Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Bible Study Lesson - Mark 2:1-12

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

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

4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.

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

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

7 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, 'Why are you thinking these things?

9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?

10 But 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, get up, take your mat and go home.'

12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!"

Jesus and his healing ministry

A Story of Forgiveness and Faith

Before saying to the paralytic, "Get up,"Jesus said, "Son, your sins are forgiven." To the Jewish leaders this statement was blasphemous. Is Jesus saying that he is God? .. Yes, he is.

Judging Christ

According to the law, the punishment for this sin was death (Leviticus 24:15, 16). The religious leaders understood correctly that Jesus was claiming divine prerogatives, but their judgment of him was wrong.

Innocence

Jesus was not blaspheming because his claim was true. Jesus is God, and he proved his claim by healing the paralytic (2:9-12)."

Other Lessons for Study

This story has so many sub-lessons that you really need to read the Scripture deeply to apply them. In addition to the obvious, Jesus healing the paralytic, there is the opposition of the religious leaders, the crowd's reaction of joy (who later shouted to crucify Jesus), the faith of the four men, and so much more.

Read Mark 2 again and see what new insight you can find to help in your Christian walk.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Mark 1:9-11 - John Baptizes Jesus