νόσος (nosos)

The Greek word nosos refers simply to a physical illness or disease. In the New Testament, it appears eleven times, primarily within the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It serves as the standard term for bodily affliction, often appearing in lists alongside other forms of suffering such as paralysis or demonization. This usage mirrors its appearance in the Septuagint, where it translates Hebrew words for sickness.

While nosos describes the condition itself, it is distinct from astheneia, which emphasizes weakness or infirmity resulting from that condition. The sources note this synonymy but maintain a clear focus on the disease as the primary subject. Jesus’ ministry frequently addresses nosos directly, demonstrating authority over physical ailments rather than merely managing symptoms.

Key passages illustrate this pattern clearly. Matthew 4:23 and 9:35 describe Jesus healing every disease among the people, while Mark 1:34 records Him curing many who were sick with various illnesses. These accounts present nosos not as a theological puzzle but as a tangible reality that Christ actively heals, reflecting the compassion central to His earthly ministry.