The Latin word "visitus" ≈ "visit" from "viso" ≈ "visit" and is the source of the English word "visit", "visa", etc..

The ancient Greek word "ἐπισκέπτομαι" ≈ "examine, consider" and comes from two Greek words.

• "ἑπι" ≈ "on".
• "σκέπτομαι" ≈ "look at, examine, consider, think" and is the source of the English word "skeptic".

• The modern Greek word "σθένος" (STHEH-nos) ≈ "strength" and means "valence" in chemistry.
• The modern Greek word "ασθένεια" (a-STHEH-nee-a) ≈ "disease, illness" and means, literally, "no strength" as in "weak" or "ill".
• The Russian word "астения" (a-ste-nee-ya) ≈ "illness" which comes from the Greek.



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The modern Greek word "επεσκέψασθε" (eh-peh-SKEH-psa-stheh) ≈ "visited" (past tense).

The present tense is the modern Greek word "επίσκεψη" (eh-PEE-skeh-psee) ≈ "visit" and is the basis for the word "bishop".

The original literal meaning was that of "looking on" and come to mean "visit".

Does it make sense to say that the "weak" are "bishoped"?

Notice that the "weak" are "visited" and not "healed". Why might that be?

Notice that in "visiting" or "coming to" someone, one must take an action. This could be important in fully understanding the parable of the sheep and goats.

What type of "weakness" might be the figurative meaning of the word as used in the verse?

Let us look again at Isaiah 61:1 which is read by Jesus in Luke 4:18.

• What parts of this verse apply to "visiting" the "weak"?
• Are the statements for physical needs, spiritual needs, or both? Explain.
• How might the interpretation of this verse relate to the words used in the parable of the sheep and goats?

Here are the categories in the above verses, using the words in Luke 4 which mirror the words in Isaiah 61.

• 0: appointed me to preach the gospel to the poor

Sent me to/for:

• 1: heal the brokenhearted
• 2: preach deliverance to the captives
• 3: recovering of sight to the blind
• 4: set at liberty them that are bruised

It would appear that 1 and 3 have to do with the weak/sick and 2 and 4 have to do with prison/captivity.

In the parable of the sheep and goats, one cannot generally physically heal or recover sight. Nor can one spiritually heal or recover sight. What one can do is "visit" to take an action and then let the Holy Spirit do the actual work.

Likewise, one cannot generally physically deliver the captives from captivity nor set them at liberty. Nor can one do this spiritually in and of themselves. One can "come to" as an action and then let the Holy Spirit do the actual work.

The important point in "visiting" the "weak" (in spirit) and "coming to" those in "captivity" is that one needs to take an action to allow the door to be opened and then let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting, if invited to do so.