Luke 5:19 kjv
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.
Luke 5:19 nkjv
And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
Luke 5:19 niv
When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, 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.
Luke 5:19 esv
but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.
Luke 5:19 nlt
but they couldn't reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
Luke 5 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 2:3-4 | And they came, bringing unto him one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof... | Parallel account, same determined faith |
| Mt 9:2 | And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed... | Parallel account, bringing to Jesus |
| Lk 5:20 | And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. | Jesus' immediate response to their faith |
| Mk 9:23 | Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. | Power of belief and faith |
| Jas 2:17-18 | Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. | Faith demonstrated through action |
| Heb 11:6 | But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. | Faith as a prerequisite for God's favor |
| Rom 10:14 | How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? | Bringing others to hear/experience Christ |
| Gal 6:2 | Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. | Supporting others in their need |
| Rom 15:1-2 | We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. | Helping the weak, building up others |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. | Using gifts to serve others |
| Prov 27:17 | Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. | Friendship, mutual improvement |
| Ecc 4:9-10 | Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow... | Benefit of companionship and mutual help |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. | Overcoming obstacles through God's strength |
| Rom 8:31 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | Assurance in God's support despite obstacles |
| Lk 5:17 | And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by... | Context of opposition and scrutiny |
| Acts 3:1-10 | A certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple... | Example of a paralytic needing external help |
| Lk 7:6-9 | Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself... | Example of faith through others, not present |
| Jn 5:7-9 | The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool... | Contrast: this paralytic had supportive friends |
| 1 Cor 12:26 | And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. | Body of Christ, mutual care |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. | Bold access to God despite barriers |
| Jn 14:6 | Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. | Jesus is the direct path, even an "unconventional" one |
| Eph 2:18 | For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. | Direct access to God through Christ |
Luke 5 verses
Luke 5 19 Meaning
This verse describes the determined effort of the paralytic's friends to bring him before Jesus for healing. Faced with an impenetrable crowd, they resourcefully accessed the roof of the house and, making an opening through its structure, lowered the man directly into the presence of Jesus. It highlights their unwavering faith and their willingness to go to extraordinary lengths to bring their friend to the Lord.
Luke 5 19 Context
Luke chapter 5 opens with Jesus' increasing popularity and authority. He performs the miraculous catch of fish, leading to the call of Simon Peter, James, and John as disciples. Following this, Jesus heals a man full of leprosy, further cementing His reputation and drawing large crowds. The scene in verse 19, detailing the paralytic's healing, continues this narrative of Jesus' powerful ministry. At this point, scribes and Pharisees, representatives of Jewish religious authority, are actively observing Jesus, questioning His teachings and actions. This verse specifically describes the extraordinary means by which a paralyzed man, aided by his four friends, gained access to Jesus through a house crowded with people, including these watchful religious leaders. Culturally, houses in ancient Galilee often had flat roofs made of layers of timber, brushwood, and compacted earth, sometimes topped with clay tiles. These roofs were sturdy enough to be walked on and typically accessed by an external staircase. To break through such a roof to lower a bed was an unconventional and desperate act, revealing immense faith and urgency.
Luke 5 19 Word analysis
"And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude,"
- they: Refers to the four friends carrying the paralytic (explicitly mentioned in Mk 2:3). This highlights a collective, communal effort.
- could not find: Signifies a complete blockage of conventional access. No entry was possible through standard means.
- multitude (Greek: ochlos): Indicates a large, disorderly, press of common people. Jesus' popularity was such that crowds physically blocked movement.
- bring him in: Their clear, focused objective—to get their friend to Jesus. This reflects intercessory action.
"they went upon the housetop,"
- they went: Active, decisive action despite the impossibility below.
- housetop (Greek: doma): The flat roof of a typical Galilean house. Used for various purposes but not normally for dramatic entrances. This shows resourcefulness and a deviation from typical decorum.
"and let him down through the tiling with his couch"
- let him down: Required significant effort, coordination, and physical strength.
- through the tiling (Greek: keramon): This could refer to ceramic tiles or the broader sense of the roofing material (clay, mud, or plaster over beams and brushwood). The implication is an actual breaking, removing, or digging through of the roof. This act was drastic, publicly visible, and likely caused property damage, showing an incredible determination born of urgent faith.
- with his couch (Greek: klinidion): A small bed, mat, or stretcher on which the paralytic lay. The fact that he was lowered with his bed underscores his complete inability to move himself and the physical challenge for his friends.
"into the midst before Jesus."
- into the midst (Greek: meson): Directly into the center of the room, likely where Jesus was teaching and surrounded by people, including the observing religious leaders. This was not a subtle entry but a dramatic, unignorable display.
- before Jesus: The ultimate goal achieved—direct access to the source of healing and authority.
Luke 5 19 Bonus section
The actions in Luke 5:19 inherently challenge established religious and social norms. The breaking open of a roof was not only physically disruptive but potentially financially costly for the homeowner, yet Jesus does not rebuke them. This implicitly approves a priority of human need and faith over material concerns or adherence to rigid rules. This event is a clear example of what Christian scholar have discussed: the kingdom of God often breaks into human systems in unconventional ways. Furthermore, the presence of the Pharisees and doctors of the law (Lk 5:17) who "were sitting there, come out of every village... and from Jerusalem" signifies the growing scrutiny of Jesus. This act of "defacing" the roof and the public interruption created an undeniable spectacle, drawing maximum attention from both believers and critics to Jesus' next action and assertion of authority.
Luke 5 19 Commentary
Luke 5:19 vividly illustrates an extraordinary act of faith and perseverance. The friends of the paralytic demonstrate a faith that is not passive but dynamic and active, willing to surmount significant obstacles. The immense crowd, a physical barrier, represents the many things that can stand between a person in need and the grace of Christ, be they human difficulties, social norms, or spiritual complacency. Their ascent to the rooftop and the literal "breakthrough" signify a determined refusal to accept limitations or traditional ways. They bypassed human barriers and decorum, going directly to Jesus, embodying the truth that persistent and unconventional faith can create a pathway to divine intervention. This powerful example underscores the intercessory role believers can play, advocating for others and physically bringing them to the feet of the Healer. The dramatic arrival also sets the stage for Jesus to immediately address not only the physical paralysis but the spiritual reality of sin, highlighting His unique authority to forgive, which the religious leaders could not comprehend.