Mark 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,

NIV: Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,

NASB: But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts,

CSB: But some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts:

NLT: But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves,

KJV: But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

NKJV: And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,

In a crowded house in Capernaum, listening to Jesus teach, are scribes and Pharisees from Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem (Luke 5:17). In the Old Testament, scribes were responsible for recording the official records of military leaders, kings, and prophets (Jeremiah 36:4). Ezra was both a scribe and a priest (Ezra 7:6, 11). After the return from Babylon, scribes took more initiative, copying, translating, and teaching the Law of Moses. Because of their level of literacy and time studying the Torah, they were considered the educated class and authorities on religious matters. It is because of the scribes that we can be sure the Old Testament has been passed down complete and accurate.

Unfortunately, over time, scribes had also added to the Law, an expansion which often leads to arguments with Jesus. By this time, scribes are a subsect of the Pharisees. They monitor Jesus out of curiosity and to see if He teaches as they do. It is their job to question teaching, but it is also their job to know the Scriptures regarding the Messiah. The scribes so dissect, tear apart, and define their Scriptures that they miss what the Messiah is all about. And in their fear that the people's disobedience will prevent the Messiah from coming, they add so many rules that when Jesus the Messiah does come, He seems to them a blasphemous law-breaker and not the Chosen One of God.

Eventually, the scribes will play a major role in Jesus' crucifixion. The people who should have been best-equipped to identify the Messiah are party to His death.

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.