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.
LUKE 5:18KJVWhat does Luke 5:18 mean?
Luke 5:18 describes a group of men bringing a paralyzed man on a bed, trying to find a way to place him before Jesus. The verse highlights their determination to get the man close to Jesus, hoping for help or healing.
In this scene, Luke is narrating to his readers about an event during Jesus’ ministry. Jesus is inside a house, teaching, and these men are carrying their friend who cannot walk. The verse sets up the story by showing the effort and faith of the friends as they search for a way to reach Jesus despite the obstacles.
The Greek behind Luke 5:18
- ἀνὴρ (anēr): This word means "man," and it often refers specifically to an adult male. Here, it emphasizes that the person being carried is a grown man, not a child.
- παραλελυμένος (paralelumenos): This is translated as "taken with a palsy," meaning the man is paralyzed. The Greek word carries the sense of someone whose body is weakened or disabled, making the need for help and healing clear.
- ζητοῦντες (zētountes): This word means "they sought" or "they were seeking." It shows ongoing effort, not just a single attempt, highlighting the persistence of the friends in trying to bring the man to Jesus.
Why Luke 5:18 matters
- Luke 5:18 sets up the dramatic moment that follows, where the friends go to great lengths—eventually lowering the man through the roof—to get him to Jesus.
- The verse emphasizes the faith and determination of the paralyzed man's friends, which becomes a key point in the story as Jesus responds not just to the man's need but to their faith.
- This verse helps readers see the practical challenges people faced when trying to reach Jesus, underlining how crowded and sought-after his presence was during his ministry.