Genuine Leather Bible

Palsy is a general term which can refer to various types of paralysis. In the Bible it seems to be used for various types of conditions having to do with motor control or lack of feeling. This could be a permanent or temporary paralysis. It could also be related to seizures. Some translations of the Bible use the word paralytic.

Palsy could affect the whole body, one side or just a single limb or digit.

Of course there are many diseases today which still bear the name palsy. Wikipedia has a list of some of the common ones.

Palsy

One type of neurological problem that might be called palsy is catalepsy which is a condition of the nervous system. It is a muscular stiffness which is usually accompanied with a lack of feeling or sensitivity to pain stimulus. It can be a symptom of epilepsy or a disease like Parkinson’s.

The most common use of the word palsy in the Bible is the story of the man who was brought to Jesus and let down through the roof of a house by his friends. This story is found in Matthew 9, Mark 2 and Luke 5.

Besides this man, there is a story of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant who had palsy in Matthew 8. Peter also healed a man with palsy in Acts 9.

In all the above cases the word used for palsy is παραλυτικός (paralytikos) and παραλύω (paralyo). These are similar words that mean a relaxing of the muscles or a general weakness. The idea of the Greek word is that it is along one side of the body.

Withered

In Matthew 12 a man with a withered hand was healed by the Lord. The word in that instance is one that means to dry up. Specifically it can be applied to a body part that has not gotten the proper fluids. This is the word ξηρός (xeros). Though this is not the word palsy, it could be related to catalepsy mentioned above.

[Illustration image is part of a Bible story pack from FreeBibleImages.]

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Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:

—Luke 23:46

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Because the timeline of the events on the cross is a compilation of the various accounts by the four Gospel writers, it is uncertain whether this one or “it is finished” was the last statement of Christ on the cross. Either way, Christ has now come to the point where He addresses God as Father once again, and not as a God who has forsaken Him.

The word commend is an entrusting or depositing of one’s resources into the care of another. It carries with it the idea of a voluntary surrender of something to someone else. In the Bible it is more often translated “set before” as in to place food in front of someone for their use. Jesus was handing over His spirit to the Father’s complete control.

As the Son of God, Jesus had complete confidence in what lay before Him. There was no fear of death. He had even said before that no one could take His life from Him; He freely laid it down (John 10:18). In that same verse He says that He has the power to take it up His life again. His assurance in death was that He and His Father were in complete control of the events.

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It is finished.

—John 19:30

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Words with such finality, yet full of comfort.

Throughout the book of John Jesus says that His time is not complete yet (John 2:4; 7:6; etc.). He still has work to do. However, on the cross He says that His work is complete. He has finished what He came to do.

I also think back two chapters to the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Jesus said that the time had come for God to glorify the Son so that He could glorify the Father. Part of Jesus work was done. He said that He had completed the task that God had given Him. Obviously not everything was complete at that point because Jesus had not died. But each step of the way Jesus was completing the tasks God had given Him.

On the cross Jesus says that the work He was sent to do was complete. The sin debt had been paid. He had done His work of reconciling man to God. He fulfilled the law in His life and opened a way that we could have access to God through Him. What a glorious statement: It is finished!

While His work of redemption is complete, I am also thankful to know that He still has plans. We can read the Scriptures and see that He has a future planned for us and that because of His work on Calvary, we can have an eternal future with Him.

Praise God!

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I thirst.

—John 19:28

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Two simple words that can mean so much. I have read how people want to spiritualize these words and what they mean. But, I think the simple answer is just as powerful.

The fact that Jesus was God in human flesh is fundamental to what Christians believe. This is yet another example of how Christ showed His humanity. He was hanging on a cross with real pain. As a man, Christ was thirsty.

These two words in John are preceded by the phrase, “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith…” As the divine author of the Bible, Jesus knew the scriptures. He either said these words because He knew the scriptures. Or, as the inspiration behind the Bible, He had the Psalmist write his prophecy because He knew He would utter these words from the cross.

 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

—Psalm 69:21

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Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

—Matthew 27:46

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These words in Aramaic are a reference to Psalm 22. If you read the entire Psalm you will see the events in David’s life being played out in the life of the Savior. While David is writing about what has happened to him, it is prophetic of what would happen to the Lord on the cross.

His lips were parched. His garments were won by wager. People shook their heads and said that Christ should trust in God to deliver him. All these words (and more) are found both in the account of Christ on the cross as well as in Psalm 22.

Then we are told later in Matthew 27 that the people thought he was calling for Elijah (Elias). They said to leave Christ alone and let Elijah come to His aid.

Psalm 22 ends with a glorious proclamation by David. Sure many horrible things had happened to him, but he was confident in God that all would be made right. He knew that God was the Victor. God would overcome the enemy.

Psalm 22:25-31

25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

28 For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.

29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the LORD for a generation.

31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.