Convulsions, often understood as involuntary contractions or spasms of the muscles, are mentioned in the Bible in the context of demonic possession and illness. In the ancient world, such physical manifestations were frequently attributed to spiritual or supernatural causes, reflecting the worldview of the time.

Biblical References:

1. Mark 9:17-27: One of the most notable accounts of convulsions in the Bible is found in the Gospel of Mark. A man brings his son, who is possessed by a spirit, to Jesus. The father describes the boy's condition: "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid" (Mark 9:17-18). Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, commanding it to leave the boy and never return. The spirit cries out, convulses the boy violently, and comes out, leaving him as if dead. Jesus then takes the boy by the hand and lifts him up, restoring him to health.

2. Luke 9:38-42: A parallel account is found in the Gospel of Luke, where a father pleads with Jesus to heal his only son, who is seized by a spirit that causes sudden cries and convulsions. The spirit "throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth" (Luke 9:39). Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the boy, and returns him to his father.

3. Matthew 17:14-18: In Matthew's Gospel, the same incident is recounted with additional emphasis on the disciples' inability to cast out the demon. Jesus attributes their failure to a lack of faith and proceeds to rebuke the demon, which comes out of the boy, curing him instantly.

Theological Implications:

In these accounts, convulsions are directly linked to demonic activity, illustrating the belief in the spiritual realm's influence over physical health. The authority of Jesus over such spirits is a central theme, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. The episodes highlight the importance of faith and the recognition of Jesus' authority in overcoming spiritual and physical afflictions.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the biblical era, medical knowledge was limited, and many physical and mental health issues were attributed to spiritual causes. Convulsions, as described in the Gospels, would have been understood within this framework. The accounts of Jesus healing those afflicted by such conditions would have been seen as a testament to His divine authority and a fulfillment of messianic prophecies.

Modern Considerations:

While contemporary medicine provides explanations for convulsions, such as epilepsy or other neurological disorders, the biblical accounts remain significant for their spiritual insights. They remind believers of the power of prayer, faith, and the presence of Jesus in overcoming life's challenges, both physical and spiritual. The narratives encourage a holistic understanding of health, recognizing the interplay between body, mind, and spirit.4682. sparasso -- to mangle, convulse
... Word Origin akin to spairo (to gasp) Definition to mangle, convulse NASB Word Usage
throwing...into...convulsions (2), throws...into a convulsion (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4682.htm - 6k

It is not Essential to Man's Happiness that He Should Know the ...
... Chapter 16."It is Not Essential to Man's Happiness that He Should Know the Causes
of Physical Convulsions; But It Is, that He Should Know the Causes of Good ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 16 it is not essential.htm

But they with whom we Argue have Undoubtedly a Right to Select ...
... place, the solemnity, and, above all, by the sympathy of the surrounding multitude,
that many of them were thrown into violent convulsions, which convulsions ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter ii but they with.htm

Our Strong City
... of the unseen but existent order of things or polity to which men here on earth
may belong, and which will one day, after shocks and convulsions that shatter ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/our strong city.htm

The Truth About Trances
... The danger was to regard extraordinary circumstances too much, such as outcries,
convulsions, visions, trances; as if these were essential to the inward work ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the truth about trances.htm

The Cruelty of Herod Toward the Infants, and the Manner of his ...
... the rapidity of respiration. 8. He had convulsions also in every limb, which
gave him uncontrollable strength. It was said, indeed ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter viii the cruelty of herod.htm

A New Years Message
... Geologists used to be divided into two schools, one of whom explained everything
by invoking great convulsions, the other by appealing to the uniform action of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a new years message.htm

The Two Storms (Jesus Walking on the Water)
... And the picture is completed by the mention of their new dread (fear of the
supernatural Man replacing their terror amid the convulsions of nature), and of ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 35-41 6 47-52 the two.htm

The Enchiridion
... Chapter 16.--It is Not Essential to Man's Happiness that He Should Know the Causes
of Physical Convulsions; But It Is, that He Should Know the Causes of Good ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/the enchiridion/

Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... And now, what with strifes between men and masters, which are banishing trade from
England, and what with political convulsions, which unhinge everything, the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/creations groans and the saints.htm

My Creed Leads Me to Think that Prayer is Efficacious...
... great work upon earth. The great throes and mighty convulsions on earth are
the results of these prayers. Earth is changed, revolutionised ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter i my creed leads.htm

Convulsions (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Convulsions (4 Occurrences). Mark 1:26 So the foul spirit,
after throwing the man into convulsions, came out of him with a loud cry. ...
/c/convulsions.htm - 7k

Convulsion (8 Occurrences)
... And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions,
so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ...
/c/convulsion.htm - 9k

Youth (169 Occurrences)
... And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions,
so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. (WEY). ...
/y/youth.htm - 37k

Gog (12 Occurrences)
... His coming, which had been prophesied by the seers of Israel, shall be
accompanied by a theophany and great convulsions in Nature. ...
/g/gog.htm - 14k

Foul (41 Occurrences)
... screamed out: (WEY). Mark 1:26 So the foul spirit, after throwing the man into
convulsions, came out of him with a loud cry. (WEY). Mark 1 ...
/f/foul.htm - 21k

Fit (47 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy
or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion ...
/f/fit.htm - 23k

Threw (133 Occurrences)
... And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions,
so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ...
/t/threw.htm - 34k

Throwing (29 Occurrences)
... fisherman. (WEY). Mark 1:26 So the foul spirit, after throwing the man into
convulsions, came out of him with a loud cry. (WEY NAS). ...
/t/throwing.htm - 14k

Rolled (38 Occurrences)
... And the spirit, when he saw Jesus, immediately threw the youth into convulsions,
so that he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. ...
/r/rolled.htm - 18k

Coo (1 Occurrence)

/c/coo.htm - 7k

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