Luke 5:18 kjv

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 5:18 nkjv

Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.

Luke 5:18 niv

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.

Luke 5:18 esv

And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,

Luke 5:18 nlt

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus,

Luke 5 verses

Luke 5 18 Meaning

Luke 5:18 describes the dramatic entrance of a paralyzed man, carried by his friends on a mat. It highlights their extraordinary faith, persistence, and determination to bring the afflicted man into the presence of Jesus. The verse sets the stage for Jesus' demonstration of divine authority, revealing that true healing involves not only the body but also the soul. Their action demonstrates active love for their neighbor and an unwavering conviction that Jesus possessed the power to restore what was broken.

Luke 5 18 Context

Luke 5:18 immediately follows Jesus' highly impactful public ministry. Prior to this, Jesus healed a leper (Lk 5:12-16) and spent time teaching large crowds. The scene described takes place in Capernaum, Jesus' adopted hometown, likely in a house that was overcrowded due to Jesus' growing fame. Luke 5:17 specifically notes the presence of "Pharisees and teachers of the Law... from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem." Their presence indicates an increasing scrutiny and an implicit challenge to Jesus' authority, setting the stage for the conflict that immediately arises after the healing. This particular healing miracle is also recorded in Matthew 9:1-8 and Mark 2:1-12, highlighting its significance across the synoptic Gospels. Historically and culturally, houses in this region often had flat roofs accessible by external staircases, which the friends would exploit to bring the man before Jesus, indicating a desperate, unconventional, yet divinely directed method.

Luke 5 18 Word analysis

• And, behold (καὶ ἰδοὺ – kai idou): This Greek phrase, frequent in Luke and Matthew, serves to draw immediate attention to what follows. It signifies a remarkable or unexpected event about to unfold, emphasizing divine activity or a significant turn in the narrative.
• men (ἄνδρες – andres): Implies several individuals, indicating a collective effort. The identity of these men is not given, focusing instead on their united purpose and faith rather than their individual recognition. They are companions driven by compassion.
• brought (ἔφερον – epheron): Imperfect tense of phero, suggesting a continuous, ongoing action or effort. They "were bringing," indicating the arduous process of transport.
• in a bed (ἐπὶ κλίνης – epi klines): A simple "mat" or "stretcher." This highlights the man's complete dependence and physical inability. The kline was the primary means of moving such a severely afflicted person, signifying the burden they carried for him.
• a man which was taken with a palsy (ἄνθρωπον ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος – anthropon hos en paralelymenos): "Paralyzed" or "lame." This describes a severe physical disability, rendering the person immobile and utterly helpless, representing a profound human need for divine intervention. In the ancient world, such a condition was often linked with sin or divine judgment, adding a layer of spiritual context.
• and they sought means (καὶ ἐζήτουν – kai ezetoun): From zeteo, meaning "to seek, to search, to desire." This verb in the imperfect tense conveys persistent, earnest, and continuous effort. They weren't merely trying but actively searching for a way, demonstrating their determination.
• to bring him in (εἰσενεγκεῖν αὐτὸν – eisenegkein auton): From eisphero, meaning "to bring in." Their goal was to get him inside the house, not just to the vicinity, but specifically to the immediate presence of Jesus.
• and to lay him before him (καὶ θεῖναι ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ – kai theinai enopion autou): "To place him directly in front of Jesus." Theinai implies deliberately setting something down, while enopion emphasizes a direct, face-to-face presentation. This reveals their singular focus: they believed healing lay specifically in encountering Jesus himself, showing profound faith in His personal power and authority. This physical act represents a spiritual desire to lay the paralytic's helplessness directly at the feet of the Lord.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy": This opening vividly paints a scene of a profound physical need being met by selfless human effort. The "behold" creates an immediate dramatic tension. The communal action of "men brought" underscores the idea of collective responsibility and love, bringing one who could not help himself to the only source of true help.
• "and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him": This phrase emphasizes the intentionality and tenacity of the friends. The repetition of verbs of action and intention ("sought means," "bring in," "lay him before") highlights their relentless pursuit despite obstacles. "To lay him before him" encapsulates their deep belief in Jesus' personal power, making direct access to Him their ultimate objective, overriding any social norms or physical barriers.

Luke 5 18 Bonus section

• This act of persistence and overcoming physical barriers by breaking through a roof, which is more clearly detailed in Mark's Gospel (Mk 2:4), foreshadows the disruptive nature of the Kingdom of God. It shows that desperate faith for a higher spiritual good may require unconventional, even socially unacceptable, methods.
• The "men" bringing the paralyzed man represent the principle of intercession and compassionate evangelism, where believers act as conduits, carrying the burden of others and bringing them into the life-transforming presence of Jesus. Their faith was crucial, acting as a catalyst for the paralytic's encounter with Christ.
• The condition of paralysis can be seen metaphorically as humanity's spiritual inability and helplessness before sin, highlighting the need for Christ to empower us to "rise" and "walk" spiritually. The efforts of the friends point to the spiritual responsibility believers have to aid those who are spiritually "paralyzed" and cannot come to Jesus on their own.

Luke 5 18 Commentary

Luke 5:18 powerfully illustrates faith that is active, collective, and undeterred by obstacles. It is not merely a mental assent but a resolute determination that takes concrete, even unconventional, action. The friends of the paralyzed man embodied a desperate hope and practical love, circumventing societal norms and physical barriers to bring their helpless friend to the only one they believed could provide a remedy. Their relentless pursuit of Jesus' presence, to literally "lay him before Him," reveals their profound conviction in His authority and compassion. This act of faith sets the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His ultimate power, not only over physical ailments but also over the deeper spiritual malady of sin, a connection that challenged the religious leaders of the time. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of intercessory ministry, sacrificial love for the hurting, and the truth that persistent faith, especially when united, can pierce through every human limitation to encounter divine power.