Luke 13:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

NIV: When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

NASB: And as He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.

CSB: When he had said these things, all his adversaries were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he was doing.

NLT: This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

KJV: And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

NKJV: And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

When the synagogue leader invited Jesus to speak on the Sabbath, he probably didn't think his credibility was at risk. While Jesus taught, He saw a woman who had been oppressed and crippled by a demon. Jesus called her forward and healed her. The religious leaders were horrified that Jesus dared to work on the Sabbath. He pointed out their hypocrisy. Any one of them would have led their ox or donkey to fresh water on the Sabbath. Why shouldn't He provide the greatest rest this woman could hope for on earth—deliverance and healing? The Sabbath is the perfect day to free a daughter of Abraham from her bondage to the enemy (Luke 13:10–16).

We typically take this event as further proof that the Sabbath regulations do not apply to God-followers in the church age. For certain, they don't; the Sabbath is the only one of the Ten Commandments that is not repeated in the New Testament. But that's not the reason Luke recorded this story in this place.

Luke is explaining what the kingdom of God is like. It includes urgency, as no one knows when it will be too late to repent and reconcile with God (Luke 13:1–5). It is a time of grace, as Jesus stands in the gap between us and judgment—even, perhaps, negotiating for more time (Luke 13:6–9). Once it starts, it is wildly inevitable and pervasive (Luke 13:20–21).

It also inevitably brings separation. It will separate family members from one another (Luke 12:51–53) and people from the religious leaders they have trusted but who abuse them (Luke 11:37–46). Jesus warns His listeners to be careful to interpret the signs of the coming kingdom (Luke 12:54–56); judgment is near (Luke 12:49–50).

Luke 13:10–17 begins the next section (Luke 13:10–35) with a Sabbath miracle. The section continues with teaching about salvation and the kingdom of God—a pattern mirrored in Luke 14:1—15:32. While teaching in the synagogue, Jesus sees and heals a woman oppressed by a crippling demon. The synagogue leader turns on the people seeking healing. Jesus points out that anyone there would help their animal on the Sabbath; why can't He help a daughter of Abraham? The Gospels contain many accounts of Jesus healing on the Sabbath, but this one is unique to Luke.

Jesus uses real-world examples to show that tragedy and death can come to anyone, even the righteous. No one should delay in reconciling to God; time is running out. Jesus heals a woman in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, triggering an angry response. Jesus scolds the synagogue leader, then preaches about the inevitable spread of the gospel around the entire world. However, He also notes that most people will reject this message, including the people of Israel.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." The segment describes how Jesus prepared the disciples for their future as He approached His own death and resurrection. Interspersed are a few altercations with religious leaders. There are calls for the crowd to repent of their sins and reconcile with God before it's too late. In Luke 13, two stories in particular reveal Jesus' heart. In one, He heals a long-suffering woman on the Sabbath; healing is a type of rest. In the last, He mourns the fact that, for now, the Jews as a nation will reject their Messiah.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.