HE WAS A SUPERNATURAL HEALER!
Christians defend their regular use of physicians based on just 2 verses. The first one is the primary subject of this article and found in Colossians 4:14. A few translations use ‘doctor’.
Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. ESV
The second one is mistranslated in all English translations and occurs in Luke, Mathew and Mark. I will use Luke for this example of a powerful error as he will come in to play again.
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Lk 5:31-32 KJV
When I first read this verse many years ago, I knew it was a lie. Spending most of my adult working life as a physician assistant, and then coming to the truth that “Jesus heals but the physician collects the fee,” I knew that Jesus would never have said that the sick need a “physician.” Besides the fact that physicians have minimal capacity to heal anything in this century (much less so 2000 years ago) it just does not line up with God’s word in Exodus 15:26 or Deuteronomy 32:39. So, I decided to study the Greek word, Iatros.
I was already familiar with the root word. Used in medical papers, it applies to medical errors. When an injury or death is caused by a physician’s error, it is called iatrogenic injury. The application always seemed appropriate to me, but in studying Biblical Greek words, and recognizing that all medical error (diagnostic or treatment) is iatrogenic, I soon came to learn that Iatros should be translated as ‘healer’, or ‘one who heals’. Dictionary.com and most other Greek-English dictionaries give the Greek origin of the word as follows.
ORIGIN OF IATRO- <Greek, combining form of iātrós healer, equivalent to iâ(sthai) to heal + -tros noun suffix
Few English translations use a word-for-word (literal) format. My research discovered that even the commonly known literal translation Bibles have used ‘physician’ instead of ‘healer’. It is unknown whether physician/doctor was used merely to distinguish between a secular versus a divine healer, or whether the translators saw no significant difference in user understanding. However, from both a theological viewpoint – and a medical science viewpoint – there are substantial differences between ‘physician’ and ‘healer’.
While the original writers (Mathew, Luke, Mark) could not have imagined what types of healers might be available to humans in the 20th and 21st centuries, God did know. So, if I am veracious to call the mistranslation of iatros a “powerful error,” then the unimaginable consistency of this common error seen in all English translations could be from God Himself. Paul said it “error” would happen.
9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion (ERROR) so that they believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment MAY come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
This powerful delusion prophesied in these verses by Paul appears to be what Christians are witnessing now at the end of the church age. How was this delusion effected by God? Look now at the HELPS Word-studies definition of the Greek word translated as ‘delusion’ in verse 11.
Cognate: 4106 plánē (a feminine noun derived from 4105 /planáō) – deviant behavior; a departure from what God says is true; an error (deception) which results in wandering (roaming into sin).
So, consider how near we are to the Tribulation. Most would agree we are very close. Also, consider the strong similarities between the sorcerers (pharmakos) present in Biblical times and the allopathic medical practitioners (physicians) of today, the obvious mistranslation of iatros appears to be a deliberate effort by God Himself to condemn or judge Christians who “refused the love of the truth.” Paul also prophesied a time such as this.
3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 1 Timothy 4:2-4
Now I am going to reveal how deep this error (mistranslation) goes as we look closer at the original word meanings in the major Biblical references. First, look at the definition in Strong’s Concordance.
The biblical world of translators, according to Strong, claims iatros means “a physician.” NAS Exhaustive Concordance agrees with Strong’s. However, look at the word origin (root word).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from iaomai
Definition
a physician
NASB Translation
physician (5), physicians (1).
The NAS (New American Standard) Exhaustive Concordance indicates the origin of the Greek word iatros is iaomi. It then defines iatros as ‘a physician’ and states it is translated as ‘physician’ six times in the NAS Bibles. Notice the green colored lettering is a link in Biblebub.com page where the full definition of iaomai is given. To get to the truth of what noun the translators should use in translating the ancient manuscripts, we must look closer at the root word. In linguistics, a root word holds the most basic meaning of any word.
