Mark 2:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} Jesus {G2424} saw {G1492} their {G846} faith {G4102}, he said {G3004} unto the sick of the palsy {G3885}, Son {G5043}, thy {G4675} sins {G266} be forgiven {G863} thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Seeing their trust, Yeshua said to the paralyzed man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:5 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry in Capernaum, where He encounters a paralytic man brought by four determined friends. Rather than immediately addressing the man's physical ailment, Jesus, observing the extraordinary faith of the group, declares the man's sins forgiven. This profound statement not only demonstrates Jesus' divine authority to pardon sin but also reveals His primary concern for humanity's spiritual condition, setting the stage for a deeper theological confrontation with the religious authorities present.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pericope [Mark 2:1-12](/mark/2-1-12 "Mark 2:1-12 - Healing of the Paralytic") immediately follows Jesus' initial Galilean ministry, characterized by teaching, healing, and casting out demons, which drew large crowds. The narrative in Mark is rapidly building towards Jesus' confrontation with the religious establishment. The scene in Capernaum, a significant base for Jesus' early work, depicts a house so packed that entry is impossible. The dramatic act of the four friends lowering the paralytic through the roof highlights their unwavering faith and determination, serving as a powerful setup for Jesus' unexpected declaration. This event is the first of several "controversy stories" in Mark 2, where Jesus' actions and teachings directly challenge the prevailing religious norms and authority, escalating the conflict that will define much of His ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Capernaum was a thriving fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, a bustling hub that Jesus chose as His "home base" [Mark 2:1](/mark/2-1 "Mark 2:1 - Jesus Returns to Capernaum"). Houses in this period, particularly in Galilee, often had flat roofs accessible by external stairs, constructed with wooden beams, branches, and packed earth, making it feasible, though destructive, to open a hole. In Jewish thought, physical ailments like paralysis were often perceived as direct consequences of sin, either the individual's or their parents' [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Sin and Suffering"). Therefore, a paralytic's condition carried not only physical suffering but also social stigma and spiritual burden. The power to forgive sins was understood as an exclusive prerogative of God alone [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God Forgives Sins"). Jesus' declaration thus directly challenged the religious leaders' understanding of divine authority and their own role as interpreters of God's law.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 2:5 contributes significantly to several key themes in the Gospel of Mark. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Divine Authority**, particularly His unique power to forgive sins, a prerogative reserved for God alone. This immediately sparks controversy with the scribes, who recognize the blasphemous implications if Jesus were not truly divine [Mark 2:6-7](/mark/2-6-7 "Mark 2:6-7 - Scribes Question Jesus' Authority"). Another crucial theme is the **Nature of Faith**, exemplified not just by the paralytic but profoundly by his four friends. Their persistent, obstacle-overcoming faith is explicitly recognized by Jesus, underscoring the importance of communal support and intercessory action in bringing others to Christ. This passage also highlights **Jesus' Priority of Spiritual Healing over Physical**, demonstrating that while physical healing is a powerful sign, the deeper, more urgent need of humanity is reconciliation with God through the forgiveness of sins. This sets the stage for understanding the ultimate purpose of Jesus' ministry: to save humanity from sin [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb signifies more than mere physical sight; it implies perception, understanding, and knowledge. When Jesus "saw" their faith, He didn't just observe their actions but fully comprehended the depth and nature of their trust and persistence. It speaks to Jesus' divine insight, seeing beyond the physical act to the spiritual conviction driving it.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This term denotes persuasion, credence, and moral conviction. In this context, "faith" encompasses not only the belief in Jesus' power to heal but also the active reliance and trust demonstrated by the friends' extraordinary efforts. It is a dynamic, active faith that moves beyond passive belief to courageous action, believing in Jesus' ability to intervene.
* **forgiven (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb means "to send forth," "to release," "to remit," or "to send away." When Jesus declares sins "forgiven," it signifies a complete release from the burden, guilt, and penalty of sin. It is a definitive declaration of absolution, removing the spiritual barrier between the individual and God, and implying a restoration of relationship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus saw their faith,"**: This opening clause highlights Jesus' divine perception. He doesn't just see the physical act of lowering the man; He discerns the underlying spiritual reality—the collective, audacious faith of the four friends and, by extension, the paralytic himself. This faith is the catalyst for Jesus' subsequent action, underscoring its profound importance in the Kingdom of God.
* **"he said unto the sick of the palsy,"**: Jesus' direct address to the man is significant. Despite the crowd and the dramatic entrance, Jesus focuses His attention and compassion on the individual in need. The term "sick of the palsy" (paralytic) clearly identifies the man's physical condition, setting up the immediate expectation of a physical healing.
* **"Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."**: This is the pivotal declaration. Instead of the anticipated physical healing, Jesus addresses the man's spiritual condition first. The tender address "Son" (Greek, _téknon_) conveys deep compassion and affection, establishing a personal connection. The pronouncement of forgiveness is a direct assertion of divine authority, challenging the scribes' understanding of who alone can forgive sins, and revealing Jesus' primary mission to deal with humanity's deepest problem: sin.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in Mark 2:5 employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the religious experts (scribes) present are focused on the outward rules and the perceived blasphemy of Jesus' words, while Jesus, the true authority, sees and addresses the deeper, spiritual need. There is also **Symbolism**, where the man's physical paralysis can be seen as a symbol of humanity's spiritual bondage to sin, and Jesus' act of forgiveness as the ultimate liberation. The dramatic act of lowering the man through the roof serves as a powerful **Visual Metaphor** for the lengths to which faith will go to bring someone to Christ, overcoming all obstacles. Finally, the narrative employs **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' assertion of authority to forgive sins anticipates His later demonstration of power over physical ailments, thereby validating His divine claims and setting the stage for further confrontations with those who question His identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:5 is a foundational text for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. It unequivocally asserts His divine authority, particularly His unique power to forgive sins, a prerogative belonging to God alone. This declaration challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding and directly confronts the scribes, forcing them to grapple with Jesus' identity. The passage also highlights the transformative power of faith, not merely as intellectual assent but as active, persistent trust that moves mountains (or roofs!). It underscores the biblical truth that humanity's greatest need is not physical restoration but spiritual reconciliation with God through the remission of sins, a truth that echoes throughout the Old Testament promises of a new covenant and is fully realized in Christ.

