In three New Testament gospels Jesus heals a paralysed man early in his ministry. Mark, Matthew and Luke each record this miracle with similar detail. However, the most detailed account of is in the gospel according to Mark:
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:1-12 ESV
See also: Luke 5:17-26 and Matthew 9:1-8
Mark writes that Jesus returned to a town named Capernaum, which is near the sea of Galilee and home to Simon Peter and Andrew. Previously, Jesus had crossed the sea to the country of the Gadarenes before being drove out of the country (Matthew 8:28-34). Jesus then returned to Capernaum (Matthew 9:1).
In the first verse Mark writes that Jesus was at home, but Jesus did not own his own house. Instead he stayed in the home of Simon Peter and Andrew. This home became the centre of Jesus' ministry and many miracles were performed in this area. While staying at their home, many came from around the area to be healed and to hear Jesus teach.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.
Mark 1:21
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Mark 1:29 ESV
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Matthew 8:20
Four men and their paralysed friend heard that Jesus was in the area and that he was miraculously healing the sick (Luke 5:17). When they arrived the doorway was full (Mark 2:2) and they could not find a way in while carrying their friend (Luke 5:19). In order to reach Jesus they remove tiles from the roof and lowered him into the centre of the room (Mark 2:4). Jesus recognized their faith, all five of them, and decided to forgive the paralysed man of his sins:
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:5 ESV
The Pharisees, who were teachers of Jewish law, along with the scribes, all became upset by Jesus saying "Son, your sins are forgiven". Jesus had already upset the teachers in the synagogues and they wanted to throw him off a cliff (Luke 4:29). When they heard this teaching of sins being forgiven they condemned Jesus as blasphemous rather than ask by what authority does he forgive their sins.
While the Pharisees and scribes were pondering this in their hearts, Jesus perceived their anger in his spirit (Mark 2:8, Matthew 9:4, Luke 5:22). He then compares the ability to forgiven sins and heal the man and proceeds to heal the man to demonstrate his ability to forgive sins:
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:9-12
Who witnessed Jesus heal the paralytic?
In the story there are several key people identified as being present. Out of all the testimonies each makes reference to:
Jesus
Paralytic man and four friends
Pharisees and scribes
A crowd
Outside of these passages there are some reasons to believe that Jesus may have been accompanied by several disciples. Many scholars believe that Jesus didn't own a house in Capernaum, but instead was staying in the home of Simon Peter and Andrew. Therefore, it's very likely that the disciples were also present to witness the events and testify later.
Why did Jesus heal the paralysed man?
In the story, Jesus begins by forgiving the man of his sins according to their faith. Jesus refers to the faith of the paralytic man and his four friends. However, the men had come seeking healing.
To demonstrate that Jesus could forgive sins, he leads by forgiving sins rather than healing. This differs to most other instances of healing where Jesus meets the physical needs prior to the spiritual needs. Jesus uses the anger of the pharisees and scribes to demonstrate that he can forgive sins and heal the sick.
The obvious implication is that Jesus demonstrates his ability to forgive sins. This evidence is crucial in accepting that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is sufficient for cleansing unrighteousness of sinners.
However, there are some other considerations that are rarely discussed, but of some theological importance or interest:
The Power of the Lord was with him to heal
In the gospel according to Luke it is written that "the power of the Lord was with him to heal." This phrase is misunderstood by Jack Deere (a charismatic theologian) to mean that Jesus was incapable of healing according to his own will. While it's an interesting point of discussion, Jesus is both fully God and fully man.
When Jesus emptied himself to enter the world, it did not diminish his divine nature, only that he humbled himself to take the form of a servant:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-7
Contrary to the viewpoint of Jack Deere in his book "Surprised by the Power of the Spirit" (page 59) this verse does not support the impotency or dependency of Christ. As Jack Deere writes it:
"Why would Luke say that "the power of the Lord was present for him to heal" if Jesus could heal at any time, under any condition, and solely at his own discretion? This statement only makes sense if we view healing as the sovereign prerogative of God the Father, who sometimes dispenses his power to heal and at other times witholds it"
An interpretation more fitting of the passage is that "on this day, Jesus was performing miracles of healing." Jesus has always retained his divine nature, and as God his power to heal was never affected by his incarnate form. However, there were some days when he sought to teach and others when he sought to heal. Clearly on this day, Jesus did both and that seems to be the point.
The faith of a few matters for the many
In each of the three gospels before Jesus forgives the paralytics sin, he remarks on their faith. All three accounts use this plural and it's unlikely a mistake. Afterall, the paralysed man may have had faith, but he wasn't able to lower himself from the roof - it was all five of them that demonstrated faith:
And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Luke 5:20 ESV
And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:5 ESV
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:2 ESV
The implication for Christian believers is that your faith matters. Whether that's having faith that God can save your family and friends, or faith that God can heal. When Christians come together and work in faith, it can bring a huge benefit to our ministry. That's why pastors are often keen to promote weekly prayer meetings. It's not for their sake, it's for everyone else's.
Comments