Luke 13:11Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up.
The setting
A synagogue in first-century Palestine. Among the worshippers sits a woman whose spine is so curved she can only see feet and floor...
The emotion here: compassionate documentation of human suffering
The original word
synkyptō (συγκύπτω) — completely bent together, doubled over, cannot lift oneself up
Why it matters
Women sat separately in synagogues, making her condition even more isolating
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 13:11
Eighteen years means this started when she was probably young — half a lifetime of suffering
Common misconceptionPeople assume this was just physical, but Luke specifically mentions a 'spirit of infirmity' — it was likely both physical and spiritual bondage.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 13:11
Bible Genome reading
Luke 13:11 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 13:11 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. The setting is the Temple. These words are attributed to Luke. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include suffering, disability. Notable phrases: spirit of infirmity; eighteen years; bent over.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Luke 13:11 mean to you, today?
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