Mark — Chapter 2

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1And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

18And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

21No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

22And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

23And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

24And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

1And when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house.

2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room [for them], no, not even about the door: and he spake the word unto them.

3And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.

4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay.

5And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, [even] God?

8And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),

11I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

12And he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the [son] of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

15And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, [How is it] that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

18And John`s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John`s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.

21No man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.

22And no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine perisheth, and the skins: but [they put] new wine into fresh wine-skins.

23And it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

24And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25And he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him?

26How he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?

27And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28so that the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.

1Now after some days, when he returned to Capernaum, the news spread that he was at home.

2So many gathered that there was no longer any room, not even by the door, and he preached the word to them.

3Some people came bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.

4When they were not able to bring him in because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus. Then, after tearing it out, they lowered the stretcher the paralytic was lying on.

5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6Now some of the experts in the law were sitting there, turning these things over in their minds:

7“Why does this man speak this way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8Now immediately, when Jesus realized in his spirit that they were contemplating such thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?

9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up, take your stretcher, and walk’?

10But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—he said to the paralytic—

11“I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”

12And immediately the man stood up, took his stretcher, and went out in front of them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

13Jesus went out again by the sea. The whole crowd came to him, and he taught them.

14As he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax booth. “Follow me,” he said to him. And he got up and followed him.

15As Jesus was having a meal in Levi’s home, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

16When the experts in the law and the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17When Jesus heard this he said to them, “Those who are healthy don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

18Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. So they came to Jesus and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

19Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they do not fast.

20But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and at that time they will fast.

21No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse.

22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins will be destroyed. Instead new wine is poured into new wineskins.”

23Jesus was going through the grain fields on a Sabbath, and his disciples began to pick some heads of wheat as they made their way.

24So the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is against the law on the Sabbath?”

25He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry—

26how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the sacred bread, which is against the law for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to his companions?”

27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.

28For this reason the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

1When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house.

2Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them.

3Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him.

4When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on.

5Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts?

9Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’

10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—

11“I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”

12He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

13He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them.

14As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.

15He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him.

16The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

18John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”

19Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast.

20But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.

21No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.

22No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”

23He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain.

24The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”

25He said to them, “Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?

26How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”

27He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

28Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus demonstrates authority to forgive sins by healing a paralytic lowered through the roof, calls Levi the tax collector, and clashes with the Pharisees over eating with sinners, fasting, and Sabbath observance.

Authorship & Background

Author: John Mark (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 2 records five controversy stories that escalate the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders: the paralytic and forgiveness (vv.1-12), eating with sinners (vv.13-17), the fasting question (vv.18-22), and two Sabbath controversies (vv.23-28). Each reveals Jesus' authority — over sin, over social boundaries, over religious tradition, and over the Sabbath itself.
The Paralytic (vv.1-12): Four friends carry a paralyzed man to Jesus and dig through the roof to lower him down. Jesus sees "their faith" (v.5) and says "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee" — addressing the deeper need before the physical one. The scribes correctly recognize that only God can forgive sins (v.7) — but fail to draw the obvious conclusion about who Jesus is.
Levi/Matthew's Calling (vv.13-17): Jesus calls a tax collector and then eats at his house with "publicans and sinners." The Pharisees are scandalized. Jesus' response: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (v.17).
"The Sabbath was made for man" (v.27): One of Jesus' most revolutionary statements. The Sabbath was a gift for human benefit, not a burden for human oppression. And the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (v.28).

Map & Geography

  • Capernaum (v.1): Jesus returned to Capernaum, His ministry base. The paralytic was lowered through the roof of a house here.
  • The seaside (v.13): Jesus went to the shore of the Sea of Galilee to teach the crowds. Levi's tax booth was likely on the Via Maris trade route near the lakeshore.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the paralytic's friends' faith, Jesus' authority to forgive, the calling of Levi, the new wine teaching, and the Sabbath controversies.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Paralytic's Friends" on vv.3-5 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 586) "They could not come nigh unto Him for the press — so they uncovered the roof. Obstacles did not stop them. Crowds did not stop them. A roof did not stop them. That is faith — faith that finds a way when there seems to be no way. And Jesus saw THEIR faith — the faith of the friends." Sermon: "The Physician for Sinners" on v.17 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1320) "I came not to call the righteous — because there are none. But sinners — and there are many. If you know you are sick, the Physician is here. If you think you are well, you will never come to Him."

Reflection

  • 1. The four friends wouldn't let obstacles stop them from getting their friend to Jesus (v.4). They dug through a roof. Who in your life needs you to carry them to Christ? What obstacles are you willing to overcome?
  • 2. Jesus forgave the paralytic's sins before healing his body (v.5). He addressed the deeper need first. Are you more focused on God fixing your circumstances or transforming your heart?
  • 3. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (v.17). If you think you're righteous, Jesus has nothing for you. If you know you're a sinner, He's exactly what you need. Which posture describes you today?
  • 4. "The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (v.27). God's commands are for your benefit, not your bondage. Where have you turned God's gifts into burdens? Where has religion become oppressive rather than life-giving?
  • 5. Jesus saw "their faith" (v.5) — the faith of the friends. Your faith can benefit others. How is your faith actively helping the people around you get to Jesus?
  • 6. The scribes reasoned "in their hearts" (v.6) — silently. Jesus perceived their thoughts (v.8). God knows your internal dialogue. What are you thinking about Jesus that you haven't said out loud?
  • 7. Levi "left all, rose up, and followed him" (v.14). Then he threw a party for his sinner friends to meet Jesus (v.15). Genuine conversion leads to immediate evangelism. When you met Christ, did you introduce your friends to Him? Are you still doing that?
  • 8. "New wine must be put into new bottles" (v.22). Jesus' kingdom doesn't fit into old religious structures. Where are you trying to fit the new work God is doing into old patterns? What needs to change?
  • 9. Jesus is "Lord of the Sabbath" (v.28). He has authority over every institution, every tradition, every structure. Is there any area of your life where you've given tradition more authority than Christ?