In the biblical context, the term "crippled" refers to individuals who are physically disabled or impaired, often unable to walk or move freely. The Bible contains several accounts of crippled individuals, highlighting both their physical challenges and the spiritual lessons derived from their experiences.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, being crippled is often associated with physical imperfection, which in some contexts, disqualified individuals from certain religious duties. For example, Leviticus 21:18-20 lists various physical defects, including being crippled, that would prevent a descendant of Aaron from offering sacrifices: "No man who has any defect may approach: no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed."

Despite these restrictions, the Old Testament also emphasizes God's compassion and care for the disabled. In 2 Samuel 9, King David shows kindness to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, by restoring his grandfather Saul's land to him and allowing him to eat at the king's table. This act of mercy reflects the biblical principle of caring for the marginalized and disadvantaged.

New Testament References

The New Testament presents a more direct engagement with the crippled, particularly through the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' miracles often involved healing the physically disabled, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. In Matthew 15:30-31, large crowds bring the lame, blind, crippled, mute, and many others to Jesus, and He heals them: "The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel."

One of the most notable accounts is found in John 5:1-9, where Jesus heals a man who had been crippled for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus asks the man if he wants to be healed, and upon the man's affirmative response, Jesus commands him to "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." This miracle not only restores the man's physical ability but also serves as a testament to Jesus' power to transform lives.

The early church continued this ministry of healing through the apostles. In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John heal a man crippled from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. Peter declares, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" (Acts 3:6), and the man is immediately healed, leaping and praising God. This miracle leads to a powerful witness of the gospel, as it draws attention to the apostles' message and the power of Jesus' name.

Theological Implications

The biblical accounts of crippled individuals and their healing carry profound theological implications. They illustrate the brokenness of the human condition and the hope of restoration through divine intervention. The physical healing of the crippled serves as a metaphor for spiritual healing and redemption, pointing to the ultimate restoration that believers anticipate in the kingdom of God.

Furthermore, these narratives underscore the value and dignity of every human being, regardless of physical ability. The Bible consistently calls for compassion, inclusion, and care for those who are marginalized, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of crippled individuals and their healing is a powerful testament to God's compassion, the transformative power of faith, and the hope of restoration through Jesus Christ.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Cripple.

2. (a.) Lamed; lame; disabled; impeded.

2948. kullos -- crippled
... crippled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kullos Phonetic Spelling:
(kool-los') Short Definition: crippled, lame Definition: crippled, lame ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2948.htm - 6k

376. anaperos -- to leap up
... to leap up. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anaperos Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ap'-ay-ros) Short Definition: crippled, maimed Definition: crippled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/376.htm - 5k

376b. anaperos -- anaperos
... anaperos. Transliteration: anaperos Short Definition: crippled. Word Origin variant
reading for anapeiros, qv NASB Word Usage crippled (2). 376a, 376b. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/376b.htm - 5k

5223. nakeh -- smitten, stricken
... 5222, 5223. nakeh. 5224 . smitten, stricken. Transliteration: nakeh Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-keh') Short Definition: crippled. Word ...
/hebrew/5223.htm - 6k

5384. nasheh -- a vein (or nerve) in the thigh
... which shrank. From nashah, in the sense of failure; rheumatic or crippled (from
the incident to Jacob) -- which shrank. see HEBREW nashah. 5383, 5384. ...
/hebrew/5384.htm - 6k

A Living Sacrifice.
... pew. Back there, sitting alone, was a little girl of a poor family. She
had met with a misfortune which left her crippled. And her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a living sacrifice.htm

The Cardinal was Still in his Room Alone with the Boy Manuel...
... the while he laid a gently caressing hand on her hair""Another little friend has
come to me who is also very sad,"and though he is not crippled or ill, he ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vi the cardinal was still.htm

part 1
... the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian
enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 1.htm

Asking and Receiving
... family. The crippled, the weak, and the sick children have a right to
ask the heavenly Father for the living bread from heaven. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 10 asking and receiving.htm

A Changed Life
... It is not necessary to describe the bondage; it is true, alas, that many of us are
sadly crippled in our influence because of these things, for this woman was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a changed life.htm

First Day. Compassion.
... millions abroad"the heathendom which lies unsuccored at your own door"the public
charity languishing"the mission staff dwarfed and crippled from lack of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/first day compassion.htm

Rash Decisions.
... Mephibosheth had sent the present, and Ziba had promised to tell David why his master
could not come with him, because he was crippled in both his feet, and ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xli rash decisions.htm

Skirting the Abyss
... mother. While I was with her a very old man hobbled in. He was crippled,
and leaned full weight with both hands on his stick. He ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxv skirting the abyss.htm

Six Months' Record
... as he neared the house, the crowd filled him with wonder; progress was hindered,
and as perforce he paused for a moment, his eye fell on a crippled lad crying ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/six months record.htm

Argument: Octavius Attests the Fact that Men were Adopted as Gods ...
... do they not argue the contemptible and disgraceful characters of your gods? [1787]
Vulcan is a lame god, and crippled; Apollo, smooth-faced after so many ages ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxi argument octavius attests the.htm

Crippled (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Cripple. 2. (a.) Lamed; lame; disabled;
impeded. Multi-Version Concordance Crippled (15 Occurrences). ...
/c/crippled.htm - 11k

Cripple (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To deprive of strength, activity, or capability for service or use; to disable;
to deprive of resources; as, to be financially crippled. Int. ...
/c/cripple.htm - 7k

Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in hand or foot than to remain
in possession of two sound hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages ...
/t/thrown.htm - 37k

Possession (251 Occurrences)
... It is better for you to enter into Life crippled in hand or foot than to remain
in possession of two sound hands or feet but be thrown into the fire of the Ages ...
/p/possession.htm - 41k

Crowds (62 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:30 Soon great crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were crippled
in feet or hands, blind or dumb, and many besides, and they hastened to ...
/c/crowds.htm - 24k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... or muscle. 2. (superl.) To some degree disabled by reason of the imperfect
action of a limb; crippled; as, a lame man. 3. (superl ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Invite (20 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB WEY DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Luke 14:13 But when you entertain, invite
the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/invite.htm - 12k

Rather (176 Occurrences)
... It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having
two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. ...
/r/rather.htm - 36k

Examined (16 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man,
by what means this man has been healed, (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/e/examined.htm - 11k

Entertain (8 Occurrences)
... your hearts? (See NIV). Luke 14:13 But when you entertain, invite the poor,
the crippled, the lame, and the blind; (WEY). Acts 24:15 ...
/e/entertain.htm - 12k

What is a spirit of infirmity? | GotQuestions.org

How do we honor an abusive parent? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.org

Crippled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus