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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

Christ, having been for some time preaching about in the country, here returns to Capernaum his head-quarters, and makes his appearance there, in hopes that by this time the talk and crowd would be somewhat abated. Now observe, I. The great resort there was to him. Though he was in the house, wither Peter's house, or some lodgings of his own which he had taken, yet people came to him as soon as it was noised that he was in town; they did not stay till he appeared in the synagogue, which they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 2:1-6

2:1-6 When, some time afterwards, Jesus had come back to Capernaum, the news went round that he was in a house. Such crowds collected that there was no longer any room left, not even round the door. So he was speaking the word to them. A party arrived bringing to him a paralysed man carried by four men. When they could not get near him because of the crowd they unroofed part of the roof of the house in which he was, and when they had dug out. part of the roof, they let down the stretcher on... read more

John Gill

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

Christ's authority to pardon. Our Lord's miracles of healing were, upon the surface and obviously, designed to relieve from suffering and to restore to health. They, at the same time, directed the attention of both those benefited, and of spectators, to the supernatural power and to the benevolence of the Divine Physician. But no Christian can fail to see in them a moral significance. Disorders of the body were symbolical of spiritual disease. And the great Healer, who pitied and relieved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

Cure of the paralytic. I. DIFFICULTIES ARE READILY OVERCOME WHERE THERE IS FAITH . The house was probably a poor one, roofed with mud and shingle. It would be easy, therefore, to dig a hole and obtain entrance in that way. But doing it required a certain amount of ingenuity and effort, which proved that the man and his friends were resolved to get to Jesus and obtain the cure. All this trouble and thoughtfulness was the outcome of faith in Christ. Their boldness was the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

The paralytic. I. THE PARALYTIC A TYPE OF HELPLESSNESS IN GENERAL . In this case both physical and moral. No malady is serious but that which attacks the freedom of the soul in its seat. II. DIFFICULTIES ARE FOR THE TRIAL OF FAITH . The physical difficulty of getting to Christ's presence we may view as a parable or allegory of deeper moral difficulties. How hard to be a Christian—to reach the truth and live in the light of it! Argument breaks down; many gaps... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

The sick of the palsy: the spiritual and physical healing. The excitement having subsided, Jesus enters again into Capernaum. He, in the house, was teaching, "Pharisees and doctors of the Law sitting by," from all parts. The mighty "power of the Lord was with him to heal," as was made evident before, or as was to be proved by this event. It being "noised that he was in the house, many were gathered together," crowding "about the door." But attention is arrested by the bold deed of four... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:1-12

Parallel passages: Matthew 9:2-8 ; Luke 5:17-26 .— The cure of the paralytic. I. THE POPULARITY OF OUR LORD . After the cure of the leper, recorded at the close of the preceding chapter, our Lord, to avoid tumult or undue excitement on the part of the people, or an unseasonable precipitation of his plans, retired to and remained some short time in unfrequented places; but the crowds kept resorting ( ἤρχοντο , imperfect) to him from all directions. After an interval of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:3-5

The pardon of the paralytic. This miracle is recorded also by Matthew and Luke. The former indicates its chronological position as occurring after the return from Gadara. Our gracious Lord "again entered into Capernaum," so slow is he to leave the most undeserving. The news of his arrival quickly spread; indeed, whenever he enters a home or a heart, he cannot be hid. True love and eager faith will surely find him, and in this passage we find an example of that truth. I. THE COMING ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 2:5

Son, thy sins be forgiven thee; literally, thy sins are forgiven. The word "son" is in the Greek the more endearing word ( τέκνον ) "child." St. Luke uses the word "man." St. Matthew adds the words "Be of good cheer." It is here to be carefully observed that the spiritual gift, the gift of forgiveness, is first conveyed; and we must also notice the authoritative character of the address, "Thy sins are forgiven." Bede observes here that our Lord first forgives his sins, that he might... read more

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