Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "paralytic" refers to individuals who are afflicted with paralysis, a condition that renders them unable to move certain parts of their body. This condition is prominently featured in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ performs miraculous healings on those suffering from paralysis, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.
Biblical Accounts:1.
Healing of the Paralytic in Capernaum: One of the most well-known accounts of a paralytic being healed by Jesus is found in the Synoptic Gospels—
Matthew 9:1-8,
Mark 2:1-12, and
Luke 5:17-26. In this narrative, a paralytic man is brought to Jesus by his friends. Due to the large crowd, they lower him through the roof of the house where Jesus is teaching. Moved by their faith, Jesus first forgives the man's sins, saying, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (
Mark 2:5). This statement causes controversy among the scribes, who question Jesus' authority to forgive sins. To demonstrate His authority, Jesus then commands the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (
Mark 2:11). The man immediately rises, takes his mat, and walks out in full view of everyone, leaving the crowd amazed and glorifying God.
2.
Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: Another significant healing of a paralytic is recorded in
John 5:1-15. At the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Jesus asks him, "Do you want to get well?" (
John 5:6). The man explains his inability to reach the healing waters of the pool. Jesus then commands him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk" (
John 5:8). Instantly, the man is healed, picks up his mat, and walks. This miracle, performed on the Sabbath, leads to further controversy with the Jewish leaders, who challenge Jesus' actions.
Theological Significance:The healing of paralytics by Jesus is rich in theological meaning. These miracles not only demonstrate Jesus' compassion and power over physical ailments but also serve as a testament to His authority to forgive sins. The physical healing of the paralytic is often seen as a metaphor for spiritual healing and the forgiveness of sins, emphasizing the holistic salvation that Jesus offers.
The faith of those who bring the paralytic to Jesus is also highlighted, illustrating the importance of intercessory faith and the communal aspect of seeking divine intervention. The narratives underscore the belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah, who fulfills Old Testament prophecies of healing and restoration (
Isaiah 35:5-6).
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient world, paralysis was a debilitating condition with limited medical remedies. Those afflicted were often marginalized and dependent on others for care. The miraculous healings performed by Jesus would have been seen as extraordinary acts of divine intervention, challenging the prevailing social and religious norms of the time.
Conclusion:The accounts of Jesus healing paralytics are central to understanding His ministry and the nature of His mission. They reveal His divine authority, His compassion for the suffering, and His power to bring about both physical and spiritual restoration. These accounts continue to inspire faith and hope in the transformative power of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to paralysis; resembling paralysis.
2. (a.) Affected with paralysis, or palsy.
3. (a.) Inclined or tending to paralysis.
4. (n.) A person affected with paralysis.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARALYSIS, PARALYTICpa-ral'-i-sis, par-alit'-ik.
SeePALSY.
Greek
3885. paralutikos --paralytic...paralytic. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: paralutikos Phonetic Spelling:
(par-al-oo-tee-kos') Short Definition: afflicted with paralysis Definition
...132. Aineas -- Aeneas, aparalytic cured by Peter
... Aeneas, aparalytic cured by Peter. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Aineas Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-neh'-as) Short Definition: Aeneas Definition...
3886. paraluo -- to loose from the side
... Word Origin from para and luo Definition to loose from the side NASB Word Usage
feeble (1),paralytic (1), paralyzed (3). to weaken, disable, paralyze....
Library
TheParalytic Let Down through the Roof.
... homily on theparalytic let down through the roof.... This wealth we found
in great abundance stored in the soul of theparalytic....
AParalytic Jew Healed by Atticus in Baptism.
... Book VII. Chapter IV."AParalytic Jew healed by Atticus in Baptism. This
was one important improvement in the circumstances of...
Christ Heals aParalytic at Capernaum, and the Pharisees Accuse...
... GALILEE. Section 168. Christ Heals aParalytic at Capernaum, and the Pharisees
accuse him of Blasphemy."The Accusation Repelled. (Matt...
The Healing of aParalytic.
... BEGINNINGS OF CONTROVERSY THE HEALING OF APARALYTIC. And when he entered again
into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house....
Jesus Heals aParalytic at Capernaum.
... Jesus Heals aParalytic at Capernaum.... Some take this as implying that other miracles
had been wrought that day, before the arrival of theparalytic....
Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the...
... Chapter X."Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the Healing
of theParalytic, and from the Designation Son of Man Which Jesus Gives...
The Sick of the Palsy
... And they came, bringing to Him aparalytic, carried by four men. And being
unable to get to Him on account of the crowd, they removed...
And in the Morning of that Day He Went Out Very Early...
... [542] And some men brought a bed with a man on it who wasparalytic. [15]
And they sought to bring him in and lay him before him....
Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... Whilst He was there teaching, a company of people come to Him (e'rchontai
pro`s auto`n), four of the party carrying aparalytic on a bed....
John v. 6, 7
... Since this man who had beenparalytic for thirty and eight years, and who saw each
year others delivered, and himself bound by his disease, not even so fell...
Thesaurus
Paralytic (12 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PARALYSIS,
PARALYTIC. pa-ral'-i-sis,
par-alit'-ik. See PALSY. Multi-Version Concordance
Paralytic (12 Occurrences).
...Couch (55 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:2 and lo, they were bringing to him aparalytic, laid upon a couch, and
Jesus having seen their faith, said to theparalytic, 'Be of good courage...
Paralysis (1 Occurrence)
... Miraculous cures by our Lord are related in general terms, as in Matthew 4:24 Acts
8:7. Aeneas (Acts 9:33) was probably aparalytic eight years bedridden....
Mat (17 Occurrences)
... Jesus, seeing their faith, said to theparalytic, "Son, cheer up!... When they had broken
it up, they let down the mat that theparalytic was lying on....
Pardoned (21 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Pardon. Multi-Version Concordance Pardoned (21 Occurrences). Matthew
9:2 Here they brought to Him aparalytic lying on a bed....
Sins (351 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Matthew 9:2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying
on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to theparalytic, "Son, cheer up!...
Forgiven (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed.
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to theparalytic, "Son, cheer up!...
Forgive (81 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins..." (then he said to theparalytic), "Get up, and take up your mat...
Prove (83 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:6 But, to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon
sins" --He then says to theparalytic, "Rise, and take up your bed and go...
Pick (37 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins..." (then he said to theparalytic), "Get up, and take up your mat...
Resources
What are the strongest biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgAre faith healers for real? Does a faith healer heal with the same power as Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the greatest miracles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgParalytic: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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