Lexical Summary paralutikos: Paralytic Original Word: παραλυτικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a paralyticFrom a derivative of paraluo; as if dissolved, i.e. "paralytic" -- that had (sick of) the palsy. see GREEK paraluo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paraluó Definition paralytic NASB Translation paralytic (8), paralytics (1), paralyzed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3885: παραλυτικόςπαραλυτικός, παραλυτικη, παραλυτικόν (from παραλύω, which see), paralytic, i. e. suffering from the relaxing of the nerves of one side; universally, disabled, weak of limb (A. V. palsied, sick of the palsy): Matthew 4:24; Matthew 8:6; Matthew 9:2, 6; Mark 2:3-5, 9; and L WH marginal reading in Luke 5:24. (Cf. Riehm, HWB, under the word Krankheiten, 5; B. D. American edition, p. 1866b.) Topical Lexicon Term Overview Strong’s Greek 3885 designates a person suffering from paralysis—one whose physical powers are weakened or wholly disabled. In the Gospel narratives every occurrence of the term is linked to the public ministry of Jesus Christ, highlighting His healing compassion, His divine authority, and the response of faith that such power evokes. Occurrences in the Gospel Record 1. Matthew 4:24 – Crowds bring “the paralyzed” at the outset of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. These ten mentions cluster in two distinct scenes (the centurion’s servant and the lowered-through-the-roof paralytic) plus the summary statement of Matthew 4:24. No New Testament writer employs the word outside the healing ministry of Jesus, underscoring that its significance is tied directly to the manifestation of messianic power. Physical Affliction and the Compassionate Messiah Paralysis in the first-century world left sufferers socially marginalized, economically destitute, and ceremonially barred from full temple participation. Into this context the Messiah steps, and “He healed them” (Matthew 4:24). His instantaneous cures challenge prevailing assumptions that such conditions were irreversible or necessarily punitive. The healings of the paralytics thus display both His compassion for the downtrodden and His resolve to reverse the curse of sin’s physical consequences. Faith as Catalyst for Healing In every detailed scene faith is explicitly noted. The centurion believes Christ can heal at a distance; Jesus marvels, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith” (Matthew 8:10). The four friends who dismantle a roof furnish a picture of intercessory faith: “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (Mark 2:5). The term therefore becomes a narrative cue: physical paralysis invites readers to consider spiritual paralysis, and the required remedy is faith in Christ. Messianic Credentials and Authority to Forgive Sin Jesus ties the visible cure of the paralytic to an invisible, greater miracle—remission of sin: “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins… Get up, pick up your mat, and go home” (Matthew 9:6). By linking the word for paralytic to both healing and forgiveness, the Gospel writers demonstrate the unity of Jesus’ redemptive mission: He rescues body and soul, thereby authenticating His claim to divine prerogatives. Intercession and Community The Markan account (Mark 2:3-4) highlights communal effort—four companions bear the weight of their friend’s infirmity. The episode illustrates the church’s calling to carry the spiritually or physically incapacitated into the presence of Christ through prayer, practical help, and persevering faith. Historical Context of Paralysis Medical papyri and Greco-Roman writers testify that paralysis (often caused by trauma, stroke, or congenital issues) was viewed as incurable. Remedies were largely superstitious or palliative. Against this backdrop, the instantaneous, unmediated word of Jesus confounds expectations and invites recognition of a power wholly “other” than contemporary medicine or magic. Theological Implications 1. Christ’s miracles prefigure the eschatological promise that “the lame will leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:6). Applications for Ministry Today • Compassionate outreach to the disabled remains a gospel imperative; the church mirrors her Lord when she honors, includes, and serves those with physical limitations. Cross-References and Further Study Isaiah 35:3-6; Acts 3:1-10; Acts 9:32-35; Hebrews 12:12-13; James 5:14-16. Forms and Transliterations παραλυτικον παραλυτικόν παραλυτικὸν παραλυτικος παραλυτικός παραλυτικὸς παραλυτικους παραλυτικούς παραλυτικω παραλυτικώ παραλυτικῷ paralutiko paralutikō paralutikon paralutikos paralutikous paralytiko paralytikō paralytikôi paralytikō̂i paralytikon paralytikòn paralytikos paralytikós paralytikòs paralytikous paralytikoúsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:24 Adj-AMPGRK: σεληνιαζομένους καὶ παραλυτικούς καὶ ἐθεράπευσεν NAS: epileptics, paralytics; and He healed KJV: and those that had the palsy; and INT: epileptics and paralytics and he healed Matthew 8:6 Adj-NMS Matthew 9:2 Adj-AMS Matthew 9:2 Adj-DMS Matthew 9:6 Adj-DMS Mark 2:3 Adj-AMS Mark 2:4 Adj-NMS Mark 2:5 Adj-DMS Mark 2:9 Adj-DMS Mark 2:10 Adj-DMS Strong's Greek 3885 |
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