Palsy
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Palsy in the Bible?
Palsy is a historical term denoting paralysis, defined as the loss of muscle function or motor control in one or more parts of the body.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing palsy as a medical condition describing physical paralysis allows readers to distinguish between the neurological impairments depicted in biblical texts and the spiritual or miraculous interventions attributed to Jesus and the apostles, thereby clarifying the nature of the healing narratives within their first-century context.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Palsy. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Palsy in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Palsy clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Palsy." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/palsy/