Topical Encyclopedia
Paralysis, a condition characterized by the loss of the ability to move one or more muscles, is mentioned in several instances throughout the Bible. This condition is often depicted in the context of miraculous healings performed by Jesus Christ, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.
Biblical References:1.
Matthew 4:24 : "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them." This verse highlights the widespread impact of Jesus' healing ministry, where paralysis is specifically mentioned as one of the ailments He cured.
2.
Matthew 8:5-13 : The account of the centurion's servant provides a profound example of faith and healing. The centurion approaches Jesus, expressing his belief that Jesus can heal his paralyzed servant simply by speaking a word. Jesus responds, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." (
Matthew 8:10). The servant is healed at that very moment, illustrating the power of faith and Jesus' authority over physical ailments.
3.
Mark 2:1-12 : In this passage, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by his friends, who lower him through the roof due to the crowd. Jesus, seeing their faith, first forgives the man's sins, saying, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (
Mark 2:5). To demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, Jesus then commands the man to "get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (
Mark 2:11), resulting in the man's immediate healing. This event underscores the connection between spiritual and physical healing.
4.
John 5:1-9 : The healing at the Pool of Bethesda involves a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Jesus asks him, "Do you want to get well?" (
John 5:6), and upon the man's affirmative response, Jesus instructs him to "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk" (
John 5:8). The man is instantly healed, showcasing Jesus' compassion and power to restore health.
Theological Significance:Paralysis in the biblical context often serves as a metaphor for spiritual immobility or helplessness, which can only be remedied through divine intervention. The healings performed by Jesus not only address physical ailments but also signify the breaking of spiritual bondage and the restoration of wholeness. These miracles affirm Jesus' identity as the Messiah and His mission to bring salvation and healing to a broken world.
Faith and Healing:The accounts of healing from paralysis emphasize the importance of faith in Jesus' power and authority. The faith of those seeking healing, whether for themselves or on behalf of others, is consistently highlighted as a key component in the miraculous events. These narratives encourage believers to trust in Jesus' ability to heal and transform lives, both physically and spiritually.
Conclusion:The biblical portrayal of paralysis and its healing serves as a testament to Jesus' divine nature and His compassionate ministry. Through these accounts, believers are reminded of the hope and restoration available through faith in Christ, who has the power to heal both body and soul.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The loss of the power of voluntary motion in any part of the body; palsy. See Paraplegia.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PALSY; PARALYSISpol'-zi, pa-ral'-i-sis (paralusis): The English word "palsy" is derived from the Old French paralesie, which in Middle English was shortened into palesie, the form in which it appears in Wycliff's version. In the 16th century it appears as "palsy," the form used in the King James Version. This, however, is seldom used at the present day, the Latinized Greek form "paralysis" being more frequently employed, both in modern literature and in colloquial English "Sick of the palsy" is the translation either of the adjective paralutikos or of the participle of the verb paraluomai. The disease is one characterized by extreme loss of the power of motion dependent on some affection either of the motor centers of the brain or of the spinal cord. It is always serious, usually intractable, and generally sudden in onset (1 Maccabees 9:55). Miraculous cures by our Lord are related in general terms, as inMatthew 4:24Acts 8:7. Aeneas (Acts 9:33) was probably a paralytic eight years bedridden. Though the Lord addressed the paralytic let down through the roof (Matthew 9:6Mark 2:3Luke 5:18) as "son," it was not necessarily a proof that he was young, and though He prefaces the cure by declaring the forgiveness of sin, we need not infer that the disease was the result of an evil life, although it may have been. Bennett conjectures that the centurion's palsied servant grievously tormented was suffering from progressive paralysis with respiratory spasms (see PAIN). The substantive paralusis is only once used in the Septuagint inEzekiel 21:10, but here it refers to the loosing of the sword, not to the disease.
Alexander Macalister
PARALYSIS, PARALYTIC
pa-ral'-i-sis, par-alit'-ik.
