Mark 2:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they come {G2064} unto {G4314} him {G846}, bringing {G5342} one sick of the palsy {G3885}, which was borne {G142} of {G5259} four {G5064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

four men came to him carrying a paralyzed man.

Berean Standard Bible

Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men.

American Standard Version

And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:3 vividly portrays the desperate efforts of four men who, driven by faith and compassion, bring a paralytic to Jesus in Capernaum. This verse marks the beginning of a dramatic encounter that showcases Jesus' authority over both physical illness and spiritual sin, setting the stage for a profound theological declaration and a challenge to the religious establishment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 2:3 immediately follows a description of Jesus' return to Capernaum, His "own city" according to [Matthew 9:1](/matthew/9-1 "Matthew 9:1 - Jesus Returns to Capernaum"), and the rapid gathering of a massive crowd. [Mark 2:2](/mark/2-2 "Mark 2:2 - The Crowded House") explicitly states that the house where Jesus was teaching was so full "there was no room to receive them, no not so much as about the door." This verse, therefore, introduces the extraordinary lengths to which people were willing to go to reach Jesus, highlighting the intense demand for His presence and the physical barriers that had to be overcome. It sets up the subsequent narrative of the paralytic's healing and the controversial pronouncement of sin forgiveness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Capernaum, a bustling fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, served as Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry. Houses in this period were typically modest, often single-story, with flat roofs accessible by an external staircase. These roofs were commonly used for various activities, including sleeping and storage, and were constructed with a framework of beams, branches, and packed earth, making them somewhat pliable. The immense crowd gathering at the house reflects the common practice of public teaching and healing, where news of a miracle worker would spread rapidly, drawing people from surrounding towns. The act of carrying a paralytic on a mat was a common sight, as such individuals were entirely dependent on others for mobility.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 2:3 introduces and reinforces several key themes prevalent in Mark's Gospel. The **urgency and popularity of Jesus' ministry** are evident in the overwhelming crowd, demonstrating the spiritual hunger of the people and the compelling nature of Jesus' message and power. The **faith and perseverance** of the paralytic's friends are powerfully displayed, illustrating a proactive, tenacious faith that overcomes significant obstacles to bring someone to Christ. This act also underscores the theme of **community and intercession**, emphasizing the vital role of supportive friends in bringing healing and salvation to others. Furthermore, the ensuing narrative, initiated by this verse, will pivot to Jesus' authority, particularly His power to forgive sins, a theme central to understanding His divine identity and mission as presented throughout [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "Mark's Gospel - The Good News of Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This primary verb signifies movement towards a destination, often implying purpose or intention. In this context, it emphasizes the active, deliberate effort of the men to reach Jesus, despite the physical impediments. It suggests a determined approach, not a casual arrival.
* **palsy (Greek, _paralytikós'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to loosen" or "dissolve," this term describes a state of paralysis, where the body's limbs are "dissolved" or rendered useless. It vividly conveys the man's complete helplessness and dependence, highlighting the severity of his physical condition and the profound nature of the healing Jesus is about to perform.
* **borne (Greek, _aírō'_):** This versatile verb means "to lift up," "to take up," or "to carry." Here, it underscores the physical exertion and collaborative effort of the four men. It implies not just passive transport but an active, burdensome carrying, emphasizing their commitment and the weight of their compassionate task.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they come unto him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the action and direction. "They" refers to the four individuals introduced in the latter part of the verse, highlighting their collective initiative. Their movement "unto him" (Jesus) signifies their clear objective and the central role of Jesus as the destination of hope and healing.
* **"bringing one sick of the palsy,"**: This specifies the object of their journey – a man suffering from paralysis. The term "sick of the palsy" (paralytic) immediately conveys the man's profound physical disability and utter dependence, setting the stage for a miraculous intervention that goes beyond mere physical healing.
* **"which was borne of four."**: This concluding phrase provides a crucial detail about the means of transport and the number of people involved. The passive voice "was borne" emphasizes the man's inability to move himself, while "of four" highlights the extraordinary communal effort and dedication required to bring him to Jesus, underscoring the depth of their friendship and faith.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Conciseness** is paramount in Mark's Gospel, and here, the description is direct and to the point, quickly establishing the scene and the characters without unnecessary embellishment. The detail "borne of four" serves as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where the "four" stand in for the collective effort and faith of the friends, emphasizing their unity and determination. This specific detail also functions as a powerful **Visual Imagery**, allowing the reader to immediately picture the arduous task of carrying a disabled man through a dense crowd. The entire scene, initiated by this verse, is a **Foreshadowing** of the dramatic events to follow, particularly the unconventional entry through the roof, which underscores the extraordinary measures taken to access Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:3 is not merely an account of a physical journey; it is a profound illustration of active faith and compassionate intercession, serving as a powerful theological statement about the nature of true discipleship and the accessibility of divine power. The friends' unwavering determination to overcome significant physical barriers to bring their friend to Jesus speaks volumes about their belief in Jesus' ability to heal, both physically and spiritually. This act of "bearing" another's burden to the feet of Christ is a tangible expression of the love and community that should characterize the body of believers. It underscores the truth that sometimes, our faith is expressed not just for ourselves, but on behalf of others, paving the way for God's transformative work in their lives. This narrative sets the stage for Jesus' radical claim of authority to forgive sins, demonstrating that His mission extends beyond physical healing to address the deepest human need—reconciliation with God.

