Brief Overview of παραλυτικός (Strong’s G3885: paralytikos)

This Greek term refers to a person who is paralyzed or suffering from paralysis. It appears 10 times in the New Testament, primarily in healing narratives where Jesus demonstrates His divine power and compassion.

U – Unveiling the Word

παραλυτικός is derived from παραλύω (to loosen/disable) and refers to someone affected by paralysis. Its significance in the New Testament extends beyond medical description, representing both physical ailment and spiritual restoration through Christ’s healing ministry. Today, it remains relevant in discussions of divine healing, disability theology, and medical terminology.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραλυτικός, paralytikos, /par-al-oo-tee-KOS/
• Etymology: From παραλύω (paraluō, “to loosen beside/disable”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (used substantively as a noun)

D – Defining Meanings

Primary meaning: One who is paralyzed; a paralytic person

Secondary meaning: Suffering from muscular weakness or disability

Extended meaning: One who is disabled or incapacitated physically

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χωλός (chōlos): Means “lame” but specifically refers to limping or foot disabilities
• ἀνάπηρος (anapēros): Refers to various physical disabilities, not just paralysis
• παραλελυμένος (paralelymenos): Participle form meaning “having been paralyzed”

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As an adjective used substantively, παραλυτικός exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine
• Declension: Second declension

Example morphological changes:

• Nominative singular: παραλυτικός
• Genitive singular: παραλυτικοῦ
• Dative singular: παραλυτικῷ
• Accusative singular: παραλυτικόν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its medical usage and frequency in healing narratives. Thayer’s notes its technical precision in describing paralysis. LSJ provides medical context from ancient sources. Vine’s connects it to divine healing accounts. Moulton and Milligan cite medical papyri using this term.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance: Matthew 4:24

“So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics [παραλυτικούς], and he healed them.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραλυτικός represents a precise medical term for paralysis that gained spiritual significance through Jesus’s healing ministry, demonstrating both technical accuracy and theological meaning.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term influenced modern medical terminology, leading to words like “paralysis”
2. It appears in all three Synoptic Gospels’ healing accounts
3. Ancient medical texts used this term in surprisingly accurate neurological descriptions

Strong’s G3885: παραλυτικός – An adjective used as a noun, referring to one who is paralyzed. Appears in significant healing narratives demonstrating Christ’s power and compassion. Technical medical term adopted by Gospel writers to precisely describe conditions Jesus healed.

Part of Speech: Adjective (used substantively)

Tags: #MedicalTerm #Healing #MiracleNarratives #GospelVocabulary #DisabilityLanguage #DivinePower #AncientMedicine

Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations independently.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​