NAS iaomaiNote how both Strong’s and the NAS Exhaustive Concordances define the root word iaomai as “to heal.” The discerning Christian should question why an ancient Greek word meaning ‘to heal” can be translated as ‘physician’ instead of the more obvious literal translation of “healer.” To demonstrate how arbitrary the NAS and Strong’s selection of the word physician is, others choose “doctor.” (See several Bible translations at the link)
JESUS AND VERY FEW OTHERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN SUPERNATURAL HEALING POWERS
The following word study is very useful in understanding the Greek word iaomai – especially as it is applied in Biblical times. The early English translators only considered the practitioners of their day.
HELPS Word-studies.
2390 iáomai (a primitive verb, NAS dictionary) – healing, particularly as supernatural and bringing attention to the Lord Himself as the Great Physician (cf. Is 53:4,5).
Example: Lk 17:15: “Now one of them [i.e. the ten lepers], when he saw that he had been healed (2390 /iáomai), turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.”
[2390 /iáomai (“to heal”) draws the attention to the Lord, the supernatural Healer, i.e. beyond the physical healing itself and its benefits (as with 2323 /therapeúō).]
On Biblehub.com there is only this one of the available Biblical reference materials (HELPS) which reveals the true meaning of iaomai because it “draws the attention to the Lord, the supernatural Healer.” Another perfect example of the supernatural healer use of Jesus’ twelve disciples is Lk 9:1-2 (KJV)
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
The 12 disciples were sent. “Sent” by definition means they were chosen to be apostles. Jesus chose them and gave them supernatural power and authority as seen in Luke’s use of iasthai in verse two. The new apostles were also given power and authority to use another method referred to as therapeúō to cure diseases by less than supernatural means.
Regrettably, the applicable difference between ‘supernatural healing’ (iaomai) and ‘therapeuo’ is not easily defined by scripture. Even Luke uses both words interchangeably to heal or cure a person who is either morally or physically weak. (Compare Lk 9:2 with Lk 10:9) Whether it was the misunderstanding of scribes translating from Aramaic to Greek, or the difference between what we understand ‘therapy’ to be today and what they understood then, the discerning Christian should read multiple healing verses themselves to decide what is being taught here is truth. Here is a list of healing verses using the root word iaomai.
To correctly interpret ancient Hebrew or Greek the Bible translator (or discerning Christian who loves the truth) should research historical (as well as current) evidence of ancient diseases, several healing gods, and other secular healers like sorcerers. (Sadly, Bible translators do not provide references) Without that knowledge, most translators have simply used words that fit their own worldly understanding of health and healing. The first Bible translator, William Tyndale, had an obvious bias toward using ‘surgione’ for healing rather than ‘physician’. In Exodus 15:26 he wrote for “healer”
Tyndale Bible of 1526
and saide: Yf ye will herken vnto the voyce of the Lord youre God, and will do that which is righte in his syght and will geue an eare vnto his comaudmentes, and kepe all his ordinaunces: tha will I put none of this diseases apon the whiche I brought vpon the Egiptias: for I am the Lorde thy surgione.
William Tyndale obviously chose “surgeon” based on his understanding of the theories if diseases in his day (1500)? Medical practice then believed an imbalance in the four humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile) caused many diseases or illnesses. Such imbalances required the patient to be treated with bloodletting by a barber/surgeon. Is William Tyndale any worse than all the other translators by mistakenly attributing supernatural powers to modern physicians or sorcerers?
These errors were not intentional but merely evidence of the failures in the Church to teach the true causes of disease and sickness. God’s word was hidden from the masses of illiterate Christians. The belief that God and Satan could and would punish or chastise with sickness – or that sin itself could have physical consequences – was being replaced by the theory of “Natural Philosophy.” Natural Philosophers were practicing “physic” on the basis that sickness ONLY comes from nature. They sought to understand, then control, mother nature, rather than attempt to control or thwart God. The Old Testament tells us most about God’s, Satan’s, and sins role in all sickness and injury, but the Gentile Christian Church rejected their role in salvation. God knew this would happen and sent the powerful delusion so they would believe the lie.
BIBLICAL HEALING VIEW IS ANTI-DRUG
Just like Tyndale, translators who have adopted the worldly view (that God heals using physicians and surgeons), ignore the fact that every sick person in the Bible was healed with either food (1 Ti 5:23, 2 Ki 20:7), waters (2 Ki 5:14), prayer (2 Ki 20:2), spoken word (Lk 7:7), a touch (Lk 22:51), or otherwise supernaturally (Mt 8:13).
