Lexical Summary paraluó: To weaken, to disable, to paralyze Original Word: παραλύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to weaken, disable, paralyzeFrom para and luo; to loosen beside, i.e. Relax (perfect passive participle, paralyzed or enfeebled) -- feeble, sick of the (taken with) palsy. see GREEK para see GREEK luo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom para and luó Definition to loose from the side NASB Translation feeble (1), paralytic (1), paralyzed (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3886: παραλύωπαραλύω: (perfect passive participle παραλελυμένος); properly, to loose on one side or from the side (cf. παρά, IV. 1); to loose or part things placed side by side; to loosen, dissolve, hence, to weaken, enfeeble: παραλελυμένος, suffering from the relaxing of the nerves, unstrung, weak of limb (palsied), Luke 5:18, 24 ((not L WH marginal reading) see παραλυτικός); Acts 8:7; Acts 9:33; παραλελυμένα γόνατα, i. e. tottering, weakened, feeble knees, Hebrews 12:12; Isaiah 35:3; Sir. 25:23; χεῖρες παραλελυμένα Ezekiel 7:27; Jeremiah 6:24; (Jeremiah 27:15, 43 Topical Lexicon Conceptual ScopeStrong’s Greek 3886 appears exclusively in the passive voice to describe the condition of being rendered powerless or motionless. While it normally denotes literal paralysis of body members, Hebrews 12:12 widens the field by applying the term to spiritual and moral fatigue. Thus Scripture presents a unified picture: the God who restores limbs also restores hearts, and both dimensions flow from the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. New Testament Occurrences • Luke 5:18–26. A bedridden man is lowered through a roof before Jesus. The Lord’s first declaration—“Friend, your sins are forgiven” (verse 20)—establishes that spiritual paralysis exceeds physical symptoms. When critics question His authority, Jesus drives home the lesson: “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home” (verse 24). The healing authenticates the prior forgiveness and reveals the Messiah’s comprehensive power over body and soul. • Luke 5:24. Luke, the physician-evangelist, records the command and immediate recovery, underscoring that no human expertise could achieve what the divine word accomplished in an instant. • Acts 8:7. As Philip preaches in Samaria, “many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” The identical verb links the Evangelist’s ministry with that of Christ, demonstrating continuity between the earthly mission of Jesus and Spirit-empowered witness after Pentecost. • Acts 9:33–35. In Lydda, Aeneas has been bedridden for eight years. Peter declares, “Jesus Christ heals you” (verse 34), unambiguously attributing the miracle to the risen Lord. The subsequent conversion of the town (verse 35) highlights healing as an evangelistic catalyst. • Hebrews 12:12. The writer exhorts weary believers: “Therefore strengthen your limp hands and weak knees.” By borrowing the medical term for paralysis, he calls for renewed vigor in faith and perseverance, echoing Isaiah 35:3. Historical Setting Physical paralysis in the first-century Mediterranean world carried social stigma and economic hardship; sufferers were often reduced to begging. Contemporary medicine offered little hope. This explains why the crowds responded with awe when the condition was reversed (Luke 5:26; Acts 8:8). The apostolic miracles therefore supplied irrefutable evidence that the age of fulfillment had dawned. Theological Significance 1. Christological Authority The healings validate Jesus as Son of Man with authority “on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). His command over paralysis anticipates the greater victory over death itself. 2. Kingdom In-Breaking Restoration of disabled bodies fulfills prophetic expectations (Isaiah 35:6) and signals the inaugural presence of God’s reign. 3. Apostolic Continuity Peter and Philip act “in the name of Jesus,” demonstrating that miraculous power continues through the Church, not as an end in itself, but as a sign pointing to the gospel. 4. Holistic Salvation Scripture refuses to bifurcate human need. Forgiveness, physical healing, and moral strengthening are facets of one redemptive reality. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Prayer for the sick remains integral to ministry (James 5:13–16). Key Themes for Study Authority of Christ; Forgiveness and Healing; Signs and Wonders; Perseverance; Compassion for the Weak; Continuity of Salvation History. Summary Strong’s 3886 traces a movement from helpless incapacity to restored vitality, whether in physical members or in the life of faith. Each occurrence proclaims the same message: the Lord who speaks still makes the paralyzed walk and the weary stand firm. Forms and Transliterations παραλελυμενα παραλελυμένα παραλελυμενοι παραλελυμένοι παραλελυμενος παραλελυμένος παραλελυμένους παραλελυμενω παραλελυμένω παραλελυμένῳ παραλυθήσονται παραλύσαι παραλύσει παραλύσω παρελύθησαν παρέλυσε παρέλυσεν paralelumena paralelumeno paralelumenō paralelumenoi paralelumenos paralelymena paralelyména paralelymeno paralelymenō paralelymenoi paralelyménoi paralelyménōi paralelymenos paralelyménosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 5:18 V-RPM/P-NMSGRK: ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος καὶ ἐζήτουν NAS: who was paralyzed; and they were trying KJV: was taken with a palsy: and INT: who was paralyzed and they sought Luke 5:24 V-RPM/P-DMS Acts 8:7 V-RPM/P-NMP Acts 9:33 V-RPM/P-NMS Hebrews 12:12 V-RPM/P-ANP Strong's Greek 3886 |
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