Mark2

Jesus returns to Capernaum, where a paralytic is brought to him through the roof. Jesus first forgives the man's sins, then heals him, demonstrating his authority over both sin and sickness. He then calls Levi, a publican, to be his disciple and defends his practice of eating with publicans and sinners. Finally, Jesus addresses questions about fasting and clarifies the proper observance of the Sabbath, declaring himself Lord of the Sabbath.

Listen to this chapter

Jesus Heals the Paralytic

¶ 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.

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats with Sinners

¶ 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.

The Question of Fasting

¶ 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.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

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.

Study Notes for Mark 2

Verse 1

Capernaum served as Jesus's primary base of operations in Galilee. The phrase 'in the house' likely refers to Peter's home, which was functioning as Jesus's headquarters (cf. 1:29).

Verse 2

The massive crowds indicate the immediate and overwhelming public interest in Jesus following his initial ministry in Galilee.

Verse 4

This drastic action demonstrates the intense faith and determination of the paralytic’s friends. Galilean homes often had flat roofs accessed by external stairs, constructed of beams, brushwood, and packed mud, making temporary disassembly possible.

Verse 5

Jesus responds to the collective 'faith' of the men. By addressing the man’s spiritual condition first, Jesus intentionally provokes the religious authorities and asserts his divine authority over sin.

Verse 6

The scribes were experts in the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. Their presence marks the beginning of official religious opposition to Jesus in Mark’s Gospel.

Verse 7

The scribes correctly state the orthodox Jewish belief: only God can forgive sins. Their accusation of blasphemy is based on Jesus claiming a divine prerogative without providing visible proof.

Verse 10

Jesus uses the title 'Son of man,' a self-designation derived from Daniel 7:13, emphasizing his authority as a divinely appointed figure. The physical healing serves as empirical evidence that his authority to forgive sins is genuine.

Verse 12

The successful physical healing validates Jesus's earlier, invisible claim to forgive sins. The crowd's reaction moves from amazement to glorifying God, recognizing the divine power at work.

Verse 14

Levi (also known as Matthew) was a tax collector ('publican'), despised by fellow Jews for collaborating with the Roman government and often practicing extortion. Jesus’s call immediately elevated a social outcast to a position of discipleship.

Verse 15

To share a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance in ancient culture. Jesus’s willingness to eat with 'publicans and sinners' profoundly violated Jewish purity laws and social boundaries.

Verse 17

This is a pivotal summary of Jesus’s mission. By comparing himself to a physician, Jesus justifies his association with the marginalized and defines his ministry as one of radical grace and spiritual restoration.

Verse 18

Fasting was a common religious practice among pious Jews, often done for mourning or petition. The Pharisees and John’s disciples question why Jesus's followers ignore this tradition.

Verse 19

Jesus identifies himself as the 'bridegroom,' a significant messianic image in the Old Testament. His presence inaugurates a time of joy and celebration, making traditional mourning (fasting) inappropriate.

Verse 20

Jesus subtly predicts his passion and death ('shall be taken away'), indicating that the time of celebration is temporary and that solemnity and fasting will eventually be necessary.

Verse 21

The parables of the cloth and wineskins illustrate that Jesus’s new teaching and kingdom message are incompatible with the rigid, old legalistic framework of Pharisaic Judaism.

Verse 22

New wine continues to ferment and expand, requiring strong, flexible new wineskins. The new life and freedom of the Gospel cannot be confined by the restrictive forms of the old covenant.

Verse 23

While Deuteronomy 23:25 permitted plucking grain for immediate consumption, the Pharisees classified this act as 'reaping' or 'harvesting,' which they considered forbidden work on the Sabbath.

Verse 25

Jesus appeals to the example of David (1 Sam. 21:1–6) to establish the principle that immediate human need and mercy take precedence over strict ritual observance of the law.

Verse 26

The *shewbread* (Bread of the Presence) was reserved exclusively for priests. Jesus emphasizes that David's legitimate need justified setting aside this ritual law. The reference to 'Abiathar the high priest' is likely an allusion to the historical period, as Ahimelech was high priest at that moment.

Verse 27

This verse is the thesis statement defining the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a gift designed for the benefit of humanity—rest, refreshment, and worship—not a burdensome, oppressive restriction.

Verse 28

Jesus asserts his ultimate authority over the Sabbath institution itself. As the Son of Man, he has the right to interpret, redefine, and utilize the law according to his divine purpose.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Mark2

Jesus Heals the Paralytic

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats with Sinners

The Question of Fasting

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options