Palsy, as referenced in the Bible, generally refers to a condition characterized by paralysis or a debilitating weakness of the muscles. In the context of the biblical narrative, it is often associated with a physical ailment that renders an individual unable to move or function normally. The term "palsy" is used in several passages in the New Testament, where it is depicted as a condition that Jesus healed, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 4:24 : "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and He healed them." This verse highlights the widespread nature of Jesus' healing ministry, including those afflicted with palsy, showcasing His power over physical ailments.

2. Matthew 9:2-7 : "Just then, some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.' At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, 'This man is blaspheming!' But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, 'Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' Then He said to the paralytic, 'Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.' And the man got up and went home." This passage not only illustrates Jesus' ability to heal physical paralysis but also His authority to forgive sins, linking physical healing with spiritual restoration.

3. Mark 2:3-12 : This account parallels the account in Matthew 9, where a paralytic is brought to Jesus by four men. The narrative emphasizes the faith of those who brought the paralytic to Jesus and underscores the dual aspect of healing and forgiveness. Jesus' command to the paralytic to rise and walk serves as a testament to His divine power and authority.

4. Luke 5:18-26 : "Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus, but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.' The scribes and Pharisees began to think to themselves, 'Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?' But Jesus knew what they were thinking and replied, 'Why do you question this in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.' Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God." This account further emphasizes the link between faith, forgiveness, and healing, highlighting the miraculous nature of Jesus' works.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, the healing of those with palsy serves as a powerful demonstration of Jesus' divine authority and compassion. It underscores the belief in His power to restore both physical and spiritual well-being. The accounts of healing the paralyzed also illustrate the importance of faith, both on the part of the afflicted and those who intercede on their behalf. These narratives reveal the holistic nature of Jesus' ministry, addressing the needs of the body and the soul, and affirming His identity as the Son of God with authority over all creation.Palsy

(contracted from paralysis). The loss of sensation or the power of motion, or both, in any part of the body. The infirmities included under this name in the New Testament were various:--

1. The paralytic shock affecting the whole body, or apoplexy.
2. That affecting only one side.
3. Affecting the whole system below the neck.
4. Catalepsy, caused by the contraction of the muscles in the whole or a part of the body. This was very dangerous and often fatal. The part affected remains immovable and diminishes in size and dries up. A hand thus affected was called "a withered hand." (Matthew 12:10-13)
5. Cramp. This was a most dreadful disease caused by the chills of the nights. The limbs remain immovably fixed in the same position as when seized as it, and the person seems like one suffering torture. It is frequently followed in a few days by death. Several paralytics were cured by Jesus. (Matthew 4:24; 8:13) etc.

Palsy

Or paralysis, strikes sometimes one side or portion of the body, and sometimes the whole; affecting the power of motion, or the power of sensation, or both. It is one of the least curable of diseases; but the Savior healed it with a word, Matthew 4:24; 12:10; Mark 2:3-12. The "withered hand," Mark 3:1, was probably an effect of the palsy. There is also a palsy of the soul, which the Great Physician can heal, and he alone.

A shorter form of "paralysis." Many persons thus afflicted were cured by our Lord (Matthew 4:24; 8:5-13; 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-11; Luke 7:2-10; John 5:5-7) and the apostles (Acts 8:7; 9:33, 34). 1. (n.) Paralysis, complete or partial.

2. (v. t.) To affect with palsy, or as with palsy; to deprive of action or energy; to paralyze.

PALSY; PARALYSIS

pol'-zi, pa-ral'-i-sis (paralusis): The English word "palsy" is derived from the Old French paralesie, which in Middle English was shortened into palesie, the form in which it appears in Wycliff's version. In the 16th century it appears as "palsy," the form used in the King James Version. This, however, is seldom used at the present day, the Latinized Greek form "paralysis" being more frequently employed, both in modern literature and in colloquial English "Sick of the palsy" is the translation either of the adjective paralutikos or of the participle of the verb paraluomai. The disease is one characterized by extreme loss of the power of motion dependent on some affection either of the motor centers of the brain or of the spinal cord. It is always serious, usually intractable, and generally sudden in onset (1 Maccabees 9:55). Miraculous cures by our Lord are related in general terms, as in Matthew 4:24 Acts 8:7. Aeneas (Acts 9:33) was probably a paralytic eight years bedridden. Though the Lord addressed the paralytic let down through the roof (Matthew 9:6 Mark 2:3 Luke 5:18) as "son," it was not necessarily a proof that he was young, and though He prefaces the cure by declaring the forgiveness of sin, we need not infer that the disease was the result of an evil life, although it may have been. Bennett conjectures that the centurion's palsied servant grievously tormented was suffering from progressive paralysis with respiratory spasms (see PAIN). The substantive paralusis is only once used in the Septuagint in Ezekiel 21:10, but here it refers to the loosing of the sword, not to the disease.

