Paralysis, Paralytic, Paralyzed

Paralysis is a symptom of a disease of the central nervous system. A paralytic experiences temporary or permanent loss of sensation and/or voluntary muscle control in one or more areas of the body. In the case of permanent loss, an affected individual is paralyzed.

This degenerative condition was considered incurable. A few cases of paralysis are mentioned in the New Testament. All occur in connection with Christ’s healing ministry.

Paralytics sought Jesus’s healing in Galilee (Matthew 4:24). Some paralytics were among the sick at Bethesda in Jerusalem (John 5:3). Philip cured some paralytics in Samaria (Acts 8:7). Luke described the paralyzed servant of the centurion as very sick and at the point of death (Luke 7:2). This man was probably the victim of an often-fatal form of paralysis that begins in the legs and spreads upward through the rest of the body.

The paralytic at Capernaum was most likely suffering from paraplegia, a paralysis of the lower half of the body (Matthew 9:2, 6; Mark 2:3–10; Luke 5:18, 24). This disease may have come from an injury at birth or from damage to the spinal cord. Aeneas, whom Peter healed at Lydda, may also have suffered from paraplegia (Acts 9:33).

See also Disease; Medicine and Medical Practice.