Lexical Summary hudrópikos: Dropsical, suffering from dropsy Original Word: ὑδρωπικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance suffering from dropsyFrom a compound of hudor and a derivative of optanomai (as if looking watery); to be "dropsical" -- have the dropsy. see GREEK hudor see GREEK optanomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hudróps (dropsy) Definition suffering from edema NASB Translation suffering from dropsy (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5203: ὑδρωπικόςὑδρωπικός, ὑδρωπικη, ὑδρωπικον (ὕδρωψ, the dropsy, i. e. internal water), dropsical, suffering from dropsy: Luke 14:2. (Hippcr. (Aristotle), Polybius 13, 2, 2; (others).) Topical Lexicon Lexical Background The Greek adjective ὑδρωπικός (hydropikos) describes a person afflicted with dropsy, a pathological retention of fluid that causes abnormal swelling. Though a medical term, its single New Testament appearance becomes theologically rich when placed within the Gospel narrative. Medical and Cultural Context In the ancient Mediterranean world, dropsy was viewed as incurable and often associated with other systemic illnesses. Swelling of the limbs and abdomen visibly marked the sufferer, making him ritually unclean by Pharisaic interpretation and socially marginalized. Physicians such as Hippocrates discussed the malady, yet effective treatment was scarce. Consequently, a hydropic person embodied chronic suffering and exclusion, providing a stark contrast to the wholeness of life envisioned in God’s covenant promises. Biblical Occurrence and Narrative Setting Luke 14:2 introduces “a man whose body was swollen with fluid” positioned directly before Jesus in the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath day. The placement is deliberate: By asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” (Luke 14:3), Jesus exposes the discrepancy between the Law’s intent and the tradition-bound application of it. When He heals the man, sending him away whole, the Savior affirms the Sabbath as a day “for doing good” (cf. Luke 6:9), reasserting God’s compassionate character. Theological Significance 1. Manifestation of Messianic Authority The instantaneous healing confirms Isaiah’s portrait of the Messiah who brings release to the captives and recovery to the afflicted (Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19). By commanding bodily water to recede, Jesus displays mastery over creation itself. 2. Revelation of Kingdom Priorities Following the miracle, Jesus speaks two parables concerning humility and the heavenly banquet (Luke 14:7-24). The hydropic man’s restoration anticipates the inclusive feast of the Kingdom, where the physically and spiritually bloated pride of the self-righteous is contrasted with the humble who accept the invitation. 3. Indictment of Hypocrisy The Lord appeals to the Pharisees’ own Sabbath practice of rescuing an ox or a son fallen into a pit (Luke 14:5). If mercy toward animals or family members is permitted, how much more should mercy for a suffering image-bearer of God be celebrated? Ministry Applications • Compassion Over Convention: Believers are called to subordinate man-made regulations to God’s higher law of love (Romans 13:10). Patristic and Historical Reflections • Cyril of Alexandria noted that the swelling body symbolized the “watery passions” of greed and earthly desire; Christ’s word released both fluid and sin, illustrating inner and outer liberation. Related Biblical Themes Healing miracles: Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 2:1-12 Sabbath mercy: Deuteronomy 5:14-15; Isaiah 58:13-14 Banquet imagery: Isaiah 25:6-9; Revelation 19:9 Humility: Proverbs 15:33; 1 Peter 5:5 The lone New Testament appearance of ὑδρωπικός thus magnifies the Savior’s compassion, authenticates His identity, and instructs the Church to embody merciful Sabbath rest in every generation. Forms and Transliterations υδρωπικος υδρωπικός ὑδρωπικὸς hydropikos hydropikòs hydrōpikos hydrōpikòs udropikos udrōpikosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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