Luke 5:18

And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought [means] to bring him in, and to lay [him] before him.

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, men {G435} brought {G5342} in {G1909} a bed {G2825} a man {G444} which {G3739} was {G2258} taken with a palsy {G3886}: and {G2532} they sought {G2212} means to bring {G1533} him {G846} in {G1533}, and {G2532} to lay {G5087} him before {G1799} him {G846}.

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. They wanted to bring him inside and lay him in front of Yeshua,

Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus,

And behold, men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

Luke 5:18 introduces a powerful scene demonstrating faith, perseverance, and the compassionate power of Jesus Christ. This verse sets the stage for one of Jesus' most remarkable miracles and teachings.

Context

This event takes place in Capernaum, likely in a house so packed with people eager to hear Jesus that there was no room left, not even at the door. Among the crowd were Pharisees and doctors of the law who had come from every town of Galilee, Judaea, and Jerusalem, indicating the widespread attention Jesus was drawing. The atmosphere was charged with expectation, as the power of the Lord was present to heal. This narrative is also famously recounted in Mark 2:3-4 and Matthew 9:2, providing additional details about the friends' resourceful actions.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Faith: The verse highlights the extraordinary faith of the men carrying the paralytic. Their determination to bring their friend to Jesus, despite the physical barriers, speaks volumes about their belief in His ability to heal. This active faith is what Jesus ultimately responds to.
  • Perseverance and Resourcefulness: The phrase "they sought means to bring him in" underscores their relentless pursuit. Faced with an impassable crowd, they did not give up but found an unconventional way to present their friend before Jesus.
  • Community and Compassion: This passage beautifully illustrates the power of supportive friendship. These men acted as intercessors, literally carrying their friend's burden and making immense effort on his behalf. Their compassion drove their actions.
  • Jesus' Authority: While the healing occurs in subsequent verses, this verse establishes the situation that allows Jesus to demonstrate His divine authority, not only over physical ailments but also over sin.

Linguistic Insights

The man was "taken with a palsy" (Greek: paralytikos), indicating he suffered from paralysis, a condition that left him utterly dependent on others. The KJV phrase "sought means to bring him in" effectively translates the Greek sense of actively searching for and finding a way, emphasizing their ingenuity and resolve in the face of obstacles.

Practical Application

Luke 5:18 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Bring Others to Jesus: Just as these friends brought the paralytic, we are called to bring those in need—whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually—into the presence of Christ. This can be through prayer, sharing the Gospel, or simply being a supportive friend.
  • Overcome Obstacles with Faith: Life presents many barriers. This story encourages us to exercise persistent faith and creative solutions when seeking God's intervention, trusting that with God nothing shall be impossible.
  • The Power of Intercession: The actions of these friends serve as a powerful example of intercessory prayer and action. Our efforts on behalf of others can open doors for God's miraculous work in their lives, as seen in Jesus' response to their faith in Luke 5:20.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:2

    And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

  • Matthew 9:8

    But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

  • Mark 2:3

    And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

  • Mark 2:12

    And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

  • Acts 9:33

    And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

  • John 5:5

    And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

  • John 5:6

    When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

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