Luke 13:13

KJV

And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he laid {G2007} his hands {G5495} on {G2007} her {G846}: and {G2532} immediately {G3916} she was made straight {G461}, and {G2532} glorified {G1392} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He put his hands on her, and at once she stood upright and began to glorify God.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.

American Standard Version

And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:13 powerfully narrates Jesus' compassionate and authoritative healing of a woman who had been severely afflicted for eighteen years. Without her prompting, Jesus initiated her restoration by laying His hands upon her, resulting in an immediate and complete physical straightening. This miraculous act culminated in the woman's spontaneous and public glorification of God, serving as a profound testament to divine power and mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This healing narrative is strategically placed within Luke's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath and preceding a significant confrontation with the synagogue ruler concerning the legality of healing on the Sabbath. The preceding verses [Luke 13:10-12](/luke/13-10-12 "Luke 13:10-12 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath") establish the setting—a synagogue on the Sabbath—and introduce the woman's long-standing affliction. Jesus' proactive call to her ("Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity") sets the stage for the physical act of healing described in [Luke 13:13](/luke/13-13 "Luke 13:13 - The Healing of the Bent Woman"). The subsequent verses [Luke 13:14-17](/luke/13-14-17 "Luke 13:14-17 - Jesus Rebukes the Synagogue Ruler") reveal the controversy ignited by this healing, highlighting Jesus' teaching on the true meaning and purpose of the Sabbath, which prioritizes human need and God's compassion over rigid legalism.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Healing on the Sabbath was a contentious issue in first-century Judaism, often leading to disputes between Jesus and the religious authorities. The Mosaic Law prohibited work on the Sabbath, and rabbinic interpretations had expanded this to include many activities, including healing, unless a life was in immediate danger. This woman's condition, while debilitating, was not life-threatening, making Jesus' act a deliberate challenge to the prevailing legalistic interpretations. Synagogues were not only places of worship but also community centers where teaching and discussions occurred. The act of laying on hands was a common practice for prayer, blessing, and healing, signifying a transfer of power or authority. For a woman to be healed publicly in a synagogue, especially after 18 years of suffering, would have been a profoundly visible and impactful event within that cultural setting, drawing significant attention to both the miracle and the healer.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 13:13](/luke/13-13 "Luke 13:13 - The Healing of the Bent Woman") contributes to several major themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' divine authority and compassion**, demonstrating His power over both physical ailments and spiritual oppression (as the woman's condition was attributed to a "spirit of infirmity" in [Luke 13:11](/luke/13-11 "Luke 13:11 - The Woman with the Spirit of Infirmity")). Jesus' initiative in calling her and His tender gesture of laying on hands highlight His empathy for the marginalized and suffering. Secondly, the theme of **instantaneous and complete healing** is prominent, emphasizing the immediate and undeniable nature of God's restorative power through Christ. There is no gradual recovery, but a full and perfect restoration. Finally, the woman's response of **glorifying God** points to the ultimate purpose of Jesus' miracles: to reveal God's glory and elicit praise from those who witness His mighty works. This aligns with the broader biblical emphasis that all good gifts and acts of deliverance should lead to the praise of the Giver, as seen in [Matthew 5:16](/matthew/5-16 "Matthew 5:16 - Let Your Light Shine").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **laid (Greek, _epitíthēmi'_):** From G2007, meaning "to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)." In this context, it signifies a deliberate, purposeful action of Jesus placing His hands upon the woman. This gesture was commonly associated with blessing, commissioning, and, crucially, healing in both Old and New Testaments, often indicating a transfer of divine power or authority.
* **made straight (Greek, _anorthóō'_):** From G461, meaning "to straighten up," "to restore," or "to make erect." This word perfectly captures the dramatic physical transformation of the woman, who had been severely bent over for nearly two decades. It emphasizes the complete and immediate reversal of her long-standing infirmity, signifying a full restoration to her natural posture and health.
* **glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** From G1392, meaning "to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)." The woman's immediate response to her healing was to "glorify God," indicating a public and profound expression of praise, honor, and adoration. This act acknowledges God's power and goodness as the source of her miraculous deliverance, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of the healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he laid his hands on her:"** This clause describes Jesus' compassionate and authoritative action. The laying on of hands was a common biblical gesture signifying blessing, prayer, and the impartation of healing or spiritual power. It was a personal and direct act, demonstrating Jesus' empathy and His direct involvement in her suffering.
* **"and immediately she was made straight,"** This highlights the instantaneous and complete nature of the miracle. The Greek word `parachrēma` (G3916) emphasizes the swiftness, leaving no room for doubt or gradual recovery. Her body, bent for eighteen years, was perfectly restored, serving as undeniable proof of divine intervention.
* **"and glorified God."** This final clause describes the woman's immediate and appropriate response to her healing. Her act of glorifying God was a public declaration of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging that her healing was a direct act of God. This response aligns with the purpose of miracles in the Gospels—to reveal God's power and elicit worship.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, as Jesus' act of healing on the Sabbath, intended to bring glory to God and freedom to a suffering individual, becomes the very catalyst for controversy and opposition from the religious leaders in the subsequent verses. The phrase "immediately she was made straight" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the instantaneous and complete nature of the healing, underscoring the divine power at work. Furthermore, the woman's act of "glorified God" serves as a powerful instance of **Thematic Reinforcement**, aligning with Luke's broader emphasis on the proper response to God's mighty acts, which is always praise and worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:13 stands as a powerful testament to the compassionate and liberating nature of God's kingdom, actively breaking into human suffering through Jesus Christ. It underscores the theological truth that God's power is not limited by the duration or severity of human affliction, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. The immediate and complete healing signifies God's desire for wholeness and restoration for His people, challenging any notion that suffering is always a sign of divine displeasure or an unchangeable fate. The woman's response of glorifying God highlights the ultimate purpose of divine intervention: to bring honor and praise to the Almighty, inviting all witnesses to acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness.

* [Acts 3:8](/acts/3-8 "Acts 3:8 - The Lame Man Walks and Praises God")
* [Mark 2:12](/mark/2-12 "Mark 2:12 - The Paralytic Healed")
* [Psalm 107:20](/psalms/107-20 "Psalm 107:20 - God Sends His Word and Heals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:13 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today. It reminds us that Jesus is a God who sees our suffering, even when it is hidden or long-standing, and He often takes the initiative to bring healing and liberation. Our afflictions, whether physical ailments, emotional burdens, or spiritual bondages, are not beyond His power to restore. This passage challenges us to bring our needs to Jesus with faith, trusting in His compassionate heart and limitless power, knowing that He desires our wholeness. Furthermore, the woman's immediate response—glorifying God—serves as a powerful model for our own lives. When God intervenes, provides, or delivers, our most fitting response is to offer Him public and heartfelt praise, acknowledging His goodness and pointing others to the source of all blessings. Our testimonies of God's work in our lives become powerful instruments for His glory, inviting others to encounter His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' initiative in healing the woman, even before she asked, challenge my understanding of God's compassion and proactive care for me?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God for "immediate" and complete restoration, rather than settling for gradual improvement or resignation?**
* **How can I cultivate a more consistent and public posture of glorifying God for His interventions in my life, mirroring the woman's response?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus' act of laying hands on the woman significant?**

Answer: Jesus' act of laying His hands on the woman (G2007 `epitíthēmi`) was profoundly significant for several reasons. First, it was a gesture of **compassion and personal connection**, bridging the social distance that might exist between a revered teacher and a marginalized, suffering woman. Second, it was a common and recognized practice for **imparting blessing, authority, or healing** in the biblical tradition, signifying a direct transfer of divine power. By laying His hands on her, Jesus was not merely speaking a word of healing but physically engaging in her restoration, demonstrating His active and tender involvement in her suffering. This personal touch underscored the intimate nature of God's care, contrasting with the impersonal legalism of the religious leaders. It also served as a visible sign of the power of God working through Him, leading to the immediate and undeniable physical transformation described in [Luke 13:13](/luke/13-13 "Luke 13:13 - The Healing of the Bent Woman").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:13, though a singular event of physical healing, profoundly points to the broader Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The woman's eighteen years of being "bent over" (G461 `anorthóō`) symbolizes humanity's fallen state—bowed down by the weight of sin, spiritual infirmity, and the curse of a broken world. Jesus, by laying His hands upon her, demonstrates His divine authority and power not only over physical ailments but, more significantly, over the spiritual forces that oppress humanity. He is the one who comes to "set the captives free" and "bind up the brokenhearted," fulfilling the prophetic declarations of [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is Upon Me"). Her immediate straightening foreshadows the ultimate spiritual straightening and liberation offered through Christ's atoning work on the cross, where He bore the weight of our infirmities and sins ([Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - He Bore Our Griefs")). The woman's spontaneous glorification of God is the appropriate response to the work of Christ, mirroring the eternal worship that will be offered to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")). Thus, this healing serves as a microcosm of the gospel: Jesus' compassionate initiative, His powerful liberation from bondage, and the resulting glory given to God, culminating in the spiritual uprightness and freedom found only in Him ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - If the Son Sets You Free")).

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

Psalms 107:20

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions.

Psalms 107:22

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Mark 16:18

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 5:23

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: [I pray thee], come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Mark 6:5

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].

Psalms 103:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.

Psalms 103:5

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.