Luke 13:16 kjv

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 13:16 nkjv

So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound?think of it?for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"

Luke 13:16 niv

Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

Luke 13:16 esv

And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

Luke 13:16 nlt

This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn't it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?"

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 16 Meaning

Luke 13:16 is Jesus' forceful rhetorical question to the synagogue ruler, defending His compassionate healing of a suffering woman on the Sabbath. It challenges the ruler's severe legalism and hypocrisy by comparing the care given to animals with the much greater need for a human being, specifically a "daughter of Abraham" bound by Satan for eighteen years, to be freed from her affliction on the sacred day. The verse underscores Jesus' authority over both disease and spiritual forces, asserting that the Sabbath's true purpose is to bring liberty and healing, reflecting God's love and desire for humanity's well-being and freedom.

Luke 13 16 Context

Luke chapter 13 begins with Jesus calling people to repentance in light of tragic events and warns against spiritual barrenness through the parable of the barren fig tree. The verse in question immediately follows Jesus' healing of a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years (Lk 13:10-13) in a synagogue on the Sabbath. This miraculous act provoked the outrage of the synagogue ruler, who rebuked the crowd for seeking healing on the Sabbath (Lk 13:14). Jesus, in Luke 13:15, counters the ruler's legalism with an analogy to watering one's own animal on the Sabbath, and verse 16 builds on this by stating the overwhelming necessity of this specific healing. The historical context involves the Jewish people's meticulous observance of the Sabbath, enshrined in the Law (Ex 20:8-11), which had become burdened by numerous rabbinic interpretations that, while intended to protect the Law, often overshadowed its merciful spirit and its design for human well-being. Jesus consistently challenged these man-made additions, demonstrating that the Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath, and that acts of compassion and healing align perfectly with its divine purpose.

Luke 13 16 Word analysis

• And ought not (οὐκ ἔδει - ouk edei): This emphatic phrase introduces a rhetorical question demanding an affirmative answer. Edei denotes a moral or logical necessity, implying, "Is it not supremely fitting and right?" Jesus exposes the moral bankruptcy of the ruler's stance.
• this woman (ταύτην τὴν γυναικᾰ - tautēn tēn gynaika): By pointing specifically to "this woman," Jesus emphasizes her personal, concrete suffering, humanizing the theological debate and directly contrasting it with the impersonal "ox or donkey" used in His prior argument.
• being a daughter of Abraham (θυγατέρα Ἀβραάμ - thygatera Abraam): This is a powerful appeal to the woman's covenantal identity and dignity.
  • Identity: It acknowledges her as a full member of the covenant people of Israel, heir to God's promises.
  • Worth: It elevates her status, implying she holds far greater value than an animal, and therefore has a more significant claim to liberation and care on the Sabbath.
  • Challenge: Jesus uses the very terms of Jewish heritage that the ruler supposedly valued to highlight his misapplication of the Law.
• whom Satan has bound (ἣν ἔδησεν ὁ Σατανᾶς - hēn edēsen ho Satanas):
  • Causation: Directly attributes her chronic affliction (referred to in Lk 13:11 as a "spirit of infirmity") to the oppressive power of Satan. Edēsen ("has bound/tied") presents her condition as a direct spiritual bondage.
  • Adversary: Clearly identifies the adversary, portraying the healing not just as a medical miracle but a direct act of liberation from the kingdom of darkness by Jesus' divine authority.
• think of it (ἰδοὺ - idou): An interjection meaning "behold!" or "look!". It functions as a powerful command to pay attention, emphasizing the extraordinary duration and severity of her suffering. It urges the listener to grasp the depth of the injustice and the urgency of her need.
• for eighteen years (δέκα ὀκτὼ ἔτη - deka oktō etē): The extended duration underscores the profound, persistent nature of her suffering and the profound relief brought by immediate healing. This prolonged affliction makes the ruler's legalistic objection even more callous.
• be loosed from this bond (λυθῆναι ἀπὸ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τούτου - lythēnai apo tou desmos toutou):
  • Liberation: Lythēnai ("to be loosed/untied/released") directly contrasts with edēsen ("has bound"). It portrays her healing as an undoing of the chains Satan had placed upon her.
  • Physical & Spiritual: "Bond" (desmou) refers both to the physical restriction and the spiritual imprisonment caused by Satan. Jesus frees her from both.
• on the Sabbath day (τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ σαββάτου - tē hēmerā tou sabbatou):
  • Core of Contention: This specific timing is central to the entire debate. Jesus' deliberate choice to heal on the Sabbath confronts the rigid interpretations head-on.
  • Purpose Redefined: Jesus demonstrates that the Sabbath is not a day to prohibit acts of mercy and liberation, but rather to affirm God's benevolent and restorative nature, actively working for humanity's freedom and flourishing.

Luke 13 16 Commentary

Luke 13:16 powerfully illustrates Jesus' mission and authority. It’s more than a simple healing; it’s a direct challenge to a religious system that prioritized meticulous legal observance over the intrinsic value of human life and compassion. Jesus masterfully employs a "much more" argument: if it's permissible to perform routine tasks like watering animals on the Sabbath, how much more imperative is it to free a human being—a "daughter of Abraham," signifying her sacred worth and covenant identity—from an eighteen-year bondage inflicted by Satan? This reveals that her ailment was not merely a physical malady but a spiritual oppression, showcasing Jesus’ triumph over both physical suffering and the forces of evil. By declaring her release "ought not" be delayed, Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath, in its divine intent, is a day for restoration, liberation, and displaying God’s merciful nature. The verse stands as a poignant reminder that genuine faith always prioritizes active love, compassion, and the alleviation of suffering over rigid adherence to man-made rules or interpretations, embodying the true spirit of God's law.

Bonus SectionThe eighteen years of suffering mentioned here, combined with the attribution of it to Satan's binding, paints a picture of prolonged, relentless oppression from which the woman had no escape. This duration makes Jesus' act not just a miracle, but an overdue act of divine justice and liberation. Jesus' consistent defiance of the prevailing Sabbath laws surrounding healing was not an arbitrary rejection of God's commands, but a radical reinterpretation that highlighted God's primary concern for human well-being and His active desire to reverse the effects of the Fall, which includes sickness and spiritual bondage. His repeated actions reveal that mercy and righteousness are inseparable, and true piety aligns with the heart of God, which actively seeks to free the oppressed.