In the biblical context, paralysis is often depicted as a physical ailment that signifies a deeper spiritual need for healing and restoration. The condition of being paralyzed is mentioned in several passages, primarily in the New Testament, where it serves as a backdrop for the miraculous healing power of Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not explicitly mention paralysis, it does address various physical ailments and disabilities. These conditions are often seen as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power and compassion. The Law of Moses provided guidelines for the care and inclusion of those with physical disabilities, reflecting God's concern for all individuals, regardless of their physical condition.

New Testament Accounts

The New Testament provides several accounts of Jesus healing those who were paralyzed, demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual realms. One of the most notable accounts is found in the Gospel of Matthew:

· 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 highlights the dual nature of Jesus' healing ministry—addressing both physical ailments and spiritual needs. The healing of the paralytic serves as a testament to Jesus' divine authority and His ability to forgive sins, which is a central tenet of Christian faith.

· Mark 2:3-12 : This account parallels the account in Matthew, emphasizing the faith of those who brought the paralytic to Jesus. The narrative underscores the importance of faith in receiving healing and forgiveness.

· Luke 5:18-26 : Luke's account adds further detail, noting the determination of the paralytic's friends who lowered him through the roof to reach Jesus. This act of faith is met with both physical healing and the forgiveness of sins, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of Christ's redemptive work.

Theological Implications

In these accounts, paralysis is not merely a physical condition but also a metaphor for spiritual immobility and the need for divine intervention. The healing of paralytics by Jesus is a powerful demonstration of His messianic mission to restore humanity to wholeness. It illustrates the belief that faith in Christ can lead to both physical and spiritual renewal.

Paralysis in Early Church Teachings

The early Church Fathers often interpreted the healing of paralytics as symbolic of the transformative power of the Gospel. They saw these miracles as evidence of the new life offered through Christ, who empowers believers to overcome spiritual paralysis and live in the freedom of God's grace.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the accounts of Jesus healing the paralyzed serve as a reminder of the importance of faith and the comprehensive nature of Christ's healing. They encourage Christians to seek both physical and spiritual restoration through prayer and trust in God's power. The accounts also inspire believers to act as conduits of God's love and healing, bringing others to Christ through acts of compassion and faith.

The Return to Capernaum - Concerning the Forgiveness of Sins - the ...
... CHAPTER XVI. THE RETURN TO CAPERNAUM - CONCERNING THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS - THE
HEALING OF THE PARALYSED. (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26.) ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the return to.htm

The Third Miracle in John's Gospel
... poor man, sick and impotent for eight and thirty years"many of which he had spent,
as it would appear, day by day, wearily dragging his paralysed limbs to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the third miracle in johns.htm

The New Testament Has Hindered the Natural Impulse to Give to the ...
... This condition of things gradually affected Dogmatics, and with the narcotic of
Scriptural authority paralysed the intellect in its restless search for truth. ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 11 the new testament.htm

Carried by Four
... Yet when you three have happily combined, it may be the poor paralysed one is not
yet affected savingly; a fourth may be needed, who, with deeper affection ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/carried by four.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... The race of such inquisitors is not extinct. They contrast, too, with the
earnestness of the four friends who brought the paralysed man. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

The Cords of Sin
... It is we ourselves who have paralysed our wills, so that we see the light of God
but as a faint gleam far away, and dare not move to follow the gleam. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the cords of sin.htm

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
... LEPER. CHAPTER XVI. THE RETURN TO CAPERNAUM - CONCERNING THE FORGIVENESS
OF SINS - THE HEALING OF THE PARALYSED. CHAPTER XVII. THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/

Chastisements.
... The narrative is singularly silent about him. He seems paralysed by the
consciousness of his past sin; he originates nothing. He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

Sabbath Cure at Bethesda.
... worst case in the waiting-room, so is the eye of Jesus speedily fixed on "a man
which had an infirmity thirty and eight years," a man paralysed apparently in ...
/.../xii sabbath cure at bethesda.htm

Joseph and Nicodemus
... While Christ lived, these two men had been unfaithful to their convictions; but
His death, which terrified and paralysed and scattered His avowed disciples ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/joseph and nicodemus.htm

Paralysed (5 Occurrences)
...Paralysed (5 Occurrences). Luke 5:18 And lo, men bringing upon a couch a man who
was paralysed; and they sought to bring him in, and put him before him. (DBY). ...
/p/paralysed.htm - 7k

Couch (55 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Luke 5:18 And lo, men bringing upon a couch a man who was paralysed; and
they sought to bring him in, and put him before him. (DBY YLT). ...
/c/couch.htm - 25k

Parallel (6 Occurrences)

/p/parallel.htm - 10k

Paralysis (1 Occurrence)

/p/paralysis.htm - 9k

Drooping (2 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Droop. Multi-Version Concordance Drooping (2 Occurrences). Hebrews
12:12 Therefore strengthen the drooping hands and paralysed knees, (WEY RSV). ...
/d/drooping.htm - 7k

Bringing (288 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 5:18 And lo, men bringing upon a couch a man who was paralysed; and
they sought to bring him in, and put him before him. (DBY RSV). ...
/b/bringing.htm - 35k

Strengthen (105 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS). Hebrews 12:12 Therefore strengthen the
drooping hands and paralysed knees, (WEY NAS RSV NIV). James ...
/s/strengthen.htm - 37k

Lying (203 Occurrences)
... (YLT RSV). Acts 9:33 And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been
lying for eight years upon a couch, who was paralysed. (DBY). ...
/l/lying.htm - 44k

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