Luke 13:10-17
Ordinary C39
10 Now he was teachingA in one of the synagoguesB on the sabbath.C
A “teaching” = didasko. From dao (learn). This is to teach, direct, instruct, or impart knowledge. In the New Testament, this is almost always used for teaching scripture.
B “synagogues” = sunagoge. From sun (with, together with, closely associated) + ago (to lead, bring, carry, guide, go, drive). Literally, this is a bringing together, a place of assembly. The term can be used for the people or for the place where they assemble. It is also sometimes used of Christian churches in the New Testament. So, this is synagogue, assembly, congregation, or church. This is where the word “synagogue” comes from.
C “sabbath” = sabbaton. From Hebrew shabbath (sabbath); from shabath (to rest, stop, repose, cease working; by implication, to celebrate). This is the sabbath. It can also be used as shorthand for a week i.e. the time between two sabbaths.
11 And just thenD there appeared a womanE with a spiritF that had crippledG her for eighteen years.
D “just then” = idou. From eido (to be aware, see, know, remember, appreciate). This is see! Lo! Behold! Look! Used to express surprise and or draw attention to the statement.
E “woman” = gune. Perhaps from ginomai (to come into being, to happen, become, be born; to emerge from one state or condition to another; this is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth). This is woman, wife, or bride. This is where the word “gynecologist” comes from.
F “spirit” = pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breath, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
G “crippled” = astheneia. From asthenes (without strength, sick, deprivation; weak in a moral or physical sense); {From a (not) + sthenes (strong, vigor); {from the base of sthenoo (to strengthen so that one can be mobile); from sthenos (strength)}}. This is weakness, frailty, illness, suffering, or calamity. It is any kind of sickness or injury that includes weakness or diminishes your ability to enjoy or accomplish what you would choose.
She was bent overH and was quite unable to stand upI straight.J
H “bent over” = sugkupto. 1x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + kupto (to stoop, bend forward, bow one’s head); {perhaps from kuma (wave, billow, curve, bend); from kuo (to swell as one pregnant)}. This is to bend forward, stoop, bow down, be overcome.
I “stand up” = anakupto. Related to “bent over” in v11. 4x in NT. From ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + kupto (see note H above). This is to raise up, look up, be elated, unbend.
J “straight” = eis + ho + panteles. Literally “to the full.” Panteles is 2x in NT. From pas (all, every, every kind of) + telos (an end, aim, purpose, completion, end goal, consummation, tax); {from tello (to start out with a definite goal in mind)}. This is complete, perfect, entire, full to the end.
12 When JesusK sawL her, he called her overM and said, “Woman, you are set freeN from your ailment.”O
K “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone). This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
L “saw” = horao. To see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience. Properly, to stare at and so implying clear discernment. This, by extension, would indicate attending to what was seen and learned. This is to see, often with a metaphorical sense. Can include inward spiritual seeing.
M “called…over” = prosphoneo. 7x in NT. From pros (at, to, toward, with) + phoneo (to call out, summon, shout, address; making a sound whether of an animal, a person, or an instrument); from phone (voice, sound, tone or noise; also a language or dialect); probably from phemi to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (to shine) or phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is to call to, address, give a speech, summon, exclaim.
N “set free” = apoluo. From apo (from, away from) + luo (to loose, release, untie; figuratively, to break, destroy, or annul; releasing what had been withheld). This is letting go, setting free, or releasing. So, it can be to discharge, dismiss, divorce, pardon, or set at liberty.
O “ailment” = astheneia. Same as “crippled” in v11. See note G above.
13 When he laidP his handsQ on her, immediately she stood up straightR and began praisingS God.T
P “laid” = epitithemi. From epi (on, upon, what is fitting) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position). This is to lay on or place on, whether in a friendly or aggressive way.
Q “hands” = cheir. This is the hand in a literal sense. Figuratively, the hand is the means a person uses to accomplish things so it can also mean power, means, or instrument.
R “stood up straight” = anorthoo. 3x in NT. From ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + orthoo (to set up, be straight). This is to set up straight, restore, strengthen, lift up.
S “began praising” = doxazo. From doxa (glory, opinion, praise, honor, renown; particularly used as a quality of God or manifestation of God – splendor); from dokeo (to have an opinion, seem, appear, suppose; a personal judgment; to think); from dokos (opinion). This is to render or hold something as glorious, to glorify, honor, magnify, or celebrate. This is ascribing weight to something by recognizing its true value or essence.
T “God” = theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
14 But the leader of the synagogue,U indignantV because Jesus had curedW on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work oughtX to be done;Y come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.”
U “leader of the synagogue” = archisunagogos. Related to “synagogues” in v10. 9x in NT. From archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power) + sunagoge (see note B above). This is a synagogue leader or official. It is one who oversees worship.
