The Greek word, παραλύω, to loosen, shows that the disease was paralysis. Persons thus afflicted were brought to the Lord on beds or couches. Matthew 9:2-6; Mark 2:3-10; Luke 5:18,24; Acts 8:7; Acts 9:33 . The paralysed were a type of that thorough human helplessness which can be relieved and raised up by God only.