Matthew 9:3 is the third verse of the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament in the Christian Bible. In most English translations, the verse reads:
“And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat.” (New Revised Standard Version)
Context and Literary Setting
The verse occurs within the narrative of Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum. It follows verse 2, in which Jesus is described as seeing the faith of those bringing the paralytic, and precedes verse 4, which records Jesus’ declaration, “Your sins are forgiven.” The passage is part of a larger pericope (Matthew 9:1‑8) that recounts the healing of a man suffering from paralysis.
Textual Tradition
The verse appears in all major Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of Matthew. The Greek text of the verse reads:
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἤνεγκαν αὐτῷ παραλυτῆν ἐπὶ κλίνην
Transliterated: kai idou ēnēgkan autō paralytēn epi klinēn.
The wording is consistent across the majority of textual families (e.g., Alexandrian, Byzantine). Minor variations, such as the presence or absence of the article before “paralytic,” are documented in some early papyri but do not affect the overall meaning.
Interpretive Notes
Scholars note that the term “παραλυτῆν” (paralytēn) denotes a person afflicted with loss of motor function, typically understood as a medical condition now identified as paralysis. The phrase “ἐπὶ κλίνην” (epi klinēn) indicates that the individual was lying on a mattress or stretcher, suggesting that his companions transported him to Jesus for healing.
The verse contributes to the theological theme of faith and divine authority that characterizes Matthew’s Gospel. The act of bringing the paralytic is often interpreted as an expression of communal faith in Jesus’ healing power.
Canonical Significance
Matthew 9:3 forms part of the synoptic tradition; a parallel account is found in Mark 2:3 and Luke 5:18. Comparative studies highlight minor differences in narrative detail among the three Gospels, but the core event—bringing a paralytic to Jesus—is consistent.
Usage in Liturgical and Scholarly Contexts
The verse is frequently cited in liturgical readings, especially on days emphasizing healing and forgiveness. In biblical scholarship, it is referenced in discussions of first‑century Jewish concepts of illness, the role of faith in miracle narratives, and the literary structure of Matthew’s Gospel.