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.

Luke 13:11 nkjv

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.

Luke 13:11 niv

and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.

Luke 13:11 esv

And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.

Luke 13:11 nlt

he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 11 Meaning

Luke 13:11 describes a woman who had suffered for eighteen years from a severe physical infirmity caused by a "disabling spirit." This spirit caused her to be perpetually bent over, unable to straighten her body fully. The verse sets the stage for Jesus' miraculous healing, highlighting the chronic nature of her suffering and its supernatural origin, contrasting it with common ailments.

Luke 13 11 Context

Luke chapter 13 begins with Jesus challenging his listeners about repentance in light of recent tragedies, emphasizing the need for personal spiritual preparedness (vv. 1-5). He then tells the parable of the barren fig tree, highlighting God's patience but also the expectation of fruit (vv. 6-9). Immediately following these calls for introspection and readiness for God's action, Luke places the account of Jesus healing the bent woman on the Sabbath (vv. 10-17). This provides a living illustration of God's immediate desire to bring deliverance and fruitfulness. The historical context includes the deeply held reverence for the Sabbath, often interpreted with strict prohibitions on work, which healing was sometimes seen as. Jesus' healing on the Sabbath here, within a synagogue setting, directly challenges a legalistic application of the Law that suppressed compassion and hindered God's redemptive work, showing His authority over spiritual forces and human-made traditions.

Luke 13 11 Word analysis

• And behold (Καὶ ἰδοὺ, Kai idou): This phrase serves as an exclamation or attention-grabber, characteristic of Luke's Gospel. It highlights the impending revelation of something significant or extraordinary, drawing the listener into the scene.
• there was a woman (γυνή, gynē): Simply "woman." Luke often foregrounds women in his narrative, emphasizing Jesus' compassion and inclusive ministry toward marginalized groups in society. Her identity is not stated, focusing solely on her condition and need.
• who had had (ἔχουσα, echousa): The participle form implies an ongoing, sustained condition that she "had" or possessed for a long time, indicating a deeply rooted and persistent problem.
• a disabling spirit (πνεῦμα ἀσθενείας, pneuma astheneias): This is a crucial phrase. "Spirit" (πνεῦμα) here denotes a supernatural, evil entity, distinct from a mere medical illness. "Disabling" or "of weakness/infirmity" (ἀσθενείας) describes the effect of this spirit. It explicitly states that her physical condition was not simply an illness, but was caused and maintained by a malevolent spiritual power. This reveals the spiritual dimension of her suffering.
• for eighteen years (ἔτη δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ, etē deka kai oktō): The explicit mention of "eighteen years" underscores the extreme chronic nature and long duration of her suffering. It implies deep-seated pain, a life of continuous affliction, and perhaps a sense of hopelessness. It highlights the profound bondage from which Jesus was about to free her.
• She was bent over (ἦν συνκύπτουσα, ēn synkyptousa): This describes her physical posture – "bent together," "doubled up," "stooped low." It portrays a profound physical deformity and limitation, making it impossible to stand upright. This condition would have caused constant pain and great difficulty in daily life, potentially symbolizing the weight of spiritual oppression.
• and could not fully straighten herself (καὶ μὴ δυναμένη ἀνακῦψαι εἰς τὸ παντελές, kai mē dynamenē anakypsai eis to panteles):
  • and could not (καὶ μὴ δυναμένη, kai mē dynamenē): "And not being able to." This emphasizes her complete physical incapacity and helplessness; she lacked the ability within herself to rectify her condition.
  • straighten herself (ἀνακῦψαι, anakypsai): To "look up," "raise her head," "stand erect." It is the direct opposite of being bent over. This denotes release, restoration of dignity, and the ability to look heavenward.
  • fully (εἰς τὸ παντελές, eis to panteles): This adverbial phrase intensifies the preceding verb, meaning "completely," "altogether," "at all." It underscores that she was entirely incapacitated; she could not straighten herself at all or in any way, highlighting the absolute nature of her bondage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And behold, there was a woman": This introductory phrase immediately focuses attention on a specific individual, typical of Luke's emphasis on marginalized persons, particularly women, whose suffering Jesus keenly observed and addressed. It's a prelude to a significant event.
• "who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years": This crucial phrase attributes her physical malady directly to a "spirit." It signifies that her affliction was not merely a physical illness but had a supernatural, demonic origin, resulting in profound "disability" and persistent suffering that had lasted for a remarkably long period. This spiritual bondage kept her from full life.
• "She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself": This describes the visible, agonizing physical manifestation of her bondage. Her inability to straighten up highlights a loss of dignity, constant physical burden, and being unable to look up or connect with others freely. It represents her state of being profoundly "bound" both physically and spiritually.

Luke 13 11 Bonus section

• The term "spirit of infirmity" indicates a direct demonic cause for the physical ailment, a concept often recognized in the New Testament but sometimes distinguished from general sickness. Jesus deals directly with the spirit, not just the symptom, illustrating that not all sickness is "just sickness."
• Luke frequently records Jesus healing those who have been oppressed for long durations (e.g., the woman with a flow of blood for twelve years in Lk 8:43). This highlights Jesus' deep compassion for prolonged suffering and His unique ability to bring relief where conventional means have failed.
• Being "bent over" can be seen as a visual metaphor for being burdened, humbled, oppressed, or unable to see or look up. Her physical liberation by Jesus directly symbolizes the spiritual liberation from the heavy yokes of sin and spiritual bondage.
• This narrative subtly addresses common ancient beliefs that attributed various illnesses to spiritual causes, sometimes demonic. Jesus' actions confirm this spiritual dimension and powerfully demonstrate His supreme authority over all such forces.
• The fact that she was healed in the synagogue underscores that God's power is present even in sacred spaces and that His desire for deliverance is universal, not limited by location or day of the week.

Luke 13 11 Commentary

Luke 13:11 offers a poignant portrayal of human suffering with a profound spiritual root. The woman's eighteen years of being bent over by a "disabling spirit" encapsulates chronic pain, social isolation, and the weight of prolonged spiritual oppression. This condition was not simply an ailment; it was active bondage imposed by an unseen evil force, profoundly affecting her physical posture and quality of life. Her inability to "fully straighten herself" signifies not only a physical deformity but perhaps also a spiritual metaphor—she was prevented from looking heavenward, from standing tall in God's presence, and from living a life of dignity. Jesus' encounter with her on the Sabbath within the synagogue is pivotal. His subsequent act of healing is a powerful demonstration of His authority over spiritual forces of darkness and His compassionate desire to liberate those bound by them, regardless of human-made legalistic restrictions on the Sabbath. It reveals God's priority for human flourishing and freedom over rigid adherence to law. This woman represents humanity's need for release from spiritual oppression, often manifested in physical or emotional suffering, and the complete liberation only Jesus can provide.