Mark 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

NIV: I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'

NASB: I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.'

CSB: "I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home."

NLT: Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'

KJV: I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

NKJV: “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

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).

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.