* [Matthew 9:2](/matthew/9-2 "Matthew 9:2 - Jesus Forgives Sins")
* [Luke 5:18](/luke/5-18 "Luke 5:18 - The Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof")
* [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bear One Another's Burdens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 2:3 offers a compelling challenge for contemporary believers, urging us to embody a tenacious, intercessory faith that actively brings others into the presence of Jesus. In a world often characterized by isolation and self-reliance, this passage reminds us of the profound impact of communal effort and compassionate action. It calls us to identify those in our lives—friends, family, neighbors, or even strangers—who are spiritually or physically paralyzed by their circumstances, unable to reach Jesus on their own. Our role, like that of the four friends, is to become conduits of grace, willing to overcome obstacles, expend effort, and even think unconventionally to connect others with the source of true healing and forgiveness. This verse encourages us to cultivate a faith that is not merely passive belief but an active, burden-bearing love that seeks the holistic well-being of others, trusting that Jesus has the power to address both the visible and invisible ailments of the human condition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Who in my life is "sick of the palsy" (spiritually, emotionally, or physically) and needs to be brought to Jesus?**
* **What "crowds" or "obstacles" might be preventing someone from encountering Christ, and how can I help remove them?**
* **Am I willing to expend significant effort and creativity, even "breaking through the roof," to bring others to Jesus?**
* **How does my community or church actively embody the "borne of four" principle in its outreach and care for others?**

### FAQ

**Why did the friends go through so much trouble to bring the paralytic to Jesus?**

Answer: The friends went to such extraordinary lengths—carrying the man, navigating a massive crowd, and even dismantling a roof—because they possessed an unwavering faith in Jesus' power to heal. They understood that direct access to Jesus was the man's only hope for restoration. Their actions demonstrate a deep compassion for their friend and a tenacious belief that Jesus could do what no one else could, highlighting the desperate need and the profound trust placed in Jesus' authority and ability, as seen when Jesus later commends their faith in [Mark 2:5](/mark/2-5 "Mark 2:5 - Jesus Sees Their Faith").

**What does "borne of four" signify?**

Answer: The phrase "borne of four" signifies the collective effort, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment of the man's friends. It emphasizes that the paralytic was completely dependent on others for mobility and that his friends were willing to undertake a significant physical burden to bring him to Jesus. This detail highlights the power of supportive community and intercessory action, illustrating how a group united by faith and love can overcome immense obstacles to help someone in need, reflecting the principle of [bearing one another's burdens](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bear One Another's Burdens").

**Was it common for people to access houses through the roof in biblical times?**

Answer: While not an everyday occurrence, accessing houses through the roof was feasible and, in extreme circumstances like this, a practical solution. First-century Galilean homes often had flat roofs made of packed earth, clay, and straw over wooden beams, accessible by an external staircase. These roofs were used for various activities. In situations where the main entrance was impassable due to crowds, removing part of the roof to lower someone down, though an unconventional and disruptive act, was physically possible and demonstrates the extreme determination of the friends to reach Jesus, as described in [Luke 5:19](/luke/5-19 "Luke 5:19 - They Let Him Down Through the Tiling").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:3, while describing a physical act of bringing a paralytic to Jesus, profoundly foreshadows the Christ-centered fulfillment found in the New Covenant. The "borne of four" represents the collective human need for salvation and the active role of the community of faith in bringing the lost to Christ. Just as the paralytic was utterly dependent on his friends for physical access to Jesus, humanity is utterly dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ for spiritual healing and forgiveness. Jesus' subsequent declaration, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee," in [Mark 2:5](/mark/2-5 "Mark 2:5 - Jesus Forgives Sins"), immediately elevates the narrative beyond physical healing to the ultimate spiritual restoration offered through Him. This act of forgiveness, which only God can grant, points directly to Jesus' divine identity and His ultimate mission as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The friends' persistent faith to bring the sick to Jesus prefigures the Church's ongoing mission to proclaim the Gospel and bring all people to the One who can truly heal their deepest spiritual maladies and grant eternal life, fulfilling the Great Commission found in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission"). The scene is a powerful visual parable of the Gospel: people, helpless in their sin, are brought by the loving, persistent efforts of others to the only One who can offer complete and lasting redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:18

And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought [means] to bring him in, and to lay [him] before him.

Luke 5:26

And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

Matthew 9:1

¶ And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

Matthew 9:8

But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.