Mt 8:13: And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
Jesus healed (iathē) the centurion’s servant in the most supernaturally way. No one today should accept that a 21st century physician could heal by any of the means God uses. The allopathic medical physician of today, and for over the past 100 years, primarily use poisonous drugs to treat the physically and mentally sick.
Allopathic medicine refers to a system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat symptoms and diseases using drugs, radiation, or surgery. Also called biomedicine, conventional medicine, mainstream medicine, orthodox medicine, and Western medicine. Allopathic physicians receive an MD. Their responsibilities are various and relate to the maintenance of health, including both acute care and prevention. Allopathic physicians can choose to practice in a number of different specialty areas, as well as build a career in teaching or research.
Notice there is no attempt to include ‘heal’ or ‘cure’ in the above career description. It is a mistaken worldview (which the evil/anti-Christ Babylonian “systems” of Rev 17 &18 has supported) that physicians save and heal the patient who is sick. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the Biblical worldview – God’s view – the physician of today practices sorcery. The practitioners of the allopathic healthcare system cannot forgive sin. Though they have used many drugs to treat and prevent consequences of sin, only Jesus or God the Father can fully heal (make whole) the sinning Christian. God provided the way – the ONLY WAY – in James 5:14-16.
Today’s sorcerer-physician enables the Christian and unbelievers to continue in sin by modifying or alleviating the symptoms. The easy access to a morning after pill encourages fornication at the expense of sexually transmitted diseases. But wait, we have developed a morning after pill to prevent some of those. When a Christian says medicine is a gift from God I cringe!
As I write this, I am fully aware of Paul’s writings to the Thessalonians and Timothy. Few Christians will want to believe what I have written here. Most Christians who are sick with a chronic disease, and dependent on medications to survive another year – or live a full life span – are truly “perishing!” As Paul wrote in 2 Th 2:9-10, they have believed the false signs and wonders that the medicines have saved their lives – not wanting to believe that pharmakeia (sorcery) in Gal 5:19-21 and Rev 22:14-15 would forever keep them out of the Kingdom of God. Paul knew they would “turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (1 Timothy 4:2-4) Sadly, God foresaw that even His elect would not believe what is being taught on this website. Paul speaks about this in Romans 1:28.
Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. NLT
They think it foolish that God would allow sickness because they ignore Exodus 15:26. It is deadly foolishness to believe anything that is not written in Scripture. It is foolishness to believe God’s trustworthy promise to heal in James 5:16 is less believable than His promise to save in John 3:16. It is foolishness to believe God uses physicians to heal His children when they cunningly use false future-telling (prognosis) to trap them into lifelong dependency on the allopathic medical system for health, healing, and longevity.
Most Christians have been deceived! Should we blame the English Bible translators? How about blaming the poor teaching from pastors? They should have studied better to reveal the truth! Blame Satan for making the alternate healthcare system available? They all can share in accepting the blame, but God foreknew what most Christians would choose as we come ever closer the end of the church age. If you love the truth, you will love what is written here and elsewhere on this website about the Greek words pharmakeia and iatros.
If Luke was a physician like many rely on today instead of Jesus, Paul would not have called him “beloved!” He would have called him “evil” because “by his sorceries he has deceived all the nations.” Rev 18:23
APPLICATION
Are you undecided? Do you still believe God approves of His children listening to a physician’s diagnosis and prognosis, and then obeying their advice? Then please reread your New Testament, replacing ‘physician’ with either ‘supernatural healer’ or ‘secular healer’ to see if it is a better fit with God’s Biblical view of health and healing. This article has certainly raised the possibility that Luke might have been given the “gift of (supernatural) healings.”
There are two verses where Luke and Mark used a noun form of iaomai that likely refer to the ‘secular healers’ of the Greek methods founded by Hippocrates.
Hippocrates of Kos is universally recognized as the father of modern medicine, which is based on observation of clinical signs and rational conclusions. Before him, therapeutic attempts were based on religious or magical beliefs and were commonly practiced by priests, spiritual healers and witch-doctors.
