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.

LUKE 13:11KJV
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Luke 13:11 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:11 mean?

Luke 13:11 introduces a woman whose disabling condition had lasted eighteen years. The KJV describes her condition as a “spirit of infirmity,” presenting her physical suffering in terms that also connect it with a spirit.

The woman’s bent posture made her unable to straighten herself. Luke places her in the setting of Jesus teaching in a synagogue, a Jewish place of worship and instruction, on the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

The Greek behind Luke 13:11

  • “infirmity” — ἀσθένεια (astheneia): This word carries the sense of weakness or illness. Here it describes the condition associated with the “spirit,” rather than naming a specific disease.
  • “bowed together” — συγκύπτω (synkyptō): This word means to be bent over. It gives a picture of the woman’s posture, not merely a general statement that she was ill.

Why Luke 13:11 matters

  • The length of the woman’s suffering is important to the account. “Eighteen years” prepares the reader to understand the change that follows when Jesus heals her.
  • Luke presents the woman’s condition as both physically disabling and connected with a spirit. Later, Jesus describes her as someone Satan had bound for eighteen years (Luke 13:16).
  • The verse sets up a dispute about healing on the Sabbath. When a synagogue leader objects, Jesus points to the woman’s long suffering in his reply (Luke 13:14–16).

Where else these words appear

“wise” Greek G3838 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

“up” Greek G352 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
  • John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
  • John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

“eighteen” Greek G3638 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
  • Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
  • John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

“infirmity” Greek G769 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.