Luke 5:19

And when they could not find by what [way] they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with [his] couch into the midst before Jesus.

And {G2532} when they could {G2147} not {G3361} find {G2147} by {G1223} what {G4169} way they might bring {G1533} him {G846} in {G1533} because {G1223} of the multitude {G3793}, they went {G305} upon {G1909} the housetop {G1430}, and let {G2524} him {G846} down {G2524} through {G1223} the tiling {G2766} with {G4862} his couch {G2826} into {G1519} the midst {G3319} before {G1715} Jesus {G2424}.

but they couldn't find a way to get him in because of the crowd. So they went up onto the roof and lowered him on his mattress through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, right in front of Yeshua.

but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

Commentary

Luke 5:19 describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the extraordinary faith of a paralytic man's friends. Faced with an impenetrable crowd, these determined individuals found an unconventional way to bring their friend before Jesus, demonstrating profound perseverance and belief in His power.

Context

This event takes place in Capernaum, where Jesus was teaching in a house, likely packed to capacity with a multitude of people, including Pharisees and doctors of the law who had come from all over Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem (Luke 5:17). The house would have been a typical Middle Eastern dwelling with a flat roof, often accessed by an external staircase. These roofs were commonly constructed with beams, brushwood, and compacted earth or clay, sometimes topped with tiles, which could be removed or broken through with significant effort.

Key Themes

  • Extraordinary Faith and Determination: The friends' actions speak volumes about their unwavering faith. They refused to be deterred by the physical barrier of the crowd, believing that only Jesus could help their friend. Their creative solution underscores the idea that genuine faith often leads to bold, unconventional action.
  • Overcoming Obstacles: The narrative emphasizes the lengths to which these men went. The "multitude" represented a significant obstacle, but their resolve to bring the paralytic to Jesus transcended conventional methods. This serves as an encouragement to persist in prayer and effort even when circumstances seem impossible.
  • The Power of Intercession: This account beautifully illustrates the power of friends bringing someone to Christ. It was their faith that Jesus saw (Luke 5:20), leading to the paralytic's healing and forgiveness. This highlights the importance of spiritual support and advocacy for others.
  • Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins: While the immediate need was physical healing, Jesus' first action was to declare the paralytic's sins forgiven (Luke 5:20). This provoked controversy among the religious leaders (Luke 5:21), but powerfully demonstrated Jesus' divine authority over both physical ailments and spiritual brokenness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "tiling," which translates the Greek keramon (κεράμων). This refers to the roof tiles or perhaps the hardened clay or mud roofing material common in that region. The act of "letting him down through the tiling" implies a significant and disruptive effort, reinforcing the depth of their commitment. The "couch" (Greek klinidiou, κλινιδίου) refers to a small, portable bed or mat, suitable for carrying a sick person.

Reflection and Application

Luke 5:19 challenges believers today to consider the obstacles we might face in bringing others to Jesus. Are we willing to go beyond the ordinary, to be creative and determined, when conventional methods fail? The story encourages us to cultivate a faith that is not easily deterred and to actively intercede for those in need, believing that Jesus has the power to address both their physical and spiritual conditions. It reminds us that sometimes, the most profound spiritual breakthroughs come through unconventional and persistent acts of faith, much like the friends who broke through a roof to reach Jesus.

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Cross-References

  • Mark 2:4 (8 votes)

    And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

  • Matthew 10:27 (2 votes)

    What I tell you in darkness, [that] speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, [that] preach ye upon the housetops.

  • Deuteronomy 22:8 (2 votes)

    When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

  • Jeremiah 19:13 (1 votes)

    And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

  • Matthew 24:17 (1 votes)

    Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

  • 2 Samuel 11:2 (1 votes)

    And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.