Luke 13:16 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:16 mean?

Luke 13:16 records Jesus saying that a woman who had suffered for eighteen years, whom he describes as a "daughter of Abraham" bound by Satan, should certainly be freed from her suffering even if it is the Sabbath. Jesus is challenging the idea that healing on the Sabbath is wrong, arguing that compassion and deliverance are more important than strict Sabbath rules.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking in a synagogue to religious leaders who criticized him for healing on the Sabbath. By calling the woman a "daughter of Abraham," Jesus emphasizes her value and belonging to God's people. He points out the injustice of leaving her in bondage simply because of the day, highlighting that God's mercy is not limited by human traditions.

The Greek behind Luke 13:16

• "ought" (δεῖ, dei): This Greek word means "it is necessary" or "it must be." Jesus is not just suggesting but insisting that freeing the woman is the right thing to do, even on the Sabbath.
• "bound" (δέω, deō): This word means "to tie" or "to bind." Jesus describes the woman's suffering as a real captivity, not just a physical ailment, but something oppressive.
• "loosed" (λύω, lyō): This means "to release" or "to untie." The contrast between being "bound" and "loosed" underlines the idea of liberation from suffering.
• "bond" (δεσμός, desmos): This word refers to a chain or shackle. Jesus uses it to show that her condition is like being chained up, making her healing an act of setting a prisoner free.

Why Luke 13:16 matters

• Luke 13:16 clarifies that Jesus sees acts of mercy as not just allowed but necessary, even when religious customs might seem to forbid them.
• The verse highlights Jesus' view of suffering as a form of bondage, and healing as a true release, which reframes physical illness in spiritual and compassionate terms.
• By calling the woman a "daughter of Abraham," Jesus affirms her dignity and place among God's people, challenging any tendency to overlook or devalue those who suffer.