Luke 13:16
What does Luke 13:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:16 means
Jesus extends His argument by asking if it was not even more appropriate for this woman, a "daughter of Abraham" (emphasizing her covenantal relationship with God), to be released from her eighteen-year bondage on the Sabbath. He explicitly attributes her infirmity to Satan's binding power. This question highlights the profound spiritual significance of her healing and argues that releasing a human being from such a long-standing evil oppression is a far greater and more essential act than tending to an animal on the Sabbath.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And is it not right for this daughter of Abraham, who has been in the power of Satan for eighteen years, to be made free on the Sabbath?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and this one, being a daughter of Abraham, whom the Adversary bound, lo, eighteen years, did it not behove to be loosed from this bond on the sabbath-day?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And this [woman], who is a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, [these] eighteen years, ought she not to be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Context
Following His exposure of the synagogue ruler's hypocrisy regarding animals in verse 15, Jesus now drives home His point with a powerful rhetorical question about the woman. This verse emphasizes her dignity as a "daughter of Abraham" and reattributes her suffering to Satan, elevating the significance of her deliverance. This argument provides a theological and compassionate justification for His Sabbath healing, further shaming His adversaries and affirming the true purpose of the Sabbath.
v.15But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
v.16This passage
v.17And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Acts 13:26
Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
- Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.
- 2 Timothy 2:26
and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.
- Luke 19:9
And Jesus said unto him, To-day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
- Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
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