κράβαττος

a bed, mattress, mat

Definition

κράβαττος refers to a simple, portable bed or mat, often made of straw or a thin mattress, used by the poor and sick in the ancient world. In the Gospels, it specifically denotes the pallet or stretcher upon which a paralyzed man was carried (Mark 2:4, 9, 11-12) and upon which the sick were laid in public places in hopes of Jesus' healing (Mark 6:55). The term emphasizes the object's humble, functional nature, distinct from a formal bed. In John 5:8-10, it is the mat the healed man at Bethesda is commanded to carry, which becomes a point of controversy on the Sabbath.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Gospels of Mark and John, always in narratives of Jesus' healing miracles. It appears in contexts where the sick or paralyzed are carried on these mats, highlighting their immobility and dependence. A clear pattern is its association with Jesus' authority to forgive sins and heal, as seen in the paralytic's story (Mark 2:1-12), and with Sabbath controversy, as in John 5:8-10. The word underscores the physical reality of the infirmity and the tangible evidence of the miracle when the person picks it up and walks.

Etymology

The word κράβαττος is of uncertain origin, likely a loanword, possibly from a non-Greek source. It is not derived from a classical Greek root, which may reflect its association with common, everyday objects of the lower classes. Its meaning remained consistent in Koine Greek as a simple bed or pallet.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it is intimately tied to Jesus' miracles of healing and his authority. The κράβαττος symbolizes the burden of sickness and sin from which Jesus liberates individuals. When Jesus commands the paralyzed man to 'take up your κράβαττος and walk' (Mark 2:11), it is a public demonstration of complete restoration and a sign of the forgiveness of sins. The controversy over carrying it on the Sabbath (John 5:10) further highlights Jesus' lordship over religious law and his mission to bring wholeness. Understanding this humble object enriches the narrative by emphasizing the concrete, physical reality of salvation and new life granted by Christ.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, a κράβαττος was not a piece of bedroom furniture but a poor person's sleeping mat, often made of cheap materials like straw or cloth. It was lightweight and portable, allowing the sick to be carried by others. This contrasts with a modern 'bed,' which is typically a permanent, raised structure. Its use in the Gospels reflects the poverty and vulnerability of many who sought Jesus' help, and its portability was essential for bringing the infirm into his presence.

κλίνη (klinē, G2825) — a more general term for a couch, bed, or bier, often implying something more substantial or used for reclining at meals. κοίτη (koitē, G2845) — typically denotes a bed for sleeping or a marriage bed, with stronger connotations of rest or sexual relations.

Word Details

Scripture References