But there were certain of the Scribes sitting there ,.... In the upper room where Jesus was, to watch and observe what he said:, and did: and reasoning in their hearts ; upon the above words of Christ, in the following manner. read more
Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies ?.... They took Christ to be a mere man, and reasoned with themselves, that he must be a blasphemer, in assuming that to himself, which was peculiar to God: they seem astonished at his words, and wonder at his arrogance, and to be filled with indignation and resentment at him; saying, who can forgive sins but God only ? this was a generally received maxim with them, and a very just one. The Chaldee paraphrase of Job 14:4 , runs thus; "who can... read more
And immediately, when Jesus perceived in his Spirit ,.... "His own Spirit", as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read; not his human soul, nor the holy Spirit of God, though both may be said to be his Spirit; but his divine nature, in and by which he knew all things, even the most sacred thoughts of men's hearts: and as soon as ever the above thoughts were conceived in the minds of the Scribes and Pharisees, they were perceived by him, and told to them, that they so... read more
Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy ,.... This question was put to them by Christ, in order to prove his deity, and clear himself from the charge of blasphemy; for he that could cure the sick of the palsy, by a word speaking, had power to forgive him his sins: and therefore proposes it to them, which was easiest to say, thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise, and take up thy bed, and walk ? Both of them were easy to say, but not with power and effect: they were both... read more
But that ye may know that the son of man ,.... Meaning himself, who was really man, and the true Messiah, in which sense this phrase had been used in the writings of the Old Testament; see Psalm 80:17 , and though by reason of his outward form; and mean appearance, he might be thought by them to be but a mere man, and had no right, nor authority, to say what he had; in order to convince them; he affirms, that he hath power on earth to forgive sins . As there is an emphasis lies on the... read more
I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed ,.... He bid him, in an authoritative way to arise from his bed, in which he was brought, and on which he lay before him, and take it up upon his shoulders, directly, and in the face of all the people, carry it away: and go thy way into thine house ; to show himself whole to his family and friends, and go about his business; See Gill on Matthew 9:6 , read more
And immediately he arose ,.... Power going along with the words of Christ, he found himself perfectly well; and at once sprung up from off his bed, and took up his bed , upon his shoulders, with all the ease imaginable: and went forth before them all : the Scribes and Pharisees, and the whole multitude of the people, who were eyewitnesses of this wonderful cure: or "against them all"; for being strong and robust, he made his way through the crowd, with his bed on his back; ... read more
And he went forth again by the sea side ,.... The sea of Galilee, where he had met with, and called Peter and Andrew, James and John; and not far from which were the solitary place, and the desert places, where he was before he entered into Capernaum: and all the multitude resorted unto him ; who had been with him at Peter's house, and about the door, and those who could not get near him: and he taught them ; the word of God, the Gospel, and the doctrines of it. read more
And as he passed by ,.... As he went from Simon's house, and from the city of Capernaum, to go to the sea side: he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus ; the same with Matthew, Matthew 9:9 , and son to the same Alphaeus as James was, Matthew 10:3 , Beza's most ancient copy reads "James", instead of "Levi", very wrongly; but he was the brother of James, and also of Simon and Jude; so that there were four brothers of them apostles: and if Joses, called Barsabas, was the same Joses that was... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 2:5
When Jesus saw their faith ,.... The faith of the sick man, and his friends, who seemed confident, that could they get at Christ, a cure would be wrought: the faith of the one appears in suffering himself to be brought in such a manner, under so much weakness; and with so much trouble; and of the other in bringing him, and breaking through so many difficulties to get him to Christ. He said unto the sick of the palsy, son, thy sins be forgiven thee ; pointing and striking at the root of... read more