King James Version

What Does Luke 13:15 Mean?

Luke 13:15 in the King James Version says “The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass fr...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?”

Luke 13:15 · KJV

Context

13

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

15

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

16

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

17

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? Jesus' response begins with a devastating label: "hypocrite" (ὑποκριτά, hypokrita, singular, directly addressing the ruler). The Greek originally meant stage actor—one wearing a mask, playing a part. Jesus exposes the ruler's pretense: claiming to honor God while violating His heart.

The rhetorical question employs kal v'chomer (light to heavy) reasoning common in Jewish argumentation: if you do X for an animal, how much more should you do X for a human? The ruler would "loose" (λύει, lyei, from lyō, ἀλύω, the same root as "loosed" in v. 12) his ox or donkey for water on the Sabbath without hesitation. Jesus uses identical vocabulary: the woman needed to be "loosed" from bondage just as animals are "loosed" for care.

The argument is irrefutable: Sabbath law permits caring for animals' needs, yet the ruler objects to liberating a woman from eighteen years of Satanic bondage. The logic demonstrates that Pharisaic Sabbath regulations were arbitrary and inconsistent—allowing what benefited them while prohibiting mercy toward others. Jesus exposes their self-serving interpretation of God's law.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish Sabbath law recognized that animal welfare sometimes required Sabbath activity. The ox and donkey mentioned here recall the fourth commandment itself (Exodus 20:10, Deuteronomy 5:14), which includes animals in Sabbath rest. Rabbinic tradition allowed untying animals for watering on the Sabbath, recognizing that animal needs couldn't wait. Jesus uses their own accepted practices to demonstrate the absurdity of opposing human healing on the Sabbath. If animal discomfort warrants Sabbath relief, how much more does human suffering?

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jesus' use of animal care to defend human healing reveal about the value God places on people?
  2. How does the charge of hypocrisy challenge those who are more concerned with religious appearance than genuine mercy?
  3. In what areas might contemporary believers apply religious standards inconsistently, strict with others but lenient with themselves?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀπεκρίθη1 of 26

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

οὖν2 of 26

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

αὐτοῦ3 of 26

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ4 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος5 of 26

“The Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

καὶ6 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν7 of 26

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὑποκριτά8 of 26

“Thou hypocrite”

G5273

an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler ("hypocrite"

ἕκαστος9 of 26

“each one”

G1538

each or every

ὑμῶν10 of 26

“of you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τῷ11 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαββάτῳ12 of 26

“on the sabbath”

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

οὐ13 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

λύει14 of 26

“doth”

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

τὸν15 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βοῦν16 of 26

“ox”

G1016

an ox (as grazing), i.e., an animal of that species ("beef")

αὐτοῦ17 of 26

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἢ18 of 26

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τὸν19 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄνον20 of 26

“his ass”

G3688

a donkey

ἀπὸ21 of 26

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῆς22 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φάτνης23 of 26

“the stall”

G5336

a crib (for fodder)

καὶ24 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπαγαγὼν25 of 26

“lead him away”

G520

to take off (in various senses)

ποτίζει26 of 26

“to watering”

G4222

to furnish drink, irrigate

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 14:5John 7:21-24Acts 13:9-10Matthew 15:14Matthew 23:13Proverbs 11:9

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