Lexical Summary kullos: Crippled, lame, deformed Original Word: κυλλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance maimed. From the same as kulioo; rocking about, i.e. Crippled (maimed, in feet or hands) -- maimed. see GREEK kulioo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition crippled NASB Translation crippled (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2948: κυλλόςκυλλός, κυλλή, κυλλόν (akin to κύκλος, κυλίω, Latincircus, curvus, etc.; Curtius, § 81); 1. crooked; of the members of the body (Hippocrates, Aristophanes av. 1379): as distinguished from χωλός, it seems to be injured or disabled in the hands (but doubted by many), Matthew 15:30, 31 (but here Tr marginal reading brackets κυλλούς and WH read it in marginal reading only). 2. maimed, mutilated (οὕς, Hippocrates, p. 805 (iii., p. 186, Kühn edition)): Matthew 18:8; Mark 9:43. Strong’s Greek 2948 describes a severe bodily impairment involving the loss or withering of a hand or foot. In the Gospel narratives it is translated “crippled,” “maimed,” or “lame,” emphasizing either an absent limb or one that no longer functions. Occurrences in the Gospel narrative 1. Matthew 15:30–31 presents crowds bringing “the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others” to Jesus. His instantaneous healing of the κυλλούς leads the multitudes to “glorify the God of Israel,” underscoring His Messianic identity. Christological significance The healing of severely disabled people illustrates Jesus’ authority over the curse of Genesis 3. By restoring limbs, He gives a foretaste of the coming kingdom in which “death will no longer exist” (Revelation 21:4) and all physical brokenness is reversed. The crowds’ response—publicly glorifying God—shows that the miracles authenticate both His mission and the in-breaking reign of God. Ethical teaching on sin and the body In Matthew 18:8 and Mark 9:43, the same term that describes a healed person is used metaphorically to urge radical holiness. The Lord elevates eternal destiny above temporary wholeness. The call to “cut off” whatever leads to sin affirms the priceless worth of life in God’s kingdom compared with earthly comfort. By pairing the physical image with moral exhortation, Jesus asserts that unchecked sin is more destructive than even the loss of a limb. Old Testament echoes and Messianic expectation Isaiah foresaw a day when “the lame will leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:6). The Gospel scenes where κυλλός people walk confirm that Jesus fulfills those prophecies. Additionally, Leviticus 21 excluded the maimed from priestly service, highlighting human inability to approach God in a defiled state. Jesus reverses this exclusion by restoring the maimed and inviting them into full participation in covenant blessing. First-century cultural context of disability In the ancient Mediterranean world, a missing hand or foot usually meant dependency on begging and exclusion from normal social and religious life. Families bore economic and social stigma. By healing such individuals publicly, Jesus not only removes physical impairment but also restores them to community, dignity, and productive life. Implications for contemporary ministry • Compassion: Jesus’ example mandates intentional ministry to persons with disabilities, viewing them as image-bearers worthy of honor. Summary Strong’s Greek 2948 surfaces at key junctures in the Gospels to showcase both the wonder of Christ’s healing power and the gravity of His call to holiness. Whether depicting literal restoration or figurative loss for the sake of righteousness, the term continually directs attention to the surpassing value of entering “life” with God, where every infirmity will ultimately be undone. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:30 Adj-AMPGRK: ἑαυτῶν χωλούς κυλλούς τυφλούς κωφούς NAS: with them [those who were] lame, crippled, blind, KJV: blind, dumb, maimed, and many INT: them lame crippled blind mute Matthew 15:31 Adj-AMP Matthew 18:8 Adj-AMS Mark 9:43 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 2948 |
    |