ability to bring freedom and wholeness into our lives and the lives of those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "spirit of infirmity" or long-term burdens might be keeping you "bowed together" and preventing you from living in full freedom and joy?**
* **How does Jesus' proactive compassion toward the woman challenge your understanding of God's care for you, especially in your unseen struggles?**
* **In what ways might we, like the synagogue ruler, prioritize rules or traditions over genuine human need and the demonstration of God's liberating power?**
* **How can you pray for deliverance and healing, both for yourself and for others, recognizing that some struggles may have spiritual roots?**

### FAQ

**Was the woman's illness a result of her own sin?**

Answer: The text of Luke 13:11 explicitly states that the woman "had a spirit of infirmity," indicating that her physical condition was caused by a malevolent spiritual entity, not her personal sin. While some in that culture might have assumed a link between illness and sin (as seen in [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Blind Man's Sin")), Jesus consistently challenged this simplistic view. In this case, her suffering was a form of spiritual oppression that manifested physically, highlighting Jesus' authority over such forces rather than His judgment on her character.

**Why did Jesus heal her without her asking for it?**

Answer: Jesus' unsolicited healing of the woman underscores His profound compassion and proactive love. Unlike many other healing accounts where individuals or their advocates approach Him for help, Jesus "saw her" and called her to Him. This demonstrates that His mercy is not contingent on a request but flows from His divine nature and His mission to seek and save the lost, and to set the captives free ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")). It highlights His initiative in bringing liberation and restoration to those in bondage, even if they are too bound to ask.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the bowed woman in Luke 13:11 is a powerful microcosm of Christ's broader redemptive work. Her eighteen years of being "bowed together" by a "spirit of infirmity" vividly portrays humanity's bondage to sin, sickness, and spiritual oppression under the dominion of Satan ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")). Jesus, the Son of God, steps into this scene of profound human helplessness and, with a word and a touch, liberates her completely. This act foreshadows His ultimate victory over sin and death on the cross, where He disarmed the spiritual powers and authorities that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Just as He freed her from physical and spiritual bondage, He offers spiritual freedom and uprightness to all who believe in Him, enabling them to stand tall in the newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Through His Holy Spirit, Christ continues to break the chains of infirmity and oppression, fulfilling His mission to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Inaugural Sermon")). His compassionate act on the Sabbath reveals His heart for humanity's wholeness, a wholeness fully realized in His atoning work and ongoing ministry as the Great Physician and Deliverer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 8:2

And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

Luke 13:16

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Luke 8:27

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.

Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Acts 4:22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Mark 9:21

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Luke 8:43

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,