All books

Mark2

American Standard Version · Public Domain

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 wine-skins; 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.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Mark 2.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Christ heals one sick of the palsy. (1–12). Levi's call, and the entertainment given to Jesus. (13–17). Why Christ's disciples did not fast. (18–22). He justifies his disciples for plucking corn on the sabbath. (23–28).

vv1-12

It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried, and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should be in men, toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith and strong faith may work in various ways; but it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his power to cure the man sick of the palsy. And his curing diseases was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like. Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a physician, therefore despise or neglect Christ and his gospel. But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all help, excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to him without delay.

vv13-17

Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew, he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow him. With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest sins, and grace to change the greatest sinners, and make them holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare. And because the Jews had a particular hatred to an office which proved that they were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate to converse with, when he appeared in the likeness of sinful flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well done and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach of the wisest and best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous, there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we are to show love to their souls, remembering that our good Physician had the power of healing in himself, and was in no danger of taking the disease; but it is not so with us. In trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do not get harm to ourselves.

vv18-22

Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully come up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we should be willing to bear them, as well as careful not to deserve them; but should attend to every part of our duty in its proper order and season.

Cross References

Mark 2
v251 Samuel 21:6thematic

David obtains the holy bread from Ahimelech/Abiathar, which Jesus cites to justify His disciples.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v7Isaiah 43:25thematic

Old Testament declaration that God alone blots out transgressions, grounding the scribes' objection.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17Matthew 9:13quotation

Parallel containing Jesus' call of sinners, quoting Hosea 6:6 regarding mercy over sacrifice.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v23Matthew 12:1-8thematic

Parallel account of the disciples plucking grain and Jesus' defense using David's example.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v28Matthew 12:8thematic

Parallel declaration of the Son of man's lordship over the Sabbath day.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v4Luke 5:19thematic

Parallel describing the lowering of the paralytic through the roof tiling.

Supported by JFB

v14Matthew 9:9thematic

Parallel account of the call of Matthew (Levi) at the tax office.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v18Luke 5:33-39thematic

Parallel discussion on fasting, including the parables of the garments and wineskins.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v20John 3:29allusion

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Bridegroom, matching Christ's self-designation here.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v26Leviticus 24:5-9thematic

The Levitical law specifying that the shewbread is reserved exclusively for Aaron and his sons.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Luke 5:18thematic

Parallel account introducing the men carrying the paralytic on a bed.

Supported by JFB

v11John 5:8-10thematic

Jesus commands another paralytic to carry his bed on the Sabbath, provoking controversy.

Supported by Matthew Poole