Mark 2:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

NIV: Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

NASB: And some people *came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men.

CSB: They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them.

NLT: four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.

KJV: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

NKJV: Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

Jesus is teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum when four men arrive, carrying a paralytic man on a bed. We aren't told where they're from, how the man was paralyzed, or what relation the men are to their injured friend. We just know that unlike the invalid at Bethesda (John 5:1–9) or the lame beggar at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:1–10), the people in his life are resolved to see him healed.

We are meant to learn something from this example today. The men faced doorways so stuffed with people they couldn't get through, but our access to God is always open. Hebrews 4:16 promises that we can "with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need." Paul started his letters with assurances that he regularly prayed for his friends. Praying together was one of the first tasks the early church adopted (Acts 2:42).

A clichéd expression used in Christian circles is that we "lift someone up" to God in prayer. Taken the wrong way, this suggests He's incapable of reaching down. Properly understood, the metaphor stands, since it's meant in the same sense as this story from the gospel of Mark. Like the four men bringing their paralytic friend to Jesus, we are to bring God our concerns and requests about others. We are not assured that Jesus will heal them, but we do know that He will work for good in the lives of those who follow Him (Romans 8:28).

Mark 2:1–12 records the first of five stories from the gospel of Mark which establish Jesus' claims to various spheres of authority. Jesus returns to Capernaum from His tour of Galilee, and the crowds regather. Here, Jesus declares that He has the power to forgive sins. A paralyzed man is brought into the crowded room through the roof. In response to the man's faith, Jesus declares his sins to be forgiven. When challenged by the scribes, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This event is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.