A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath
August 2, 2022
Commentary
Jesus went to the synagogue to teach on the Sabbath day, which was Saturday (v. 10). On this occasion there was a woman present who had been crippled for 18 years, and who, like Job, was physically afflicted by Satan (vv. 11-12). This does not mean that all sickness is caused by Satan, so we must not blame everything on him (Matt 6:17-19). Jesus heals this woman but is severely criticized by the ruler of the synagogue for doing it on the Sabbath. He accused Jesus of breaking the rules of the Sabbath (vv. 13-14). The religious leader saw healing as part of a doctor’s profession, and practicing one’s profession on the Sabbath was prohibited.
The religious leaders were constantly trying to convict Him of breaking the Sabbath restrictions with such miraculous works. Jesus rebuked the ruler and reminded him that he treated his animals far better than he treated this poor woman (v.15-16)). Jesus was saying that the Sabbath was not intended to prevent works of necessity or mercy. Any tradition that keeps us from helping others is not from God. In fact, it is very easy to use tradition as an excuse for not caring for others.
The total hypocrisy and foolish thinking of the religious leaders were obvious. As a result, Jesus’ opponents were humiliated while His admirers were amazed and rejoiced (v. 17).
Application
I must never think that I am better than someone else because I worship God on a certain day of the week. The important thing is that I take time to worship Him.
Luke 13:10– 17 (NET)
10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, 11 and a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten herself up completely. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” 13 Then he placed his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. 14 But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days on which work should be done! So come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from its stall, and lead it to water? 16 Then shouldn’t this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be released from this imprisonment on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said this all his adversaries were humiliated, but the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things he was doing.