Jesus Forgives and Heals the Paralytic

2:1 Now after some days, when he returned to Capernaum, the news spread that he was at home. 2:2 So many gathered that there was no longer any room, not even by the door, and he preached the word to them. 2:3 Some people came bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 2:4 When they were not able to bring him in because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus. Then, after tearing it out, they lowered the stretcher the paralytic was lying on. 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 2:6 Now some of the experts in the law were sitting there, turning these things over in their minds: 2:7 "Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 2:8 Now immediately, when Jesus realized in his spirit that they were contemplating such thoughts, he said to them, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 2:9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up, take your stretcher, and walk'? 2:10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," - he said to the paralytic - 2:11 "I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home." 2:12 And immediately the man stood up, took his stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Jesus was preaching in a crowded house in Capernaum. Four men lowered a paralytic through the roof to bring him to Jesus. Jesus first said, “Your sins are forgiven.” The scribes objected in their hearts. Then Jesus healed the man in public to show that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

Mark shows that this is more than a healing story. Jesus was speaking the word to the crowd, and the miracle happened while he taught. The four men did not give up when the crowd blocked the way. They opened the roof and lowered the man down before Jesus. Their action shows determined trust in Jesus.

Jesus saw their faith and first spoke to the paralytic about his sins. This is important. Jesus dealt with the man’s deeper need before he dealt with his body. The text does not say that the paralysis was caused by a specific sin. It does show that sin is the deeper problem and that Jesus has power to forgive.

The scribes understood the claim correctly at one level. Only God can forgive sins. That is why they said Jesus was blaspheming. But Jesus knew their thoughts and answered them with a public sign. He asked which is easier to say: “Your sins are forgiven,” or “Stand up and walk.” The point was not that forgiveness is easier than healing. The point was that the healing could be seen and would prove the truth of his word.

Jesus then said that the miracle would show that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. He commanded the man to get up, take his mat, and go home. The man did so immediately, in front of everyone. The crowd was amazed and glorified God.

This passage teaches that Jesus does not only help people in trouble. He has authority to forgive sins, and he shows that authority by what he does. Faith here is seen in the determined way the men brought the paralytic to Jesus. But the passage is not a promise that every strong act of faith will always bring the same result. Mark’s main point is that Jesus’ word is true and that his authority is from God.

• Jesus was speaking the word to the crowd when the paralytic was brought to him.
• The four men showed faith by overcoming the crowd and lowering the man through the roof.
• Jesus first forgave the man’s sins before healing his body.
• The scribes were right that only God can forgive sins, but they did not recognize Jesus’ authority.
• The healing was public proof that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
• The crowd was amazed and glorified God.

• Do not say the passage teaches that the man’s paralysis was caused by a specific personal sin.
• Do not turn “their faith” into a rule that one person’s faith always secures another person’s forgiveness.
• Do not reduce Jesus’ words to a mere report that God had forgiven the man; the passage presents Jesus as speaking with authority.
• Do not treat the crowd’s amazement as full saving faith.
• Do not make this passage into a formula that guarantees healing whenever faith is strong enough.

Jesus shows that God’s saving rule is already at work in his ministry. The healing confirms his claim to forgive sins, and the title Son of Man points to his authority in God’s plan.

Bring your needs to Jesus with persistence. Do not ignore the deeper problem of sin. Receive Jesus as the one who can forgive and help. When God acts with mercy and power, respond with praise.

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