Alexander Macalister

3885. paralutikos -- paralytic
... a paralytic. From a derivative of paraluo; as if dissolved, ie "paralytic" -- that
had (sick of) the palsy. see GREEK paraluo. (paralutikon) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3885.htm - 6k

3886. paraluo -- to loose from the side
... From para and luo; to loosen beside, ie Relax (perfect passive participle, paralyzed
or enfeebled) -- feeble, sick of the (taken with) palsy. see GREEK para. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3886.htm - 6k

Of the Man Sick of the Palsy to whom the Lord Said, "Thy Sins are ...
... Chapter XXV."Of the Man Sick of the Palsy to Whom the Lord Said, "Thy Sins are Forgiven
Thee," And "Take Up Thy Bed;" And in Especial, of the Question ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxv of the man sick.htm

Of one that was Cured of a Palsy at his Tomb.
... BOOK IV CHAP. XXXI. Of one that was cured of a palsy at his tomb. THERE was
in that same monastery a brother whose name was Badudegn ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxxi of one that.htm

The Sick of the Palsy
... Strong Meat for Hungry Souls: The Gospel of St. Mark CHAPTER 2:1-12 THE SICK
OF THE PALSY. "And when He entered again into Capernaum ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 1-12 the sick of.htm

A Teacher with Authority
... And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. ...
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy: ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter ii a teacher with.htm

The Healing of a Paralytic.
... And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the healing of a paralytic.htm

The Compassion of Jesus
... Whether he ministers to the sick of the palsy, turns aside to help the father whose
child is dead, heals the woman with the issue of blood, drives away the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the compassion of jesus.htm

Christ's Authority to Forgive
... to receive them, no, not so much as about the door; and He preached the word unto
them.3. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs authority to forgive.htm

Christ's Encouragements
... of Him. He had been brought to Christ to be cured of his palsy. Our ... They
would have said 'Palsy.' He said, 'Yes! but palsy that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs encouragements.htm

How Miracles of Healing have Been Frequently Wrought in the Place ...
... frequently wrought in the place where King Oswald was killed; and how, first, a
traveller's horse was restored and afterwards a young girl cured of the palsy. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap ix how miracles of.htm

Healing the Centurion's Servant.
... a beseeching him, 6 and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick
of the palsy, grievously tormented. [Because palsy is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xliii healing the centurions servant.htm

Palsy (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Paralysis, complete or partial. 2. (vt) To affect with palsy, or as with
palsy; to deprive of action or energy; to paralyze. Int. ...PALSY; PARALYSIS. ...
/p/palsy.htm - 12k

Paralysis (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The loss of the power of voluntary motion in any
part of the body; palsy. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PALSY; PARALYSIS. ...
/p/paralysis.htm - 9k

Sick (117 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV). Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth
at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/s/sick.htm - 44k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... (2) An interesting case for study is that of the man "sick of the palsy" whom they
brought to Jesus "lying on a bed," and who when healed "took up the bed, and ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Struck (373 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:18 And lo, men bearing upon a couch a man, who hath been struck with palsy,
and they were seeking to bring him in, and to place before him, (YLT). ...
/s/struck.htm - 37k

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... (2) An interesting case for study is that of the man "sick of the palsy" whom they
brought to Jesus "lying on a bed," and who when healed "took up the bed, and ...
/b/bedstead.htm - 18k

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... (2) An interesting case for study is that of the man "sick of the palsy" whom they
brought to Jesus "lying on a bed," and who when healed "took up the bed, and ...
/b/bedchamber.htm - 20k

Palsied (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Affected with palsy; paralyzed. 2. (imp. & pp)
of Palsy. Multi-Version Concordance Palsied (7 Occurrences). ...
/p/palsied.htm - 8k

Paralytic (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to paralysis; resembling paralysis. 2. (a.) Affected
with paralysis, or palsy. ... pa-ral'-i-sis, par-alit'-ik. See PALSY. ...
/p/paralytic.htm - 10k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... NIV). Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
grievously tormented. (KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew ...
/h/ - 36k

How can a Christian cope while suffering with a degenerative disease? | GotQuestions.org

Palsy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus