And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
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}.
He put his hands on her, and at once she stood upright and began to glorify God.
Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.
And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
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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.
Commentary on Luke 13:13 (KJV)
This verse describes a powerful moment in Jesus' ministry, immediately following His encounter with a woman who had suffered from a debilitating condition for nearly two decades. It highlights Jesus' divine authority, compassion, and the instantaneous nature of His healing power, culminating in a spontaneous act of worship.
Context
The event detailed in Luke 13:13 takes place in a synagogue on the Sabbath day (Luke 13:10). Jesus was teaching when He noticed a woman who had been bent over and unable to straighten herself for eighteen years, afflicted by what the text describes as a "spirit of infirmity" (Luke 13:11). Without being asked, Jesus called her over, demonstrating His initiative and profound compassion for her long-standing suffering. This act of healing on the Sabbath would later provoke a strong reaction from the ruler of the synagogue, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on the true purpose of the Sabbath.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "made straight" in the King James Version comes from the Greek verb anorthoō (ἀνορθόω), which means "to set up straight again," "to restore," or "to make erect." This term perfectly captures the dramatic physical transformation of the woman who had been severely bent over for eighteen years. Her condition was not just a physical ailment but attributed to a "spirit of infirmity" in Luke 13:11, indicating that Jesus' healing encompassed both her physical body and a spiritual release from bondage.
Practical Application
Luke 13:13 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that Jesus is a God of compassion who sees our suffering, even when others overlook it. His power is not limited by the duration or severity of our afflictions, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. We are encouraged to bring our burdens to Him with faith, knowing that He has the power to bring about complete restoration. Furthermore, the woman's response serves as a powerful example: when God intervenes in our lives, our natural and proper response should be to give Him all the glory, publicly acknowledging His goodness and power. Our praise becomes a testimony that points others to the source of all healing and blessing.