Mark 2

And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

And immediately he arose, 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.

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

What does Mark 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Mark 2:11 presents Jesus speaking directly to a paralytic whom He has just healed.

This moment is climactic in the narrative as it follows Jesus' earlier pronouncement of the man's sins being forgiven, which caused controversy among the religious observers.

The command to "Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house," is literal in the sense that Jesus is telling the man to get up and walk, but it also carries deeper meanings.

Symbolically, it illustrates the paralytic's newfound spiritual freedom and healing through Jesus' intervention.

His ability to walk away carrying his bed is evidence of his physical healing and a testament to the power and authority of Jesus, which also validates His authority to forgive sins.

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Historical Context

This event in Mark 2:11 takes place in the early part of Jesus' ministry in Galilee.

Jesus was in a house in Capernaum, a town on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which served as the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry.

Crowds gathered to hear Him preach, making the house so full that the friends of the paralytic had to open the roof to lower the man down for Jesus to heal him.

During this time, religious leaders were beginning to scrutinize Jesus' actions and teachings, which often challenged established Jewish customs and interpretations of the law.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse emphasizes the belief in Jesus' dual authority to heal both physically and spiritually.

It underscores the Christian doctrine of Jesus being God incarnate, with the power to forgive sins, which is a prerogative of God alone according to Jewish belief.

Some theological interpretations see the man's paralysis as symbolizing spiritual paralysis due to sin, and his healing as a metaphor for the restoration that comes through Jesus' forgiveness and salvation.

Practical Applications

The verse's teachings can be interpreted in modern life as an encouragement for individuals to take action in their healing and spiritual journeys. It may serve as a reminder that faith often requires active participation, and that transformation can necessitate both belief and tangible steps.

Furthermore, the directive to return home can be seen as a call to reintegrate into one's community with a renewed sense of purpose and to witness to others about personal change and healing.

Cross-References

Mark 2:5: "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
John 5:8: "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
Luke 5:24-25: "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God."

Matthew 9:6-7: "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

And he arose, and departed to his house."

Acts 3:6: "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "Arise" (ἔγειρε, egeire) carries the connotation of waking from sleep or rising up from lying down.

"Take up" (ἆρον, āron) implies lifting or carrying something, and "thy bed" (κράβαττόν σου, krabatton sou) refers to the mat or pallet on which the paralytic was lying, a common item for the poor of that time.

"Go thy way" (πορεύου, poreuou) suggests a command to embark on a journey or return to a familiar place, and "into thine house" (εἰς τὸν οἶκόν σου, eis ton oikon sou) specifies the destination which is the man's own home.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In cultural and religious comparisons, the act of carrying one's bed is not a commonly found motif in ancient myths.

However, themes of miraculous healings and divine figures with the power to forgive sins are present in various religious traditions. In some Greco-Roman myths, gods and demigods performed miraculous healings.

Moreover, in Judaic tradition, forgiveness is often linked to atonement and the role of the priesthood, contrasting with Jesus' direct pronouncement of forgiveness in Christian narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the concept of paralysis and its treatment differs widely from the ancient to the modern.

While today's understanding of paralysis involves neurological or physical trauma that may or may not be treatable, the Bible frames this healing as an instantaneous miracle performed by Jesus.

There is no known scientific basis for an immediate cure for paralysis by spoken command, which places this event firmly in the realm of miraculous according to the biblical account.

Commentaries

Various Biblical commentaries offer insights into this verse.

For instance, the MacArthur Study Bible notes the connection between the physical healing and the proof of Jesus' authority to forgive sins.

The Pulpit Commentary reflects on the shamelessness of the friends' faith in bringing the paralytic to Jesus.

Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes the man's obedience to Jesus' command as evidence of his faith and healing.

While scholars often agree on the importance of this event within the Gospel narrative, they may provide different applications and interpretations of its significance for contemporary readers and believers.

Mark 2

Mark 2

What does Mark 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 2:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?