Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "paralyzed" refers to individuals who are unable to move parts of their body, often due to a physical ailment or condition. The condition of paralysis is mentioned in several passages in the New Testament, where it serves as a backdrop for the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.
Biblical Accounts of Paralysis1.
Healing of the Paralytic in Capernaum: One of the most well-known accounts of a paralyzed individual is found in the Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus heals a paralytic in Capernaum. In
Mark 2:1-12 , the account describes how four men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, unable to reach Him due to the crowd. They made an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the man on a mat. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (
Mark 2:5). To demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, Jesus then commanded the man to "get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (
Mark 2:11), and the man was immediately healed.
2.
Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: Another significant account is found in
John 5:1-15 , where Jesus heals a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. The man was lying by the Pool of Bethesda, where many disabled people waited for the stirring of the waters, believed to bring healing. Jesus approached the man and asked, "Do you want to get well?" (
John 5:6). After the man explained his inability to reach the pool, Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk" (
John 5:8). The man was instantly healed and obeyed Jesus' command.
3.
Healing of Aeneas: In
Acts 9:32-35 , the Apostle Peter heals a man named Aeneas in Lydda. Aeneas had been bedridden and paralyzed for eight years. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed" (
Acts 9:34). Aeneas immediately got up, and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Theological SignificanceThe healing of paralyzed individuals in the New Testament serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it underscores the compassion and mercy of Jesus, who responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals. Secondly, these miracles authenticate Jesus' divine authority, as they are often accompanied by declarations of forgiveness of sins, a prerogative of God alone. The physical healing acts as a visible sign of the deeper spiritual healing that Jesus offers.
Furthermore, these accounts highlight the importance of faith, both on the part of the individuals seeking healing and those interceding on their behalf. The faith of the friends of the paralytic in Capernaum, for example, is explicitly mentioned as a factor in the man's healing (
Mark 2:5).
Paralysis as a MetaphorIn a broader spiritual sense, paralysis can also be seen as a metaphor for the human condition under sin. Just as physical paralysis renders a person immobile and dependent, sin paralyzes the soul, rendering it incapable of moving towards God without divine intervention. The healing of the paralyzed thus symbolizes the liberation from sin and the restoration of spiritual vitality through Christ.
In summary, the accounts of paralyzed individuals in the Bible not only demonstrate the miraculous power of Jesus but also convey profound spiritual truths about faith, forgiveness, and the transformative power of divine grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Paralyze.
Greek
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.
...3885. paralutikos -- paralytic
... paralysis. Word Origin from paraluo Definition paralytic NASB Word Usage
paralytic (8), paralytics (1),paralyzed (1). a paralytic....
Library
Tobacco.
... class of poisons, such as opium, the reason why the system does not arouse itself
and try to cast off the poison, is that the nerves becomeparalyzed so that...
On the Third Part of the Psalm.
... the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.'" Lest he should say in his
heart, "Scripture deceives us;" and all his limbs should beparalyzed to good...
The Wicked Husbandmen.
... The structure of the parable in its later stages presupposes a country in which
the central government isparalyzed, and the will of the strongest has usurped...
Little Jennie's Sickness and Death
... true Christian. About three weeks after she was taken ill her little body
wasparalyzed and drawn all out of shape it seemed. Then...
August the Fourteenth the Paralysis of the Soul
... "That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, then
saith He...!" He heals theparalyzed body that we may know what He can do with...
Christianity in Poverty and Lowliness, and on the Sick Bed.
... know, as I know him, poor in earthly goods, rich in God, worn out by a long illness;
for, from his childhood until the end of his life, he layparalyzed in all...
First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... This man, it seems to me, first, had faith which went out towards the Lord Jesus.
Evidently, as I read the narrative, he had been suddenlyparalyzed....
Sanctified by Faith.
... No, it is not for want of evidence, but because the faith-faculty has become weakened
andparalyzed by sin, and now we must determine to believe, by putting...
Christ and Little Children
... Man is proud of his independence only because he relies on his own powers; when
these areparalyzed, as in the sickroom or before the judge, he is willing...
The King's Courts
... A death-like hush fell on the assembly, which probably broke up in dismay. So
paralyzed was every one that no hand was laid on the preacher....
Thesaurus
Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)...Paralyzed (11 Occurrences).
... (See NIV). Matthew 8:6 and saying, "Lord, my servant
lies in the house
paralyzed, grievously tormented." (WEB NAS RSV NIV).
...Mat (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mat (17 Occurrences). Matthew 9:2 Behold, they
brought to him a man who wasparalyzed, lying on a bed....
Paralytic (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Matthew 9:2 Behold, they brought to him a man who wasparalyzed, lying
on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up!...
Cot (3 Occurrences)
... Cot (3 Occurrences). Luke 5:18 Behold, men brought aparalyzed man on a cot,
and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. (WEB)....
Lame (35 Occurrences)
... John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or
paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; (WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Sins (351 Occurrences)
... (BBE NIV). Matthew 9:2 Behold, they brought to him a man who wasparalyzed, lying
on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up!...
Lay (524 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:18 Behold, men brought aparalyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring
him in to lay before Jesus. (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS RSV NIV)....
Quake (23 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 29:7 When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their
shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke, andparalyzed all of...
Bed (142 Occurrences)
... with fever. (WEY BBE NAS NIV). Matthew 9:2 Behold, they brought to him a
man who wasparalyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their...
Knees (47 Occurrences)
... the hands that hang down, and the palsied (the King James Version "feeble") knees."
The Greek word used here (paralelumena, "paralyzed," "motionless") implies...
Resources
How could Jesus say, “Your sins are forgiven,” before He died on the cross? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of exousia in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat Greek gods are mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgParalyzed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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