What does Mark 2:11 mean?

A house in Capernaum, probably Andrew and Peter's, is filled to overflowing with men listening to Jesus teach. In the crowd are Pharisees and scribes from all over Galilee and Judea, including Jerusalem (Luke 5:17). Jesus has declared that a paralyzed man's sins are forgiven after seeing his faith. The scribes rightly discern that Jesus means to speak for God but wrongly believe He has no right to. In response, Jesus provides an example of His authority and power they can personally test.

The Greek root for the word translated "say" is lego, which means "to affirm, teach, or direct." The root of the Greek word translated "bed" is krabbatos, which is a simple pallet, like modern camp beds or cots. It is sturdy enough to survive being lowered through the ceiling with the man on it, but light enough to carry. As in many cases, Jesus tells the man to leave after he is healed. Similarly, He tells the leper to show himself to the priest (Mark 1:44) and the man rescued from the legion of demons to stay in his hometown instead of following (Mark 5:19).

Today, God may lead us in a time of healing or growth, but He doesn't want us to stay in some static position. He heals and teaches us so that we can tell others what He has done for us. Jesus instructed some people not to tell about their healings, since they occurred before the appropriate "time" for such declarations (John 2:4; 7:6; Matthew 17:9 ). Today, we're asked to spread the good news to as many people as possible (Matthew 28:19–20). Very few are called to stay in that intense place of healing and growth for long (Luke 2:36–37), but we can be sure that though we seem to be leaving God's presence, He is always with us (2 Corinthians 1:22).