And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus highlights her identity as a "daughter of Abraham" to show that her bond wasn't just physical illness, but a spiritual affliction that defied ordinary means. This designation, not just a lineage claim, underscores her rightful place within God's covenant community, making her suffering and healing a profound statement on the Sabbath itself.
And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just healed a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years on the Sabbath day in a synagogue. The synagogue ruler, offended by this act on the holy day, criticizes Jesus and the crowd. Jesus responds by challenging the man's hypocrisy, comparing the healing of this "daughter of Abraham" to the common practice of untying animals to give them water on the Sabbath.
Jesus doesn't just call her 'a woman.' He calls her 'a daughter of Abraham.' What's the significance of this title, especially when confronting religious leaders?
When Jesus calls this woman a "daughter of Abraham," he’s doing more than just stating her ethnic heritage. In Jewish thought, being a "daughter of Abraham" meant being part of God's covenant people, someone who should rightfully expect God's favor and deliverance.
Think about it: the religious leaders prided themselves on being Abraham's descendants. Yet, they were so focused on their rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law that they missed the very heart of God's covenant – compassion and rescue for His people.
Jesus uses this title to highlight the hypocrisy. This woman, a true descendant in spirit, deserved liberation. Her status as a "daughter of Abraham" meant she should be a recipient of God's blessing, not an object of religious condemnation, especially on the very day meant to celebrate God's covenant faithfulness.
The text says Satan bound her for 18 years. This wasn't just a physical ailment; Jesus frames it as a spiritual attack. What does this tell us about the nature of suffering?
Jesus explicitly names Satan as the source of this woman's affliction: 'whom Satan hath bound.' This isn't just a medical description; it's a spiritual diagnosis.
While we often see physical illnesses as purely biological, Jesus reveals a spiritual dimension. Satan, the enemy, actively seeks to oppress and bind people, causing suffering and hindering their lives. This woman's inability to stand upright for nearly two decades was a direct result of this spiritual bondage.
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Jesus’ power displayed here is not just healing; it’s also deliverance from demonic influence. He came to undo the works of the devil, to loose those held captive. Recognizing this spiritual warfare aspect helps us understand that sometimes our struggles have a spiritual root, and liberation comes through Christ’s authority.
The synagogue ruler was furious that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. But Jesus turns the argument around. What was the Sabbath really for?
The conflict here is stark: the religious leader saw the Sabbath as a day for strict non-activity, a rigid boundary. Jesus, however, saw it as a day for active compassion and liberation.
Jesus’ argument is brilliant: if it’s okay to untie your animal from its stall to give it water on the Sabbath (an act of mercy for a beast), how much more is it fitting to untie a human being from eighteen years of suffering? He points out the absurdity of valuing livestock over people, especially on a day meant to honor God.
This reveals the core purpose of the Sabbath: it was intended to reflect God's own character of mercy and to provide rest and restoration for His people. It was never meant to be a tool of oppression or a barrier to receiving God's goodness. Jesus fulfills the spirit of the Sabbath by bringing freedom and joy.
Understand the original words
thygatēr Abraam · Greek Noun Phrase
A term identifying a female descendant of Abraham, emphasizing her covenantal inclusion in the promises of God despite her physical ailment. In this context, it highlights her rightful place among God's people.
Satanas · Greek Proper Noun
The personal spiritual adversary of God and humanity, recognized as the accuser and tempter. In the New Testament, he is depicted as having limited power to afflict humanity, which is ultimately subject to the authority of Jesus Christ.
lyō · Greek Verb
To set free, release, or untie someone or something from a state of captivity, restraint, or burden. It is frequently used in the Gospels to describe Jesus' authority to liberate people from demonic influence or physical infirmity.
sabbaton · Greek Noun
The seventh day of the week, set apart by God in the Mosaic Law for rest and worship. In the ministry of Jesus, it became a focal point for revealing the heart of God's law regarding mercy, healing, and restorative work.
This event highlights the clash between Jesus' compassionate ministry and the rigid, often unloving, interpretation of Sabbath laws by some religious leaders during the Roman period in Judea.
c. 63 BC - AD 33
Roman Rule in Judea
Judea was under Roman control during Jesus' ministry. This political reality created tension and influenced interactions between Jewish leaders, the populace, and Roman authorities.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and gathering disciples throughout Galilee and Judea, challenging religious norms and authorities.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Teaches in a Synagogue on the Sabbath
During one of his Sabbath teachings in a synagogue, Jesus encounters a woman who has been afflicted for eighteen years.
c. AD 27-30
Healing and Controversy Erupts
Jesus heals the woman, leading to an argument with the synagogue ruler over the permissibility of such healing on the Sabbath.
c. AD 30
Growing Opposition to Jesus
The incident contributes to the increasing hostility of religious leaders towards Jesus, fueling their desire to arrest or discredit him.
This passage also describes Satan directly afflicting a person, highlighting his role as an agent of suffering, similar to how he's described as binding the woman in Luke.
Matthew 12:11-12Jesus uses a similar argument here, asking if it's lawful to save a sheep on the Sabbath, to show that acts of mercy and healing are appropriate for the Sabbath day, just as he does with the woman in Luke.
Galatians 3:29This verse speaks about being Abraham's offspring through faith in Christ, connecting to Luke's description of the woman as a 'daughter of Abraham' and underscoring her spiritual identity within God's covenant people.
1 Peter 5:8This passage warns believers to be alert because their 'adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,' reflecting the understanding of Satan as an active force seeking to harm and bind people, as seen with the woman in Luke.
calvinLuke 13:10-17: "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath."
- And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11. And, lo, a woman who had a spirit of infirmity during eighteen years, and was bent down, and was altogether unable to lift up her head. [279] 12. Whom when Jesus saw, he called her to him, and said to her, Woman, thou art delivered from thine infirmity. 13. And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood upright, and glorified God. 14. And th…
jfbLuke 13:10-17: "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath."
Lu 13:10-17. Woman of Eighteen Year's Infirmity Healed on the Sabbath.
Jesus highlights her identity as a "daughter of Abraham" to show that her bond wasn't just physical illness, but a spiritual affliction that defied ordinary means. This designation, not just a lineage claim, underscores her rightful place within God's covenant community, making her suffering and healing a profound statement on the Sabbath itself.
Jesus has just healed a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years on the Sabbath day in a synagogue. The synagogue ruler, offended by this act on the holy day, criticizes Jesus and the crowd. Jesus responds by challenging the man's hypocrisy, comparing the healing of this "daughter of Abraham" to the common practice of untying animals to give them water on the Sabbath.
Jesus has just healed a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years on the Sabbath day in a synagogue. The synagogue ruler, offended by this act on the holy day, criticizes Jesus and the crowd. Jesus responds by challenging the man's hypocrisy, comparing the healing of this "daughter of Abraham" to the common practice of untying animals to give them water on the Sabbath.
"And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”" — Jesus highlights her identity as a "daughter of Abraham" to show that her bond wasn't just physical illness, but a spiritual affliction that defied ordinary means. This designation, not just a lineag…
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Last reviewed October 2026