Luke 5:19

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 2 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
εὑρόντες find G2147
εὑρόντες find
Strong's: G2147
Word #: 3 of 28
to find (literally or figuratively)
διὰ because G1223
διὰ because
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 4 of 28
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ποίας what G4169
ποίας what
Strong's: G4169
Word #: 5 of 28
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
εἰσενέγκωσιν in G1533
εἰσενέγκωσιν in
Strong's: G1533
Word #: 6 of 28
to carry inward (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸν him G846
αὐτὸν him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 7 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
διὰ because G1223
διὰ because
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 8 of 28
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλον of the multitude G3793
ὄχλον of the multitude
Strong's: G3793
Word #: 10 of 28
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἀναβάντες they went G305
ἀναβάντες they went
Strong's: G305
Word #: 11 of 28
to go up (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ upon G1909
ἐπὶ upon
Strong's: G1909
Word #: 12 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δῶμα the housetop G1430
δῶμα the housetop
Strong's: G1430
Word #: 14 of 28
properly, an edifice, i.e., (specially) a roof
διὰ because G1223
διὰ because
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 15 of 28
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεράμων the tiling G2766
κεράμων the tiling
Strong's: G2766
Word #: 17 of 28
earthenware, i.e., a tile (by analogy, a thin roof or awning)
καθῆκαν and let G2524
καθῆκαν and let
Strong's: G2524
Word #: 18 of 28
and ???? (to send); to lower
αὐτὸν him G846
αὐτὸν him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 19 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
σὺν with G4862
σὺν with
Strong's: G4862
Word #: 20 of 28
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 21 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κλινιδίῳ his couch G2826
κλινιδίῳ his couch
Strong's: G2826
Word #: 22 of 28
a pallet or little couch
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 23 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 24 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μέσον the midst G3319
μέσον the midst
Strong's: G3319
Word #: 25 of 28
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
ἔμπροσθεν before G1715
ἔμπροσθεν before
Strong's: G1715
Word #: 26 of 28
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 27 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 28 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

When could not find by what way they might bring him because multitude went upon housetop let him down through tiling with couch into midst before Jesus. Could not find ouch heurontes no way. By what way poias impossible. Might bring eisenegkōsin get him inside. Because dia with accusative due to. Multitude ochlon crowd. Went anabantes ascended climbed. Upon housetop epi to dōma roof. Let down kathēkan lowered. Through dia with genitive by means of. Tiling keramōn roof tiles. With couch syn tō klinidiō on stretcher. Into midst eis to meson center. Before enōpion in front of. Jesus tou Iēsou. Extraordinary faith finds extraordinary means. Roof access via external stairs. Dug through mud plaster (Mark) or removed tiles (Luke). Lowered friend interrupting teaching. Bold faith does not wait for permission. Urgent need demands immediate action. Reformed theology recognizes God blesses bold faith. Abraham interceded for Sodom. Jacob wrestled with God. Canaanite woman persisted. Persistent faith honors God.

Historical Context

This interruption must have been dramatic. Teaching ongoing suddenly roof opening paralytic lowered. Jesus did not rebuke interruption but commended faith. Modern church sometimes values order over urgency. Proper reverence good but should not prevent desperate souls from reaching Jesus. This account demonstrates creative faith obstacles do not deter true believers. Later church history many examples of creative evangelism. Francis of Assisi preached to birds when denied access to churches. Reformers used printing press music art to spread gospel. Modern missions uses technology media innovation. Methods may be unconventional as long as message is biblical. Form flexible content fixed.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Bible Stories