Luke 13:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The work accomplished on the Sabbath foreshadows the coming age, for those who achieve fullness in both law and grace will be liberated from the burdens of mortal existence through Christ’s mercy. Detachment from earthly matters prepared the way for spiritual obedience and future sanctification, as indicated in the sign through Moses. And God rested from all His creative work. Yet His rest is not from all activity, for His work is eternal and continuous, as the Son declared, “My Father works until now, and I work” (John 5:17). Thus, we, in imitation of God, cease our worldly labors but not our acts of devotion to Him.

The Psalmist aptly describes this affliction of humanity: "suffered and slumbered to the end" (Psalm 37:7). For when he reflects on humanity's creation for the contemplation of the Supreme Light, he recognizes that due to sin, one is exiled and carries darkness in the soul, desiring the base rather than the heavenly. He becomes distressed upon observing this in humanity and laments, “I have suffered and slumbered to the end.”

For one who becomes consumed by earthly matters suffers and is troubled, but not entirely to the brink of despair. On the other hand, he who is diverted not just by necessity but also indulgent pleasures suffers deeply, bruised to the end. Thus, another prophet speaks of unclean spirits, “and whoever recovers your soul, bow down, yes minem” (Is. 51:23). The soul stands upright when it seeks after the things above and does not succumb to the things below. Yet, evil spirits, witnessing its uprightness, cannot encroach upon it, as their crossing is to instill impure longings. Hence, they utter, “Bow down, da minem;” for if the soul does not lower itself to transient desires, their malice loses its grip. Therefore, dear brethren, do we not invite evil spirits into ourselves when we passionately pursue earthly desires, bending to temporal cravings? It is indeed shameful to fervently desire worldly matters, setting ourselves up for enemies to invade our souls. He who gazes at the earth is bent over; he who seeks the lowest does not remember the great price at which he has been redeemed. This is why it is stated through Moses that a hunchback shall never serve as a priest (Lev. 21:20). Those redeemed by the blood of Christ are made part of the same high priesthood. Thus, through Peter, it is proclaimed, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9). Yet, he who is bent exclusively looks downward, stripped of priesthood, for one solely devoted to earthly matters bears witness against themselves of not being a member of the High Priesthood.

Furthermore, the faithful are forbidden to eat fish lacking scales (Lev. 11:10). The fish that possess scales commonly leap over the water. So, what do the winged fish represent if not the elect souls? They only truly belong to the Church of Heaven when resting upon the feathers of virtues, enabling them to leap towards the heavenly by their yearning for the Highest in contemplation, though they must return again due to the mortal body. Therefore, since we faithfully recognize the gifts of our heavenly homeland, beloved brethren, let us not despair in our sorrow. Picture a grieving woman and a barren fig tree. Let us recall the sins we have committed and fertilize the roots of our hearts with true repentance, transforming our coldness into the fruitful bounty of redemption. Even if we cannot fully embody all virtues, God finds pleasure in our heartfelt lamentation. He offers us His favor at the dawn of justice, chastising the unrighteous deeds we have done. Let there be no delay in our tears, for the joys that endure will wash away the transient sorrows through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for all eternity. Amen.

Furthermore, by saying, “You are released from your affliction,” He also laid His holy hands upon her, demonstrating both the omnipotent authority of His words and the miraculous grace of His divine hand. Additionally, we see the woman, now free from Satan’s grip, praising and glorifying God, her benefactor and Lord.

The Lord challenged the misguided reverence of the synagogue leader by questioning whether any of them would not untie their ox or donkey from the trough to give it water on the Sabbath. Observing in the crowd, albeit hesitantly, a nascent willingness essential for His kingdom, He illustrated to His disciples through parables that this seemingly insignificant seed, if planted in the ground, would yield a great tree, offering refuge to all the birds of the sky. In another parable, He conveyed a similar message using the metaphor of leaven, which, though small, can influence a large quantity of flour. Thus, from a humble gathering of such individuals, the kingdom of God shall expand across the entire earth.

Although the synagogue ruler was furious, he refrained from confronting Jesus directly, feeling inadequately equipped to justify his position in dialogue with Him. Instead, he directed his admonition toward the congregation, ensuring his words were audible to Christ. The Lord, however, did not let this charge go unaddressed: “Hypocrite!” he exclaimed, “Does not each of you untie his ox or donkey from the manger on the Sabbath and lead it to drink? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, ought she not to be set free from her bondage on the Sabbath day?”

He pointed out to His audience that if they could undertake necessary tasks, like untying an ox or donkey to lead it to water, then they certainly should assist their neighbors and alleviate their suffering at any time, including the Sabbath (for His teachings on healing on the Sabbath, refer to Matthew 12). Regarding the afflicted woman, Jesus stated that she had been bound by Satan for eighteen long years. Interpretations of this statement vary. Bishop Michael suggests that the woman was not possessed by a demon in the strictest sense; rather, her affliction was a result of an unclean spirit's influence. This perspective is also supported by the blessed Theophylact. Conversely, others posit that she was ensnared by the chains of her sinful and morally flawed life, from which her condition arose, and since such sins are attributed to the work of Satan, Jesus's comments should be understood in that context.

The plight of a man who is crippled and unable to stand or look upward is tragic, resembling that of a beast rather than a human. Equally lamentable is the condition of a soul that, burdened by sin, mirrors that cattle-like existence, driven only by basic needs: eating, drinking, sleeping, moving, and procreating. Some individuals live without recognizing their humanity, reduced to mere satisfaction of sensual desires—feeding the body, sleeping, engaging in worldly distractions, often not innocent in nature.

It can be said that those who live in such a manner might be even more pitiable than cattle, for while cattle instinctively know their limits—ceasing to eat when full or refraining from procreation at certain times—humans often indulge beyond necessity, seeking mere gratification. A soul that has succumbed to such degradation, whether from lack of willpower or a misguided belief that humans are little different from animals, fails to grasp the reality of its own humiliation.

These carnal individuals, who self-forget and shun the divine, should not allow this malign force to dominate them completely. They must seek to break free from these chains, recalling that they were created for a higher purpose beyond earthly pleasures. Each person is fashioned in the image and likeness of God, inherently connected to the Creator. It is essential to repent for having fallen from this divine stature into a state akin to that of brute creatures.

Approach Jesus in humility, asking for His reforming grace so that you may walk uprightly in His ways and glorify God, just as the healed woman did.