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paralytic

Paralysis (Gk. paralutikos, "loosened," (Mt 4:24; 9:2; etc.).

Paralysis comes from several causes:

(1) Inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. In the East this is specially common in infancy, and in many cases leads to partial paralysis, as of the shoulder, arm, one or both legs, and sometimes the nerve of speech or hearing, or both.

(2) Injuries of the spinal column. These are more apt to occur in adult life.

(3) Pressure from curvature of the spine, or from tumors or other cause.

(4) Apoplexy. The paralysis from the latter cause is sometimes cured. That from the others is incurable.

The cases brought to Jesus were undoubtedly of the incurable sort and probably involved at least the lower limbs.