Devine Scripture

Luke 13:11

What does Luke 13:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 13:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 13:11 means

Present in the synagogue was a woman who had suffered for eighteen years from a debilitating spirit of infirmity. This affliction had caused her to be severely stooped over, making it impossible for her to stand upright. The duration and severity of her condition emphasize her long-term suffering and helplessness, making her an object of profound compassion and demonstrating the pervasive power of evil in the world.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was a woman who had had a disease for eighteen years; she was bent, and was not able to make herself straight.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and lo, there was a woman having a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bowed together, and not able to bend back at all,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. And she was bowed together: neither could she look upwards at all.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And lo, [there was] a woman having a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent together and wholly unable to lift her head up.

Context

This verse introduces the subject of Jesus' next miraculous act, immediately after establishing the setting of the synagogue on the Sabbath. The description of the woman's debilitating condition highlights her great need and suffering, creating a poignant contrast with the religious setting. Her long-standing infirmity makes her healing a powerful demonstration of Jesus' authority and compassion, which will challenge the religious leaders' priorities.

v.10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.

v.11This passage

v.12And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 146:8

    Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous;

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?

  • Acts 3:2

    And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

  • Psalms 145:14

    Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.

  • Luke 8:27

    And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs.

  • Job 2:7

    So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

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