Jesus Heals a Bent-Over Woman
"You are set free"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
One Sabbath, Jesus saw a woman in the synagogue who had been bent over for eighteen years and could not stand up straight. He called her over, said, "Woman, you are set free from your disability," and put his hands on her, and she stood up straight and praised God. When the synagogue leader complained about healing on the Sabbath, Jesus said that if they untie their animals on the Sabbath, this daughter of Abraham should surely be set free, and the crowd rejoiced.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 13:10-17
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
- A woman: She has been bent over for eighteen years. She can't stand up straight.
- The synagogue leader: The man in charge of the synagogue. He is upset.
- The crowd: People at the synagogue on the Sabbath.
Setting
- A synagogue, a meeting place where Jewish people gathered to pray and hear Scripture.
When
- One Sabbath, about 2,000 years ago, while Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem.
Before the Story
The Sabbath was God's day of rest. On the seventh day, no one was to work (Exodus 20:8-10).
Jesus had healed on the Sabbath before. He healed a man with a withered hand, and leaders started plotting against him (6:6-11).
Jesus had just told a parable about a fig tree. The owner wanted to cut it down, but the gardener asked for one more year (13:6-9).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eighteen years | 13:10-11 | A woman can't stand up straight |
| 2. Set free | 13:12-13 | Jesus heals her |
| 3. "Come on the other days" | 13:14 | The synagogue leader is angry |
| 4. A daughter of Abraham | 13:15-17 | Jesus answers, and the crowd rejoices |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Eighteen Years
One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue.
A woman there had been bent over for eighteen years. She couldn't stand up straight at all.
Luke says a spirit had crippled her.
Scene 2 of 4Set Free
When Jesus saw her, he called her over.
"Woman, you are set free from your disability" (13:12).
He put his hands on her. Right away, she stood up straight.
She began to praise God.
Scene 3 of 4"Come on the Other Days"
But the synagogue leader was angry, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath.
He didn't speak to Jesus. He spoke to the crowd.
"There are six days for work," he told the crowd. "So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath" (13:14).
Scene 4 of 4A Daughter of Abraham
"You hypocrites!" the Lord replied (13:15). A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another.
Jesus reminded them that they untie their ox or donkey on the Sabbath and lead it to water.
"Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?" (13:16).
"Daughter of Abraham" means she belonged to God's people, an heir of God's promise.
Jesus's opponents were ashamed. "And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing" (13:17).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Eighteen years" (13:11) | She had suffered a very long time. |
| "When Jesus saw her, He called her over" (13:12) | She didn't ask. Jesus noticed her. |
| "You are set free" (13:12) | Jesus brought freedom, not just healing. |
| "Come and be healed on those days" (13:14) | The leader cared more about the rule than the woman. |
| "This daughter of Abraham" (13:16) | She was precious, a full member of God's people. |
| "The whole crowd rejoiced" (13:17) | Ordinary people saw how good this was. |
Back Then
God's law allowed caring for animals on the Sabbath. Teachers agreed that animals could be untied and led to water.
"Daughter of Abraham" was a rare title. "Son of Abraham" was common. Calling a woman this honored her.
Women often stood apart in synagogues. Jesus called her into the middle, where everyone could see.
Literal Reader Alert
Is every illness caused by an evil spirit? No. Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14), and he tells many healing stories with no spirit involved. Most illness has ordinary causes. Doctors and medicine are good gifts.
If someone has a disability, did they do something wrong? No. Jesus never blamed this woman. He called her a daughter of Abraham.
Should we work on Sundays? Christians have different ideas about this. Jesus's point is that doing good, like helping someone in need, is always right.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The woman | Burdened | She had been bent over for eighteen years (13:11) |
| The woman | Thankful | She praised God (13:13) |
| The leader | Indignant | Jesus healed on the Sabbath (13:14) |
| The crowd | Joyful | They rejoiced at what Jesus did (13:17) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What weighs you down? Tap one.
Something old
She waited eighteen years. Jesus still sees you.
I feel unseen
She was at the back. Jesus noticed her and called her over.
Rules over people
Jesus put people first. You can too.
I'm thankful
She stood up and praised God. You can praise him too.
You Might Have Heard
"God only notices important people."
What's true: God knows everyone, including leaders and important people.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus noticed a woman bent over at the back of the synagogue. He called her forward, set her free, and called her a daughter of Abraham in front of everyone.
Where Jesus is: In a synagogue on the day of rest, setting someone free who had waited eighteen years.
Good News
For eighteen years, she couldn't look up. Then Jesus called her name.
"Woman, you are set free from your disability" (13:12).
Jesus sees people the world overlooks. He sets people free. The day of rest became a day of freedom.
Jesus saw a woman no one noticed and set her free. He calls you a beloved child of God.
Big Idea
Jesus saw a woman bent over for eighteen years, called her over, and set her free. He sees people the world overlooks.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that Christ came to free us from everything that binds us: sin, death, and the devil. In the Small Catechism, he wrote that Jesus redeemed us, freeing us so that we may belong to him.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads Luke 13:10-17 in late August (Lectionary 21).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Woman, you are set free from your disability.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Heals a Bent-Over Woman.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 21 Year CGospel, Luke 13:10–17
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Heals a Bent-Over Woman, explained in plain words. For eighteen years she couldn't stand up straight. Jesus calls her over. About 7 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-heals-a-bent-over-woman/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church