Definition: And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 4:24. It’s a really important passage about Jesus’ ministry! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus was healing people who were sick, possessed by demons, or had physical problems. Let's unpack each part: “And his fame went throughout all Syria…” – This means that as Jesus traveled and preached, his reputation started spreading far and wide. “Syria” is a region in the Middle East, which was then a large area encompassing parts of modern-day Turkey and Lebanon. So it’s like a ripple effect of his healing and good deeds spreading out. “…and they brought unto him…” – People were coming to Jesus with their problems. They weren't just asking for help; they were bringing him requests. "...all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments..." - This is a broad category of people who were experiencing physical suffering. It included people with things like: Illness: They had infections, fever, etc. Pain: People were hurting themselves physically. Torment: This could mean anything from a deep ache to a spiritual affliction – something that was causing them great distress. "...and those which were possessed with devils..." - This refers to people who were under the control of evil spirits (demons). It suggests they were experiencing fear, anxiety, or other distressing feelings caused by these spirits. "...and those which were lunatick..." – This is a more figurative term meaning “crazy” or “unstable.” It describes someone experiencing mental illness. "...and those that had the palsy..." - This refers to people who had physical problems, specifically neurological issues like palsy (a condition affecting the muscles of the face and neck). "...and he healed them." – Jesus performed miracles – physically healing people with his touch. So, what's the big takeaway? This verse shows that Jesus was a powerful healer and that his ministry wasn’t just about teaching or preaching; it was also about offering comfort and restoration to those who were suffering. In short, Jesus was actively bringing relief and healing to people experiencing physical, emotional, and spiritual difficulties. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Give some examples of how this might have been interpreted at the time?