Luke describes a woman who had been severely bent over for eighteen years and was unable to straighten herself. Jesus heals her in a synagogue and later describes her as a 'daughter of Abraham.'
Jesus in Context
The Bent Woman: A Daughter of Abraham
Jesus heals a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years and identifies her as a daughter of Abraham.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
Calling the woman a daughter of Abraham identifies her explicitly within the covenant people of Israel. The expression gives social and religious significance to a woman whose long physical affliction might otherwise have defined how others regarded her.
Why It Matters
Jesus' description places the woman's identity as a daughter of Abraham alongside the controversy over her healing. Her long disability does not exclude her from the dignity and identity associated with belonging to Abraham's people.