μαλακία (malakia)
malakia
sickness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun malakia refers to physical weakness or sickness. In the New Testament, it describes bodily infirmity rather than moral softness. Matthew uses this term three times to summarize Jesus’ ministry. He heals every disease and malakia among the people (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 10:1). The word captures the general state of frailty that Christ came to restore.
Its root adjective means soft or tender. In classical Greek, it could describe effeminacy. However, the New Testament follows the Septuagint usage. There, it translates Hebrew words for illness or sickness. This context strips away moral overtones. It focuses purely on physical vulnerability and the need for healing.
Translators typically render malakia as "sickness" or "disease." This choice highlights the tangible nature of Jesus’ compassion. He did not ignore physical pain. The term shows that his authority extended to every form of human weakness. It stands alongside other words for illness in Matthew’s gospel narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word malakia points to the raw reality of physical frailty. In Matthew’s gospel, it appears alongside other terms for disease to show that Jesus did not bypass human suffering. He met people in their weakest moments, offering restoration to bodies that felt broken or tired.
This focus on sickness reminds us that faith is not only about spiritual truths but also about tangible care. When we see Jesus healing every malakia, it shows His compassion reaches into our physical pain. You do not have to hide your weakness from Him; He sees the whole person.
His ministry invites us to trust in a Savior who cares for both soul and body. In times of illness or fatigue, we can look to His example of gentle strength and find hope in His power to restore.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sickness2×
- sickness.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μαλακίαν2×
- μαλακίαν.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
This verse sets the pattern for Jesus’ public ministry by pairing teaching with healing, showing that spiritual truth and physical care are connected.
-
Matthew 9:35
Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Here the phrase is repeated as Jesus moves through cities, emphasizing that His compassion was consistent across different communities and settings.
-
Matthew 10:1
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
Jesus extends this authority to the disciples, showing that caring for the sick is a central part of sharing the Good News with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does malakia mean in the New Testament?
How is malakia different from other words for disease?
Why does Matthew use this word three times?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Matthew 3 verses
Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing…
Matthew 9:35Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the…
Matthew 10:1He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal…