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Jesus: Healing a Crippled Woman

      The next event is told only in Luke and takes place much later, when Jesus and his disciples are apparently on their way to Jerusalem. He was again in a synagogue teaching on the Sabbath and encountered a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17). Jesus healed her with a word and a touch.

      This time it is the synagogue ruler who protests. He lectures the people that they should come and be healed on the other days, as if being healed was a form of regular work. Jesus is disgusted with his attitude, and points out that even his opponents water their animals on the Sabbath (which is not work but relief). It is perfectly appropriate that the woman should be relieved of her injury on the Sabbath.

      Here again Jesus' actions are consistent with the intention of Torah. It is only the stubbornness and misunderstanding of his opponents that makes it seem otherwise.

Jesus at a Pharisee's House