Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. It is one of the most common neurological conditions, affecting around 50 million people worldwide. While epilepsy is well understood today as a medical condition, it was more mysterious in ancient times. This leads to an interesting question – is epilepsy mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible does not directly use the word “epilepsy,” as that term was not in use during Biblical times. However, there are several references to seizures and convulsions that are likely describing epilepsy. Here is an overview of some of the main Biblical passages that scholars believe could be referring to epilepsy:
Matthew 17:14-18 – Jesus Heals a Boy with Seizures
This passage describes a boy who is “an epileptic” (some translations say “lunatic”) who suffers terribly from seizures. The boy’s father brings him to Jesus, saying the disciples could not heal the boy. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit in the boy and the boy is healed.
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.
(Matthew 17:14-18 ESV)
This passage clearly describes a boy with severe epilepsy seizures. The reference to the demon and unclean spirit reflects the ancient belief that seizures were caused by supernatural forces. Jesus healing the boy by driving out the demon shows his power over afflictions of this type.
Mark 9:17-27 – Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
The Gospel of Mark describes the same event as Matthew, with additional details. The father describes the boy’s afflictions as follows:
And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.
(Mark 9:17-18 ESV)
These detailed symptoms sound like severe epileptic seizures. As in Matthew’s account, Jesus rebukes the spirit and heals the boy completely.
Luke 9:37-43 – Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
Luke’s account also describes Jesus healing a boy possessed by an unclean spirit:
And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.
(Luke 9:37-39 ESV)
Again, this passage describes a boy with symptoms consistent with epilepsy. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the child.
John 5:1-9 – Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
The Gospel of John describes Jesus healing a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda:
One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
(John 5:5-9 ESV)
While this passage does not include details pointing specifically to epilepsy, some scholars believe this man could also have been afflicted with epileptic seizures that led to his paralysis.
Matthew 4:23-24 – Jesus Heals Those with Seizures
In the Gospel of Matthew, there is a summary description of the various illnesses Jesus healed:
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.
(Matthew 4:23-24 ESV)
Here “those having seizures” are specifically mentioned among those Jesus healed. This shows that healing people with seizures was a noted part of Jesus’ ministry.
Causing Seizures as Judgment or Affliction
In addition to healing seizures, the Bible contains a few examples of God causing seizures or similar afflictions as a form of judgment:
- When the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, God caused the Philistines to be afflicted with tumors and rats overran their country (1 Samuel 5). Some scholars believe the tumors could have been caused by seizures.
- After David sinned by counting his army, God gave him a choice of punishments. One of the options was “three years of famine” which the Book of Chronicles clarifies would be a “pestilence” causing seizures (1 Chronicles 21:12).
- Zechariah 14:12 describes God afflicting the enemies of Jerusalem: “their flesh shall rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes shall rot in their sockets, and their tongue shall rot in their mouth.” Some interpret this as describing seizures.
So in the Bible, seizures are not always just a medical condition but can also reflect spiritual battles or God’s judgment on sin.
New Testament Views on Epilepsy and Healing
In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles take a compassionate stance toward people with illnesses like epilepsy. Jesus frequently heals those afflicted with seizures, seeing their suffering as part of the fallen human condition he came to redeem. Jesus treated the boys with seizures the same way he treated anyone else in need of healing, offering them mercy and restoration.
The New Testament authors do not speculate on the exact causes of the seizures, which were not well understood medically at the time. Occasional references to demons and unclean spirits reflect first century beliefs that supernatural forces caused these symptoms. However, the biblical emphasis is on Jesus’ power to heal these conditions and end the suffering of those afflicted.
Some key principles emerge from these passages:
- Illnesses like epilepsy grieve the heart of God, as suffering and death entered the world through sin.
- Compassion should be shown to those suffering afflictions through no fault of their own.
- Healing seizures and other conditions demonstrates Christ’s power and mercy.
- Spiritual forces of darkness can sometimes be at work behind physical afflictions.
- Complete healing and restoration will ultimately come fully when Christ returns.
So the New Testament presents epilepsy and other conditions primarily as opportunities for Christ to display his healing power and forgiveness. The focus is not on speculation about causes or details of the conditions themselves.
Healing and Epilepsy Today
How should Christians today think about epilepsy in light of these biblical passages? A few applications emerge:
- We should continue to pray for healing for those with epilepsy today, as we believe God still hears and answers prayer.
- We can have compassion for what they go through, treating them with dignity and support.
- We should avoid viewing epilepsy only as a spiritual affliction, recognizing it as a medical condition doctors can treat.
- Our hope remains in Christ to ultimately heal all those who suffer from chronic conditions and disabilities.
- We can walk in faith, pray for healing, and seek medical help as good stewards of the bodies God gave us.
In summary, the Bible gives us both revelation and principles to apply to epilepsy. We see God’s compassion for those who suffer and his power to heal. We also gain wisdom for how the church can understand both the spiritual and medical sides of this condition. As we care for those with epilepsy today, we follow Jesus’ model of offering them mercy, comfort and community.