In the biblical context, paralytics are individuals who suffer from paralysis, a condition that renders them unable to move certain parts of their body. This condition is mentioned in several passages of the New Testament, where Jesus Christ performs miraculous healings, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.

Biblical Accounts

1. Healing of the Paralytic in Capernaum: One of the most notable accounts of a paralytic being healed by Jesus is found in the Synoptic Gospels. In Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, and Luke 5:17-26, Jesus is teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum. Four men bring a paralytic to Him, unable to reach Jesus due to the crowd. They lower the man through the roof. Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). The scribes question this in their hearts, and Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asks which is easier, to forgive sins or to say, "Get up, take your mat, and walk" (Mark 2:9). To demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, Jesus commands the paralytic to rise, take his mat, and go home, which he does, astonishing the onlookers.

2. Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: In John 5:1-15, Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. The man is lying by the Pool of Bethesda, where many disabled people wait for the stirring of the waters, believed to bring healing. Jesus asks him, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). The man explains his inability to reach the pool in time. Jesus then commands him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk" (John 5:8). Immediately, the man is healed and obeys Jesus' command, which leads to controversy with the Jewish leaders because the healing occurs on the Sabbath.

3. Healing of the Paralytic in Lydda: In Acts 9:32-35, Peter, one of Jesus' apostles, heals a paralytic named Aeneas in the town of Lydda. Aeneas had been bedridden for eight years. Peter says to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed" (Acts 9:34). Aeneas immediately rises, and all who live in Lydda and Sharon see him and turn to the Lord.

Theological Significance

The healing of paralytics in the New Testament serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates Jesus' compassion and willingness to heal those who are suffering. Secondly, these miracles affirm Jesus' divine authority, as He not only heals physical ailments but also forgives sins, a prerogative of God alone. The healing acts as a sign pointing to Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the coming of one who would heal the sick and restore the broken (Isaiah 35:5-6).

Furthermore, the healing of paralytics often leads to a broader spiritual awakening among witnesses. The physical restoration of the paralytic becomes a metaphor for spiritual renewal and the transformative power of faith in Christ. The response of the crowds, who glorify God and are filled with awe, underscores the impact of these miracles on the early Christian community and their role in spreading the Gospel message.

Faith and Healing

The accounts of paralytics being healed emphasize the importance of faith. In the case of the paralytic lowered through the roof, it is the faith of the man's friends that prompts Jesus to act. This highlights the communal aspect of faith and the role of intercession. The healings also illustrate that faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust in Jesus' power and authority.

In summary, the biblical accounts of paralytics being healed by Jesus and His apostles reveal the compassionate nature of God, the authority of Christ, and the transformative power of faith. These narratives continue to inspire believers to seek both physical and spiritual healing through faith in Jesus Christ.3885. paralutikos -- paralytic
... paralysis. Word Origin from paraluo Definition paralytic NASB Word Usage
paralytic (8), paralytics (1), paralyzed (1). a paralytic. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3885.htm - 6k

First Greek Form.
... many cures on that day: he made the blind receive their sight, the lame walk; he
raised up the dead, he cleansed the lepers; he healed paralytics that were not ...
/.../the report of pilate concerning our lord jesus christ/first greek form.htm

Second Greek Form.
... He made the blind see; he cleansed lepers; he raised the dead; he healed paralytics
who could not move at all, except that they only had their voice, and the ...
/.../the report of pilate concerning our lord jesus christ/second greek form.htm

And in the Morning of that Day He Went Out Very Early...
... ills had befallen through divers diseases, and those that were enduring torment,
and those that were possessed, and lunatics, [537] and paralytics; and he ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section vii and in the.htm

Pilate, Hearing These Words of Annas and Caiaphas, Laid them all ...
... while I was procurator, he had come into Jud??a, and when they saw him enlightening
the blind, cleansing the lepers, curing the paralytics, making demons flee ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 13 29 pilate hearing.htm

John Chapter iv. 18-Jan
... eyes of the blind, that were opened by those acts of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, were again closed in death; and limbs of the paralytics that received ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xvii john chapter iv.htm

John v. 14
... righteous?" ( Job 60.8 , LXX.). But why is it that in the case of these
paralytics Christ bringeth forward their sins? For He saith ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxviii john v 14.htm

Above All, Moreover, He Will Love the Nation of the Jews. ...
... And then he will work wonders, cleansing lepers, raising paralytics, expelling demons,
proclaiming things remote just as things present, raising the dead ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxiii above all moreover.htm

Spiritual Epileptics.
... our Saviour then healed among the people, refers to different disorders in souls,
it is also in accordance with reason that by the paralytics are symbolised ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/4 spiritual epileptics.htm

Peter's Thanksgiving.
... Stating these and such like things, they bring to him those distressed with sicknesses,
and tormented with demons, paralytics also, and those suffering diverse ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxix peters thanksgiving.htm

Miracles.
... He is the true God whom Peter preaches, suddenly an overpowering light of the grace
of God appeared in the midst of the people; and the paralytics being cured ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxx miracles.htm

Paralytics (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Paralytics (2 Occurrences). Matthew 4:24 The
report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to ...
/p/paralytics.htm - 7k

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)
... to all Syria, and they brought to him all having ailments, pressed with manifold
sicknesses and pains, and demoniacs, and lunatics, and paralytics, and he ...
/p/paralyzed.htm - 9k

Paralytic (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 8:7 For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed by them,
and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to health. ...
/p/paralytic.htm - 10k

Various (52 Occurrences)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. ...
/v/various.htm - 22k

Lunatics (1 Occurrence)
... and they brought to him all that were ill, suffering under various diseases and
pains, and those possessed by demons, and lunatics, and paralytics; and he ...
/l/lunatics.htm - 6k

Thus (1271 Occurrences)
... all Syria; and they brought all the sick to Him, the people who were suffering from
various diseases and pains--demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He cured ...
/t/thus.htm - 33k

Report (127 Occurrences)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. ...
/r/report.htm - 38k

Restored (77 Occurrences)
... (WEY WBS). Acts 8:7 For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed
by them, and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to health. (WEY). ...
/r/restored.htm - 29k

Epileptics (1 Occurrence)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. ...
/e/epileptics.htm - 6k

Epileptic (2 Occurrences)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. ...
/e/epileptic.htm - 7k

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