What does the Bible say about doctors and hospitals?

When considering health and healing, many people turn to the Bible for guidance and wisdom. Questions about the role of doctors, medicine, and even hospitals often arise for people of faith, especially during times of illness or health crises.

The Ancient Context: Healing in Biblical Times

To understand the Bible’s perspective on doctors and hospitals, we first need to consider the context in which it was written. The ancient world did not have hospitals in the way we think of them today. Healing was often administered at home, in temples, or by traveling physicians. Medical knowledge was a blend of practical remedies, herbal cures, and spiritual practices. In both the Old and New Testaments, healing is an important theme, with God often portrayed as the ultimate healer, but human means are also acknowledged.

Doctors in the Old Testament

The Old Testament references various forms of medical care, though the term "doctor" as a formal profession is rare. For example, there are laws in the Mosaic code about quarantine and cleanliness (Leviticus 13–15), which are early forms of public health measures. Priests played a significant role in diagnosing and managing illnesses, especially skin diseases like leprosy. Their responsibilities included inspecting the sick, separating those who were contagious, and pronouncing them clean or unclean.

There is also acknowledgment of physicians in passages such as Genesis 50:2, where Joseph orders the physicians to embalm his father, Jacob. The Hebrew word "rapha" (to heal) is used both for God as healer (Exodus 15:26: "I am the Lord who heals you") and for human healers.

Another notable passage is Proverbs 17:22: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Here, the use of the term "medicine" indicates that healing and health were familiar concepts, and remedies were valued.

The Role of Medicine and Remedies

While the Bible does not provide detailed pharmaceutical instructions, it does mention various remedies and treatments. For instance, Isaiah 38:21 recounts how a poultice of figs was applied to King Hezekiah’s boil as part of his healing. Jeremiah 8:22 famously asks, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" referencing a well-known healing ointment of the time.

Oil and wine were commonly used for medicinal purposes (see Luke 10:34, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan treats the man’s wounds with oil and wine). This shows a practical, hands-on approach to medical care, and an acceptance of available remedies.

Jesus and Healing: Divine and Human Means

One of the most prominent aspects of Jesus’ ministry was healing the sick. The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus curing diseases, restoring sight, and even raising the dead. These miracles demonstrate his divine authority and compassion.

However, Jesus’ miraculous healings did not negate or forbid the use of human physicians. In fact, he referenced doctors in his teachings. In Matthew 9:12 and Luke 5:31, Jesus says, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." This statement, though primarily metaphorical, affirms the necessity and value of physicians.

Moreover, Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is instructive. The Samaritan tends to the wounded man by bandaging his wounds and applying oil and wine—practices consistent with the medical knowledge of the day—and then takes him to an inn for further care. While not a hospital in the modern sense, the inn served as a place of recuperation, and the Samaritan’s actions are a biblical example of compassionate, practical medical assistance.

The Beloved Physician: Luke

A particularly significant figure is Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. In Colossians 4:14, Paul refers to him as "the beloved physician." Luke’s background as a doctor is reflected in his detailed descriptions of illnesses and healing in his writings.

Luke’s role as a physician, and his esteem in the early church, shows that the practice of medicine was respected among the early Christians. Rather than being frowned upon, Luke’s skills and profession were acknowledged as valuable gifts to the community.

Faith, Prayer, and Medical Care

A recurring question is whether seeking medical care demonstrates a lack of faith. The Bible does not teach that believers should refuse medical assistance. Instead, it presents prayer and faith as essential, while also recognizing the legitimacy of human effort and skill.

James 5:14-15 instructs believers: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well." This passage combines spiritual care (prayer and anointing) with the use of oil, a common remedy of the time. The implication is that both prayer and practical aid are appropriate responses to illness.

Biblical Principles and the Spirit of Healing

While hospitals as institutions did not exist in biblical times, the principles of care, compassion, and service to the sick are woven throughout Scripture. The early church became known for its care for the sick and dying, especially during plagues and epidemics in the Roman Empire. Motivated by Jesus’ example and teachings, believers established some of the first hospitals and hospices centuries later.

Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:36—"I was sick and you looked after me"—call his followers to active compassion. The parable of the Good Samaritan further emphasizes helping the suffering, regardless of social or religious barriers. These principles laid the foundation for Christian involvement in the development of hospitals and organized healthcare.

The Growth of Hospitals: A Christian Legacy

Although the Bible does not mention hospitals by name, the spirit of Christian charity and service to the poor and ill led to the creation of hospitals by the early church. The first hospitals as we know them were established by Christians in the fourth century, notably by Basil the Great in Caesarea. These were places where the sick, poor, and travelers could receive care and shelter.

The idea of caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—drew inspiration from the holistic healing witnessed in Jesus’ ministry. This legacy continues to shape many Christian-run hospitals and healthcare organizations today.

Medicine and Miracles: Working Together

Some people wonder whether reliance on doctors and hospitals undermines belief in miracles or divine healing. The Bible does not present these as mutually exclusive. Rather, God is seen as the ultimate healer, who can work through both extraordinary and ordinary means.

In 2 Kings 20, King Hezekiah is healed after prayer and the application of a poultice, combining divine intervention with a practical remedy. Similarly, Paul advises Timothy to "use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23), suggesting practical steps to promote health.

Trusting God and Using Available Means

The Bible encourages trust in God above all else, but it does not oppose the use of available means for healing. This principle is seen in Isaiah 38:21, where Isaiah prescribes a poultice for Hezekiah. The use of remedies is not condemned, but rather accepted as part of God’s provision.

Furthermore, the Psalms are filled with prayers for healing and deliverance (e.g., Psalm 103:2-3: "Praise the Lord... who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases"). These prayers reflect a trust in God as healer, but not to the exclusion of practical care and help.

Cautions and Warnings

While the Bible affirms the value of medical care, it also warns against misplaced trust. 2 Chronicles 16:12 recounts how King Asa, when afflicted with a severe disease, "did not seek the Lord, but only the physicians." The issue here is not seeking medical help, but neglecting God entirely. The biblical message is to seek God first, while also making use of the skills and resources He provides.

There are also warnings about false healers and reliance on superstitious or harmful practices. The Bible encourages discernment and wisdom, cautioning believers to avoid practices contrary to faith in God.

Applying Biblical Wisdom Today

What does all this mean for Christians today? The Bible supports the use of doctors, medicine, and, by extension, hospitals. These are seen as gifts of God’s common grace, part of His provision for human needs. Prayer and faith remain vital, but they are complemented by responsible use of medical resources.

Modern hospitals, staffed by skilled professionals, embody the spirit of Christian compassion and care for the vulnerable. Many hospitals worldwide were founded by Christian organizations, inspired by Jesus’ call to serve the sick and suffering. The integration of prayer, spiritual care, and medical treatment continues to be important in many faith-based hospitals.