43. Jesus Heals a Paralytic
1And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.a 2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching to them. 3And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them: “Why do you question thus in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, 11I say to this afflicted man, 'Rise, take up your bed and go home.'”
12And he rose, and immediately took up the bed and went out before them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
(Mk. 2:1–12)
a “he was at home.”—Perhaps the home of James and John Zebedee, who lived at Capernaum, as did Andrew and Peter.
Mk. 2.1 when Jesus returned / when he returned (RSV)
Mk. 2:2 preaching to / preaching the word to (RSV)
Mk. 2:4 the bed on (KJV) / the pallet on (RSV)
Mk. 2:8 Jesus, / And immediately, Jesus, (RSV)
Mk. 2:9 your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:11 I say to this afflicted man, ‘Rise, / “I say to you, rise, (RSV) • your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:12 the bed and (KJV) / the pallet and (RSV) • all. They / all so that they (RSV) (148:9/1666–7)