SeePALSY.
Greek
3885. paralutikos -- paralytic... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: paralutikos Phonetic Spelling:
(par-al-oo-tee-kos') Short Definition: afflicted with
paralysis Definition: afflicted
...Library
August the Fourteenth theParalysis of the Soul
... AUGUST The Fourteenth THEPARALYSIS OF THE SOUL. LUKE v.17-26. The miracle
done in the body is purposed to be a symbol of a grander...
First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... This affliction usually comes upon a sudden; men who have been about their business,
as active as usual, have been in a moment struck down withparalysis....
Triumphant Prayer
... Israel, as things are now, it looks as if He was a mighty man astonied, a hero that
cannot save"some warrior stricken by panic fear into aparalysis of all...
Answers to Prayer
... During the latter part of this time the two daughters were sick, Mrs. Furlong
withparalysis and Miss Jordan with consumption. In...
Carried by Four
... The case which the narrative brings before us, is that of a man stricken down with
paralysis. This sad disease may have been of long continuance....
Our Death.
... In the doubtful cases of drowning, trance, orparalysis, the doubt is not
removed, if removed at all, until motion has been observed....
The Great Debt She Owed to Our Lord for his Mercy to Her. She...
... For when I saw how helpless I was throughparalysis, being still so young, and how
the physicians of this world had dealt with me, I determined to ask those of...
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... unto him a man sick of the palsy, { ^c that was palsied:} ^a lying on a bed: ^b
borne of four [Palsy is an abbreviation of the word "paralysis." It is caused...
The Little Flower Enters the Carmel
... After this happy feast trials again came upon us. Ever since his first attack
ofparalysis we realised that my Father was very easily tired....
the Little Flower Enters the Carmel
... After this happy feast trials again came upon us. Ever since his first attack
ofparalysis we realised that my Father was very easily tired....
Thesaurus
Paralysis (1 Occurrence)... See Paraplegia. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PALSY;
PARALYSIS.
... Alexander Macalister.
PARALYSIS, PARALYTIC. pa-ral'-i-sis, par-alit'-ik. See PALSY.
...Paralytic (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining toparalysis; resemblingparalysis. 2. (a.) Affected with
paralysis, or palsy. 3. (a.) Inclined or tending toparalysis....
Palsy (12 Occurrences)
... A shorter form of "paralysis." Many persons thus afflicted were cured by our Lord
(Matthew 4:24; 8:5-13; 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-11; Luke 7:2-10; John 5:5-7) and the...
Withered (46 Occurrences)
... Jeroboam was struck suddenly withparalysis of the arm, which is said to have "dried
up" (1 Kings 13:4-6); "probably due to sudden hemorrhage affecting some...
Diseases (38 Occurrences)
... Fevers of several kinds, dysentery, leprosy, intestinal worms, plague, nervous diseases
such asparalysis and epilepsy, insanity, ophthalmia and skin diseases...
Ill (137 Occurrences)
... And he made them well. (BBE DBY NAS NIV). Matthew 8:6 "Sir," he said, "my servant
at home is lying ill withparalysis, and is suffering great pain." (WEY BBE)....
Eyes (6285 Occurrences)
... problem since the days of Molyneux and Locke (Essay on the Human Understanding,
II, 9, 8). The blindness of Paul was probably a temporaryparalysis of the...
Disease (213 Occurrences)
... Fevers of several kinds, dysentery, leprosy, intestinal worms, plague, nervous diseases
such asparalysis and epilepsy, insanity, ophthalmia and skin diseases...
Paralysed (5 Occurrences)
Blindness (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 6:18) was either a miraculous intervention or more probably a temporary
hypnotism; that of Paul (Acts 9:8) was doubtless a temporaryparalysis of the...
Resources
Is sleep paralysis the result of spiritual attack? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Toronto Blessing? | GotQuestions.orgMiscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.orgParalysis: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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