Mark 2:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

NIV: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'

NASB: And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'

CSB: Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

NLT: Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, 'My child, your sins are forgiven.'

KJV: When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

NKJV: When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

"Faith" here is from the Greek root word pistis. It means to be convicted that something is true. As these men demonstrate, it is not a passive belief, but a trust that inherently drives action. James 2:17 says that "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." That doesn't mean that works are required to have faith. Rather, if works don't naturally result from whatever we're calling "faith," then it's not real, saving faith. The four men live out this faith-in-action when they carry their friend and commit minor property damage to get him to Jesus.

Jesus' response to that faith is calculated. The crowd includes Pharisees and scribes from all over Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem (Luke 5:17). They know He can heal, but Jesus ups the ante by first healing the man's relationship with God, not his physical ailment. He starts to show us why He really came: not to fix our worldly condition, but to ensure our heavenly one. The Greek root word translated "forgiven" is aphiemi and means "to let go, get rid of, refuse to let it hinder." God has let go of his sins (Psalm 103:12).

Jesus forgives the paralytic of his sins before He is crucified for the man's sins. Like the God-followers of the Old Testament, the man reaps the benefits of a sacrifice that hasn't happened yet. God lives outside of time. Although He works in human history in different ways in different ages, His grace and forgiveness are always based on the moment when Jesus died on the cross. When Hebrews 11:1 says "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen," "not seen" can mean things we didn't experience personally or events that haven't happened yet. In the same way, we can have faith that Jesus will return.

Mark says that "when Jesus saw their faith" He spoke to the paralytic. However, it is important to note that the man is not forgiven because of his friends' faith. We don't know why Jesus doesn't declare that all their sins are forgiven. Perhaps because He would only heal one in His impending illustration of authority. We aren't saved by the belief of others, including parents and spouses. We need to accept Christ's forgiveness of our own accord. Even so, whenever we pray for others, whether for physical healing or spiritual forgiveness, we should do so with faith that God can do what we ask and that He will do what is best.

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.