Lexical Summary anaperos: Crippled, maimed, disabled Original Word: ἀνάπηρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance maimed. From ana (in the sense of intensity) and peros (maimed); crippled -- maimed. see GREEK ana Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 376: ἀνάπειροςἀνάπειρος, a false spelling (arising from itacism (cf. Phryn. in Bekker, Anecd. i., p. 9, 22: διά τοῦ ἤ τήν τρίτην, οὐ διά τῆς εἰ διφθογγου ὡς οἱ ἀμαθεῖς)) in some manuscripts in Luke 14:13, 21 (and adopted by L Tr WH; (see WH. Appendix, p. 151)) for ἀνάπηρος, which see. STRONGS NT 376: ἀνάπηροςἀνάπηρος, ἀναπηρον (properly, πηρός from the lowest part to the highest — ἀνά; hence, Suidas ὁ καθ' ὑπερβολήν πεπηρωμενος (cf. Lob. Path. Elementa 1:195)), disabled in the limbs, maimed, crippled; injured in, or bereft of, some member of the body: Luke 14:13, 21 ἀναπήρους, χωλούς, τυφλούς. In both these passages L Tr WH have adopted with certain manuscripts the spelling ἀναπείρους — manifestly false, as arising from itacism. (Plato, Crito, p. 53 a. χωλοί καί τυφλοί καί ἄλλοι ἀναπηροι; Aristotle, h. a. 7, 6 (vol. i., p. 585b, 29) τινονται ἐξ ἀναπηρων ἀναπηροι; Lysias quoted in Suidas ῤῖνα καί ὦτα ἀνάπηρος; 2 Macc. 8:24 τοῖς μέλεσιν ἀναπήρους.) The term appears twice, both in the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:13, 21). Jesus instructs His hearers to invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14:13) and later pictures the master compelling exactly these guests to fill his house (Luke 14:21). In the immediate context, the word highlights those whose physical limitations placed them on the margins of first-century society and excluded them from many social and religious privileges. By elevating them to the position of honored banquet guests, Jesus dramatizes grace that disregards human status and points to the universal call of the gospel. Historical and Cultural Setting Physical disability in the ancient world often meant poverty, social isolation, and ritual exclusion (compare Leviticus 21:17-20). Begging was frequently the only livelihood available (Acts 3:2). The Law, however, commanded compassion (Deuteronomy 15:7-11), and prophetic literature envisioned a future in which the lame would rejoice (Isaiah 35:6). Against this backdrop, Jesus’ teaching overturns prevailing prejudices and restores dignity to those once regarded as unworthy of fellowship. Old Testament Foreshadowing 1. Mephibosheth, crippled from childhood, is welcomed to King David’s table (2 Samuel 9:7-13), prefiguring the royal hospitality extended in Luke 14. Messianic Ministry and Miraculous Restoration Jesus’ earthly work repeatedly validated the prophetic vision by healing the lame (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22; John 5:8-9). These miracles not only relieved physical suffering but also authenticated His identity as Messiah. They served as living parables of spiritual restoration: those previously unable to “walk” in God’s ways are enabled to do so through Christ. Kingdom Theology: Inclusion of the Marginalized Luke’s banquet parable presents a dual thrust: an invitation to the socially despised and a warning to the self-satisfied. The crippled, along with the poor and blind, represent any who recognize their helplessness and accept divine grace. Conversely, those who decline the invitation symbolize Israel’s leadership and, by extension, all who trust in personal merit. The gospel thus creates a new community where physical, social, and ethnic barriers are rendered irrelevant (Romans 3:29; Galatians 3:28). Pastoral and Missional Application • Hospitality: Churches reflect Christ’s heart when they welcome people with disabilities, providing physical access, relational warmth, and opportunities for service (James 2:1-4). Eschatological Hope The Parable of the Great Banquet anticipates the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Present inclusion of the crippled foreshadows a consummated kingdom where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). Physical limitations will be swallowed up in resurrection wholeness (1 Corinthians 15:42-44), and the redeemed will sit together at the eternal feast, trophies of sovereign grace. Englishman's Concordance Luke 14:13 Adj-AMPGRK: κάλει πτωχούς ἀναπείρους χωλούς τυφλούς NAS: [the] poor, [the] crippled, [the] lame, KJV: the poor, the maimed, the lame, INT: call the poor the crippled the lame the blind Luke 14:21 Adj-AMP |