Jesus Heals a Paralytic

(Matthew 9:1–8, Mark 2:1–12)

17 One day [Jesus] was teaching, and [the] Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting [there]. [People] had come from Jerusalem and from every village of Galilee and Judea, and [the] power of [the] Lord was [present] for Him to heal [the sick].

18 Just then [some] men [came] carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before [Jesus], 19 but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on [his] mat through the tiles into the middle [of the crowd], right in front of Jesus.

20 When [Jesus] saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven

21 But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves “Who is this [man] who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

22 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied “Why are you thinking [these things] in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to forgive sins…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, [and] go home.”

25 And immediately [the man] stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 Everyone was taken with amazement and glorified God. They were filled with awe [and] said “We have seen remarkable things today.”