Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy 

During a breakfast hosted by a Pharisee in Philadelphia, Jesus addressed a group of about 40 men, including Pharisees from various cities. The event, which occurred on a Sabbath during Jesus' Perean tour in February 30 CE, became significant when Jesus healed a man suffering from dropsy, despite the criticisms from some Pharisees. Jesus used this miracle to teach about compassion and humility, contrasting the legalistic attitudes of his critics with the essence of his teachings on the Kingdom.

Jesus and the apostles were still busy with the Perean tour in February 30 CE. So far, there had been no miracles performed except that of the ten lepers. But that was about to change.

On a Sabbath morning in Philadelphia, Jesus attended a breakfast that was given by a Pharisee who had become a believer in Jesus because of Abner’s teachings. Along with Jesus, this Pharisee had invited a number of his Pharisee friends and others who had come in from Jerusalem and other cities. There were about 40 men at this breakfast that had been arranged especially for the Master.

There was a bit of awkwardness at the beginning because a prominent Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, was presumed to take the place of honor at the table to the left of the host. He didn’t realize that that place and the other place of honor, to the host’s right, had been reserved for Jesus and Abner. At this time, Jesus and Abner were still by the door, talking together. The host indicated to this Pharisee that he was to move down a few places, which caused him to be quite offended.

These Pharisees were a mixed group. Most of them were either believers or at least friendly to Jesus. However, some of them who were not friendly observed Jesus carefully, and they noticed that the Master did not wash his hands in the ritualistic way that was expected. Nevertheless, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

The meal progressed, and near the end, a man came in off the street. He was afflicted with a chronic disease that had progressed until he was now afflicted with dropsy (a condition that causes the tissue underneath the skin to swell up abnormally with fluid. It can affect the feet and legs but sometimes affects the whole body). The man had been baptized by Abner, and Jesus knew that he had come because, having gotten away from the crowds that always followed Jesus, he might have a better chance of healing. He knew how bad he looked, and he hoped that Jesus would notice and take pity on him. And he was not to be disappointed.

Jesus did notice him; but so did the sanctimonious Pharisee who had been offended earlier. This Pharisee voiced his resentment that such a man should be allowed into the room. Jesus, though, smiled in a kindly way at the man, which encouraged him to move closer and sit near Jesus on the floor. Jesus gave the sick man a look while saying to the guests: “My friends, teachers in Israel, and learned lawyers, I would like to ask you a question: Is it lawful to heal the sick and afflicted on the Sabbath day, or not?” But no one answered him. They all knew better than to say a word.

So, Jesus went to the man with dropsy and took him by the hand. He said to him: “Arise and go your way. You have not asked to be healed, but I know the desire of your heart and the faith of your soul.”

Jesus walked back to his seat and began addressing those at the table: “Such works my Father does, not to tempt you into the kingdom, but to reveal himself to those who are already in the kingdom. You can perceive that it would be like the Father to do just such things because which one of you, having a favorite animal that fell in the well on the Sabbath day, would not go right out and draw him up?”

Again, no one spoke, so Jesus continued instructing all of those present, especially the Pharisees who were so arrogant: “My brethren, when you are bidden to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat, lest, perchance, a more honored man than you has been invited, and the host will have to come to you and request that you give your place to this other and honored guest. In this event, with shame you will be required to take a lower place at the table. When you are bidden to a feast, it would be the part of wisdom, on arriving at the festive table, to seek for the lowest place and take your seat therein, so that, when the host looks over the guests, he may say to you: `My friend, why sit in the seat of the least? come up higher,' and thus will such a one have glory in the presence of his fellow guests. Forget not, everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, while he who truly humbles himself shall be exalted. Therefore, when you entertain at dinner or give a supper, invite not always your friends, your brethren, your kinsmen, or your rich neighbors that they in return may bid you to their feasts, and thus will you be recompensed. When you give a banquet, sometimes bid the poor, the maimed, and the blind. In this way, you shall be blessed in your heart, for you well know that the lame and the halt cannot repay you for your loving ministry.”