Disability

Disability is not a term used in the Bible, which speaks instead of the blind, the deaf, the lame and the infirm. This page lists the verses on people with disabilities, care and justice for them, and Jesus healing them.

Made by God

• Exodus 4:11
  And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
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• John 9:1-3
  ¹And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, ²And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.
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Care and justice

• Leviticus 19:14
  Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.
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• Deuteronomy 27:18
  Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.‘Cursed is he who lets a blind man wander in the road.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
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• Luke 14:13-14
  ¹³But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, ¹⁴And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
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• Luke 14:21
  So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
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Kindness to Mephibosheth

• 2 Samuel 9:3-7
  ³And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” ⁴And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo–debar.“Where is he?” replied the king. And Ziba said, “Indeed, he is in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” ⁵Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo–debar.So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. ⁶Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!And when Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell facedown in reverence. Then David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. ⁷And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
  Show context · Read 2 Samuel 9 →
• 2 Samuel 9:13
  So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was lame in both feet.
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Jesus healed

• Matthew 11:5
  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
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• Matthew 15:30-31
  ³⁰And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them. ³¹Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
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• Mark 7:32-35
  ³²And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.Some people brought to Him a man who was deaf and hardly able to speak, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him. ³³And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). ³⁵And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.Immediately the man’s ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.
  Show context · Read Mark 7 →
• Acts 3:6-8
  ⁶Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” ⁷And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.
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Weakness and worth

• 2 Corinthians 12:9
  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
  Show context · Read 2 Corinthians 12 →
• 1 Corinthians 12:22
  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
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The promise of restoration

• Isaiah 35:5-6
  ⁵Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. ⁶Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
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• Revelation 21:4
  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
  Show context · Read Revelation 21 →

See also

• Healing
• Suffering
• Kindness
• Hospitality

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.