Mark 2:1-10
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.
2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?
9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?
10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,
Mark 2:1-10: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 1: “A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.”
Jesus returns to Capernaum, a place he often visited. The news of his arrival spreads quickly. This shows his growing popularity and the anticipation of the people.
Verse 2: “They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.”
The crowd is so large that there is no space left, even outside. Jesus takes this opportunity to preach. This highlights the people’s eagerness to hear him and his commitment to teaching.
Verse 3: “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.”
Four men bring a paralyzed friend to Jesus. Their determination and faith are evident. They believe Jesus can heal him.
Verse 4: “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.”
Unable to reach Jesus due to the crowd, they take a drastic step. They dig through the roof and lower the man down. This act shows their desperation and faith in Jesus’ healing power.
Verse 5: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.'”
Jesus acknowledges their faith. Instead of immediately healing the man physically, he forgives his sins. This indicates that spiritual healing is as important, if not more so, than physical healing.
Verse 6: “Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,”
Teachers of the law are present. They begin to question Jesus’ actions internally. This sets the stage for a confrontation.
Verse 7: “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
The teachers of the law accuse Jesus of blasphemy. They believe only God can forgive sins. This reveals their lack of understanding of Jesus’ divine nature.
Verse 8: “Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things?’
Jesus perceives their thoughts. He questions their reasoning. This demonstrates his divine insight and authority.
Verse 9: “Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?”
Jesus challenges them. He asks which is easier: forgiving sins or healing physically. This rhetorical question highlights his authority to do both.
Verse 10: “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,
Jesus asserts his authority as the Son of Man. He makes it clear that he has the power to forgive sins. This statement is crucial for understanding his divine mission.