Hippocrates was born in Kos, a Greek island of the southeastern Aegean. He was the son of Heraklides and belonged to a family of physicians who claimed their ancestry from Asclepius, the god of medicine. Hippocrates worked mainly in Kos and the nearby coast of Asia Minor (corresponding to present-day Turkey), but he also traveled extensively visiting other Greek regions including Athens, Thessaly and Thrace. His contribution to medical practice is characterized by ethical rules of conduct, close observation of clinical symptoms, an open mind for any ideas, and willingness to explain the cause of diseases. [Excerpted from Hippocrates of Kos, the Father of Clinical Medicine, and Asclepiades of Bithynia, the Father of Molecular Medicine, CHRISTOS YAPIJAKIS
When one looks at the verses in Luke 8:43 and Mark 5:25-26 they find out specifically why God (or Paul) would not approve of Luke if he was a ‘secular healer’ of the Hippocrates school.
43 A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians and could not be healed by any,
25 A certain woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,
Both Luke and Mark concur that despite twelve years of physicians trying to heal the woman, they were always unsuccessful. Mark even adds that she got worse despite “suffering many things” at their hands. Mark also adds that the woman “spent all that she had.” Jesus did not charge for healing the sick. The disciples were told not to charge for the gift of healings they received. (Mt 10:8) Are these the “physicians” Jesus said sick people need in Luke 5:31-32? Impossible!!
Allopathic physicians of today are worse than the secular healers in the first century. The article excerpted above reveals those iatros (healers) who were trained in the school Hippocrates started (Asklepion schools and temples), did not include the use of poisonous medicines. This is supported by the Hippocratic oath – a major ethical approach to healing by Hippocrates which stated, “first, do no harm.” If they had used drugs in addition to God-forbidden “prognosis,” Luke and Mark would have referred to them as pharmakos instead of iatros.
Look at the Hippocratic Oath that is still recited by a few medical school graduates.
I swear by Apollo Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture.
To hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents; to make him partner in my livelihood; when he is in need of money to share mine with him; to consider his family as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they want to learn it, without fee or indenture; to impart precept, oral instruction, and all other instruction to my own sons, the sons of my teacher, and to indentured pupils who have taken the Healer’s oath, but to nobody else.
I will use those dietary regimens which will benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them.[6] Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion. But I will keep pure and holy both my life and my art. I will not use the knife, not even, verily, on sufferers from stone, but I will give place to such as are craftsmen therein.
Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick, and I will abstain from all intentional wrong-doing and harm, especially from abusing the bodies of man or woman, bond or free. And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside my profession in my intercourse with men, if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.
Now if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain for ever reputation among all men for my life and for my art; but if I break it and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.[5] – Translation by W.H.S. Jones.
Hippocrates set this early group of secular healers apart (holy) from the sorcerers of the day. Allopathic medical schools have had to abandon this oath for obvious reasons.
Is it possible that Luke was trained in this school and took the took the Hippocratic Oath on completion? I think it possible, but like myself, on hearing (and his case seeing) real supernatural healing by Paul and Peter, he would have renounced his oath to the artificial gods. I firmly believe Luke was beloved of Paul because he accepted Jesus as the true supernatural healer. There is no evidence in scripture that he healed anyone, but if all he did was suggest the dietary change for Timothy that Paul wrote, God would not be displeased.
Therefore, regarding Christians using allopathic physicians, consider that Luke was at most trained in the Hippocratic school of medical arts and would never prescribe poisonous drugs or cause an abortion. He would rely only on diet to benefit his patients. (They also used heat, cold, and physical therapy). If the born-again Christian can say no to their prescribed medicines – no matter what the prognosis, they are free to use them. As for me …
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; For GOD the LORD is my strength and song; And He is become my salvation.’ Is 12:2
God bless you today and everyday ever after. May you find health, healing, and a full lifespan by trusting in Jesus for His promises. May He grant you forgiveness and mercy if you are unable or unwilling to repent of your sorceries at this time. God is patient, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, He will release you from the trap of being a patient.
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