What does Luke 13:11 mean?

Jesus is teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath when He notices a woman who has been bent nearly double for nearly two decades (Luke 13:10). A normal rabbi would ignore her, perhaps thinking she is cursed by God for her sin (John 9:1–3). Jesus does the opposite. He stops his teaching and calls her to come forward. He touches her—which no rabbi would ever do. And He heals her. The leader of the synagogue, who most likely chose Jesus to read the Scriptures and teach on the passage, is horrified that Jesus has "worked" on the Sabbath. Rather than reprimanding Jesus in front of the audience, however, he scolds the audience (Luke 13:12–14).

The woman's condition is caused by demonic oppression. Such ailments were not unheard of in Jesus' time, but we don't know why (Luke 9:38–42). It's possible His presence and work somehow attracted demonic attention or that demons gathered specifically to thwart Him and His claims. This passage is not saying that demons cause all or even most illnesses and disabilities.

Scholars debate over whether "fully straighten" should be translated "straighten at all"; that is, does it mean she cannot stand erect or that she cannot straighten even a little from her bent position? We don't know which, just that she is severely disabled. The Greek phrase describing the way she cannot stand is eis to panteles. Panteles is the same word used in Hebrews 7:25 to describe that Jesus "is able to save to the uttermost;" the word means "completely," "to the uttermost," "entirely" or "perfectly."