κλινίδιον

a couch or litter

Definition

A κλινίδιον is a small bed, couch, or pallet, specifically a portable sleeping mat or litter used for carrying a person. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to the portable mat or stretcher upon which a paralyzed man is carried by his friends (Luke 5:19, 24). This object is lightweight enough to be carried by multiple people and even lowered through a roof, yet sturdy enough to support an adult. It is essentially a simple, functional cot for the sick or infirm.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in Luke 5:19 and 5:24, within the narrative of Jesus healing a paralyzed man in Capernaum. In both verses, it refers to the specific mat or pallet on which the man is lying when his friends lower him through the roof to reach Jesus. The usage highlights the man's complete dependence and inability to move on his own, setting the stage for Jesus's healing of both his physical paralysis and his sins.

Etymology

κλινίδιον is a diminutive form derived from the Greek word κλίνη (klinē, G2825), which means 'bed' or 'couch.' The diminutive suffix -ίδιον indicates a smaller or more humble version of the object. Thus, κλινίδιον essentially means 'a little bed' or 'a small couch,' fitting its description as a simple, portable sleeping mat rather than a full-sized bed.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant because it represents human helplessness and the necessity of faith in action. The paralyzed man on the κλινίδιον is utterly dependent, both physically and spiritually. His friends' act of carrying and lowering the mat demonstrates intercessory faith, which Jesus honors (Luke 5:20). Furthermore, Jesus's command for the healed man to 'pick up your κλινίδιον and go home' (Luke 5:24) is a powerful, visible proof of the completeness of his healing and forgiveness, turning the symbol of weakness into a testimony of restored strength and authority.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, such a κλινίδιον was a common, humble item used by the poor or sick who could not afford a proper bed. It was likely a simple mat of woven reeds or cloth, easily rolled up and carried. This contrasts with a more permanent κλίνη, which could be a raised bed or dining couch. Understanding its portability and simplicity clarifies the dramatic physical effort of the friends in Luke 5:19 and makes Jesus's command to carry it away a tangible sign of newfound strength.

κλίνη (klinē, G2825) — A more general term for a bed, couch, or even a dining couch; often a more substantial, stationary piece of furniture. κράββατος (krabbatos, G2895) — Another term for a pallet or poor man's bed; used in parallel accounts of this story (Mark 2:4, 9, 11-12; John 5:8-12), often considered a synonym in this context.

Word Details

Scripture References