* [Psalm 103:3](/psalm/103-3 "Psalm 103:3 - God Forgives All Your Sins")
* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")
* [Luke 5:24](/luke/5-24 "Luke 5:24 - The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 2:5 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, urging us to reflect on the nature of faith, the priority of spiritual needs, and the unparalleled authority of Jesus. The persistent faith of the four friends serves as a powerful model for intercessory ministry, challenging us to actively bring those who are spiritually or physically paralyzed by life's burdens to Jesus, no matter the obstacles. This requires compassion, creativity, and unwavering determination, reminding us that our faith is often best expressed in selfless action for others. Furthermore, Jesus' immediate focus on forgiving sins reminds us of the core of the Gospel: that our deepest need is spiritual reconciliation with God. While we often pray for physical healing or material provision, this passage redirects our focus to the eternal significance of being made right with our Creator. It assures us that Jesus has the ultimate authority to address our greatest spiritual malady, offering complete freedom from the guilt and power of sin. This truth should inspire both humble repentance and confident trust in His saving power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What obstacles might prevent us from bringing others to Jesus today, and how can we, like the four friends, creatively overcome them?**
* **How does Jesus' prioritization of spiritual forgiveness over physical healing challenge our own priorities in prayer and ministry?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm Jesus' divine authority, and how does that assurance impact your personal faith and trust in Him?**
* **What "paralysis" (spiritual, emotional, relational) in your own life or the lives of those you know needs to be brought before Jesus for His forgiveness and healing?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus forgive the paralytic's sins before healing his physical ailment?**

Answer: Jesus' decision to forgive the paralytic's sins first was a deliberate and profound theological statement. In the Jewish worldview of the time, physical suffering was often linked to sin [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Sin and Suffering"), and only God could truly forgive sins [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God Forgives Sins"). By declaring the man's sins forgiven, Jesus was asserting His divine authority and identity as God. He was addressing the man's deepest, eternal need—reconciliation with God—before His physical need. This action also served to provoke the scribes present, forcing them to confront His claims and setting the stage for Him to then demonstrate His authority to forgive by performing a visible, undeniable physical healing [Mark 2:10-12](/mark/2-10-12 "Mark 2:10-12 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic"). It highlighted that His primary mission was spiritual salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:5 profoundly points to Christ as the unique Son of God, possessing the very authority of God to forgive sins. This event is a powerful foreshadowing of His ultimate mission and the foundation of the New Covenant. The forgiveness offered to the paralytic is not merely a benevolent act but a demonstration of the power that would be fully unleashed through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, as the Lamb of God [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), would bear the sins of the world, making true and complete forgiveness available to all who believe. His declaration, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee," is a microcosm of the Gospel itself, revealing that Christ came not primarily to alleviate physical suffering, but to reconcile humanity to God through the remission of sin, thereby offering eternal life and spiritual liberation [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through His Blood, the Forgiveness of Sins"). This passage reassures us that the same Jesus who forgave the paralytic's sins continues to have the power and authority to forgive all who turn to Him in faith, fulfilling the prophetic promises of a Savior who would "save his people from their sins" [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins").

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

Matthew 9:2

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Mark 2:9

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?

Mark 2:10

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,)

Matthew 9:22

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Luke 7:47

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.

Luke 7:50

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.