ἀνάπηρος (anapēros)
anapēros
crippled
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective anapēros describes a person who is physically disabled or maimed in their limbs. Derived from a prefix implying intensity and a root meaning "maimed," it refers specifically to injury that results in the loss or impairment of a body part, rather than general sickness or weakness.
This term appears only twice in the New Testament, both within Luke 14:13 and 21. In these verses, Jesus uses it to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of God by inviting those who are physically impaired to a great banquet. The word highlights a specific social reality where such individuals might be excluded from communal gatherings.
Translators typically render anapēros as "crippled" or "disabled." While modern English often prefers more neutral language, the Greek term carries the concrete weight of physical limitation. Its rare usage in Scripture underscores the radical inclusivity of Jesus’ invitation, which explicitly names those with bodily impairments as central guests.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anapēros describes a person whose limbs are impaired or maimed, often resulting in a visible physical limitation. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both within Jesus’ parable of the great banquet in Luke chapter 14. Here, the term is not used to describe illness or general weakness, but specifically those with bodily injuries that restrict movement.
Jesus uses this concrete image to challenge social norms of His time. By commanding the host to invite the anapēros, He highlights a radical inclusivity in the kingdom of God. This invitation suggests that your worth is not tied to physical ability or social status, but to your presence at the table.
For your faith life, this word offers a profound reminder of grace. It shows that God’s kingdom welcomes those who are often overlooked by society. You can find comfort in knowing that Jesus’ invitation extends to every person, regardless of their physical condition or how they appear to the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crippled1×
- [the] crippled,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναπείρους,1×
- ἀναπείρους1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 14:13
But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind;
This verse establishes the command to include those with physical impairments in communal feasts, directly linking hospitality to the specific group described by anapēros.
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Luke 14:21
“That servant came, and told 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 the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.’
The master’s anger at the servant’s failure emphasizes that excluding the maimed is a rejection of the host’s true intent for the banquet.