Luke 13:13 kjv

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

Luke 13:13 nkjv

And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Luke 13:13 niv

Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Luke 13:13 esv

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

Luke 13:13 nlt

Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 13 Meaning

Luke 13:13 describes the moment Jesus performs a miraculous healing on a woman suffering for eighteen years. By the simple act of laying hands on her, Jesus instantly straightened her stooped body, leading her to immediately glorify God. The verse highlights Jesus' divine authority over sickness and spiritual oppression, His compassion, and the immediate, powerful impact of His touch, culminating in a spontaneous response of worship from the healed individual.

Luke 13 13 Context

Luke 13:13 is embedded within an account of Jesus healing a woman in a synagogue on the Sabbath (Lk 13:10-17). Prior to this verse, Jesus has entered a synagogue to teach (Lk 13:10). He observes a woman who has been suffering for eighteen years, bowed over by what is described as a "spirit of infirmity" (Lk 13:11). Notably, Jesus initiates the encounter; He sees her, calls her to Him, and speaks a declaration of liberation ("Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity" - Lk 13:12) before physically touching her.

The healing on the Sabbath immediately sets up a conflict with the synagogue leader (Lk 13:14), who rebukes the crowd for coming to be healed on the Sabbath, indirectly challenging Jesus. Jesus then defends His actions, emphasizing the compassion shown to a "daughter of Abraham" and contrasting His act of liberation with the synagogue leader's concern for animals being untied on the Sabbath (Lk 13:15-16). This episode underscores Jesus' authority over both physical ailments and demonic oppression, His radical compassion, and His lordship over the Sabbath law, prioritizing human well-being and liberation over rigid legalistic interpretations.

Luke 13 13 Word analysis

• And He laid hands on her:

  • Greek: kai epethēken tas cheiras autēs (καὶ ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῆς).
  • He laid hands: The action of laying on hands (ἔθηκεν - ethen, from tithēmi, meaning to place, put; χεῖρας - cheiras, hands) is a significant practice throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it was associated with blessing (Gen 48:14), consecration (Num 27:18), and transferring responsibility. In the New Testament, Jesus often used physical touch for healing (Mk 6:5; Lk 4:40) and transferring authority or the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17; Acts 19:6). This direct, personal physical contact underscores Jesus' active compassion and divine power in ministering to the sick and oppressed. It also conveys the intimacy of the healing encounter.
  • on her: Jesus directs His power specifically to this suffering individual, a woman overlooked and isolated by her prolonged affliction. His attention and touch signify her value and God's personal care for the afflicted.

• and immediately:

  • Greek: kai parachrēma (καὶ παραχρῆμα).
  • This adverb emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the healing. It highlights the divine, unhindered power of Jesus' act. The healing was not gradual or partial, but complete and at once. This term often appears in Luke's Gospel to denote swift and decisive action from God (e.g., Lk 1:64; Lk 8:44). It points to the efficacy and immediacy of God's Word and power.

• she was made straight,:

  • Greek: anōrthōthē (ἀνωρθώθη).
  • This verb, in the passive voice, means "she was straightened up," "she was made erect," or "restored to an upright position." The condition of being "bowed over" (Lk 13:11) suggests a chronic, debilitating posture that rendered her unable to look up or move freely. The healing brings complete physical restoration, enabling her to stand upright, symbolically liberated from her physical and perhaps spiritual bondage. It echoes the prophecy of the Lord raising those who are bowed down (Ps 146:8).

• and glorified God:

  • Greek: kai edoxazen ton Theon (καὶ ἐδόξαζεν τὸν Θεόν).
  • glorified: The verb edoxazen is imperfect tense, suggesting a continuous or prolonged act of praise and honor given to God. It indicates a spontaneous, deeply heartfelt expression of worship and gratitude stemming from her miraculous liberation.
  • God: Her praise is directed specifically to God, acknowledging that the miraculous healing was not merely from a human but through divine power at work in Jesus. This response of glorifying God is common in Luke's Gospel following powerful divine interventions (Lk 5:26; Lk 7:16; Lk 17:15; Acts 4:21) and serves as a natural and fitting reaction to experiencing God's profound goodness and power.

Luke 13 13 Bonus section

• Active Compassion: Jesus actively saw her, called her, and touched her, demonstrating a proactive compassion that initiated the healing encounter rather than waiting to be approached, which was common for the sick seeking healing. This underscores the seeking nature of Christ's love for those in bondage.
• Bondage to Liberty: The woman’s condition is framed as "bound" by a spirit of infirmity (Lk 13:16). Her "making straight" is not just a physical recovery but a powerful symbol of liberation from spiritual and physical oppression, a central theme in Luke’s depiction of Jesus’ ministry (Lk 4:18-19).
• Jesus' Priority of Persons: This miracle and the ensuing debate clearly articulate Jesus' theological priority: the well-being and liberation of individuals (even on the Sabbath) are far more significant than adherence to human-made interpretations of the Law. His argument comparing a bound animal to a "daughter of Abraham" is poignant.
• The Power of Divine Word and Touch: While Jesus declared her free in Lk 13:12, the physical touch in Lk 13:13 consummates the healing. This suggests a synergy in Jesus' ministry between authoritative declaration and intimate physical presence as channels of God's power.

Luke 13 13 Commentary

Luke 13:13 serves as a pivotal point in the Sabbath healing narrative. Following Jesus' prior declaration of her release (Lk 13:12), His physical touch ("laid hands on her") manifests that release tangibly. This act is not just a gesture; it is an conduit for divine power, signifying authority over sickness, described as a "spirit of infirmity" (Lk 13:11), implying a supernatural origin to her chronic suffering. The instantaneous result ("immediately she was made straight") powerfully demonstrates Jesus' omnipotence, showcasing a complete and perfect restoration that defied natural medical expectations after eighteen years of affliction. This immediate transformation contrasts sharply with the synagogue leader's subsequent slow, legalistic reaction (Lk 13:14). The woman's immediate response to being healed – "glorified God" – is the fitting and spiritual outcome of experiencing God's tangible mercy and power. Her worship highlights that the purpose of Christ's miracles is not just physical well-being but the spiritual revelation of God's saving power and glory, leading hearts to Him. This passage underscores Jesus' compassion, His challenge to rigid religiosity, and His identity as the liberator and restorer.

• Practical Example:
  • A person battling a long-term addiction finds freedom through prayer and intervention, feeling a sudden lift of the burden, and immediately dedicates their life to serving God out of gratitude.
  • Someone carrying the heavy weight of grief for years experiences an unexplainable peace and finds themselves able to express profound thankfulness for comfort, acknowledging divine intervention.