21 And he entered again into Capernaum after [several] days, and it was reported that he was at [the] house; 2 and straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no longer any room, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3 And there come to him [men] bringing a paralytic, borne by four; 4 and, not being able to get near to him on account of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was, and having dug [it] up they let down the couch on which the paralytic lay. 5 But Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, Child, thy sins are forgiven [thee]. 6 But certain of the scribes were there sitting, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why does this [man] thus speak? he blasphemes. Who is able to forgive sins except God alone? 8 And straightway Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they are reasoning thus within themselves, said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, [Thy] sins are forgiven [thee]; or to say, Arise, and take up thy couch and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic, 11 To thee I say, Arise, take up thy couch and go to thine house. 12 And he rose up straightway, and, having taken up his couch, went out before [them] all, so that all were amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it thus.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 2:1-12
Commentary on Mark 2:1-12
(Read Mark 2:1-12)
It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried, and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should be in men, toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith and strong faith may work in various ways; but it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his power to cure the man sick of the palsy. And his curing diseases was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like. Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a physician, therefore despise or neglect Christ and his gospel. But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all help, excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to him without delay.