V “indignant” = aganakteo. 7x in NT. Perhaps from agan (much) + achthos (grief); {related to agkale (bent arm); from agkos (bend, ache)}. This is being greatly grieved or displeased. Generally translated angry or indignant.
W “cured” = therapeuo. From therapon (servant, attendant, minister); perhaps from theros (properly heat and so used for summer); from thero (to heat). This is to serve, care, attend, heal, or cure. Since it means to attend to, it can be used for doctors, but also for those who serve God. So, it can mean worship. This is where the word “therapy” comes from.
X “ought” = dei. From deo (to tie, bind, compel; declare unlawful). This is what is necessary or proper. It is what is needed or what one should do – a duty or something inevitable. This refers to something absolutely necessary.
Y “work…to be done” = ergazomai. From ergon (work, task, action, employment). This is to work, labor, perform, toil.
15 But the LordZ answered him and said, “You hypocrites!AA Does not each of you on the sabbath untieBB
Z “Lord” = kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
AA “hypocrites” = hupokrites. 18x in NT. From hupokrinomai (to answer, pretend, respond as an actor on stage; figuratively, to lie) {from hupo (by, under, about) + krino (to judge, decide, think good, condemn, determine, pass judgment, stand trial, sue; judging whether in court or in a private setting; properly, mentally separating or distinguishing an issue – to come to a choice or decision, to judge positively or negatively in seeking what is right or wrong, who is innocent or guilty; can imply trying, condemning, punishing, or avenging.)}. This is literally an actor. Figuratively, it is someone playing out a role, which is to say, lying, pretending, or being a hypocrite. This is where the word “hypocrite” comes from.
BB “untie” = luo. Related to “set free” in v12. See note N above.
his oxCC or his donkey from the manger,DD and lead it awayEE to give it water?FF
CC “ox” = bous. 8x in NT. Perhaps from bosko (to feed or pasture a flock; figuratively, to nourish spiritually) This is a cow, ox, or bull.
DD “manger” = phatne. 4x in NT– 3x of Jesus in a manger, 1x Jesus argues “Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to give it water?” in Luke 13:15. May be from pateomai (to eat). This is a manger, which is a feeding trough, or a stall where one feeds cattle.
EE “lead…away” = apago. Related to “synagogues” in v10 & “leader of the synagogue” in v14. 16x in NT. From apo (from, away from) + ago (see note B above). This is to lead away, take away, or bring. Figuratively, it can refer to being led astray or put to death.
FF “give…water” = potizo. 15x in NT. From potos (drink or for drinking) OR from pino (to drink literally or figuratively). This is to give to drink, water, furnish, irrigate, or feed.
16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of AbrahamGG whom SatanHH boundII for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondageJJ on the sabbath day?”
GG “Abraham” = Abraam. From Hebrew Abraham (exalted father); from the same as Abiram (exalted father, a high father – lofty) {from ab (father literal or figurative) + rum (rise, bring up, being high, extol, exalt, haughty; to raise in a literal or figurative sense)}. This is Abraham, father of many nations or father of a multitude.
HH “Satan” = Satanas. From Hebrew satan (adversary, Satan); from satan (to be an adversary, attack, accuse, resist). This is Satan, the adversary, or an adversary.
II “bound” = deo. Related to “ought” in v14. See note X above.
JJ “bondage” = desmos. Related to “ought” in v14 & “bound” in v16. 18x in NT. From deo (see note X above). This is a bond, chain, infirmity, impediment, ligament.
17 When he said this, all his opponentsKK were put to shame;LL and the entire crowd was rejoicingMM at all the wonderful thingsNN that he was doing.OO
KK “opponents” = antikeimai. 8x in NT. From anti (opposite, instead of, against) + keimai (to lie, recline, set, be appointed, be destined). This is to resist, oppose, or withstand. It can also be opposition, adversary, or enemy. This is to lie opposite or place against – being in irreconcilable opposition. Figuratively, it can be repugnant.
LL “put to shame” = kataishuno. 13x in NT. From kata (down, against, according to, among) + aischunomai (to dishonor, put to shame, shrink, disfigure); {from aischos (shame, disgrace, disfigurement)}. This is literally to shame down, which is to say disgrace or implying make someone blush. It can be frustrate, dishonor, confound or shame.
MM “rejoicing” = chairo. From char– (to extend favor, lean towards, be inclined to be favorable towards). This is to rejoice, be glad or cheerful; a greeting. This is the root verb that the Greek word for “grace” comes from (charis).
NN “wonderful things” = endoxos. Related to “began praising” in v13. 4x in NT. From en (in, on, at, by, with, among) + doxa (see note S above). This is held in honor, splendid, glorious, distinguished. It shows dignity or high status/reputation. Figuratively, it can mean noble.
OO “doing” = ginomai. Literally “were being done by him.” Perhaps related to “woman” in v11. See note E above.
Image credit: “Christ Heals the Hunchbacked Woman.” Photo by Sibeaster, 2008.