Topical Bible: Pardon: The Paralytic

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Topical Encyclopedia

The account of the pardon of the paralytic is a significant event in the ministry of Jesus Christ, illustrating His authority to forgive sins and His compassion for human suffering. This narrative is found in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26. Each account provides a unique perspective on the event, yet they collectively emphasize the themes of faith, forgiveness, and divine authority.

Context and Setting

The event takes place in Capernaum, a town that served as a central hub for Jesus' ministry in Galilee. Jesus had returned to Capernaum after traveling and performing miracles in the surrounding regions. His reputation as a healer and teacher had spread, drawing large crowds eager to witness His works and hear His teachings.

The Event

In Mark 2:1-12, the narrative begins with Jesus teaching in a house so crowded that there was no room even at the door. Four men arrived, carrying a paralytic on a mat, determined to bring him to Jesus. Unable to reach Him through the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the paralytic down.

Upon seeing their faith, Jesus addressed the paralytic, saying, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). This declaration of forgiveness was met with skepticism and silent accusations of blasphemy from some scribes present, who questioned, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7).

Jesus' Authority to Forgive Sins

Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus challenged the scribes, asking, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?" (Mark 2:8-9). To demonstrate His authority on earth to forgive sins, Jesus commanded the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home" (Mark 2:11). The man immediately stood up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of them all, leaving the crowd amazed and glorifying God.

Theological Significance

The pardon of the paralytic underscores several key theological principles. First, it highlights the connection between sin and suffering, a common belief in Jewish thought, though not always a direct correlation. Jesus' initial act of forgiving the man's sins suggests that spiritual healing is of utmost importance, even preceding physical healing.

Second, the event affirms Jesus' divine authority. By forgiving sins, Jesus implicitly claims equality with God, a bold assertion that challenges the religious leaders' understanding of the Messiah and the nature of divine authority.

Third, the narrative emphasizes the role of faith. The faith of the paralytic's friends, demonstrated by their determination to bring him to Jesus, is pivotal in the unfolding of the miracle. Their actions exemplify the belief that Jesus has the power to heal and forgive, a faith that Jesus acknowledges and rewards.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the pardon of the paralytic serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' compassion and His willingness to address both spiritual and physical needs. It encourages Christians to approach Jesus with faith, trusting in His power to forgive and restore. The event also calls believers to recognize Jesus' divine authority and to respond with worship and gratitude, as the crowd did, glorifying God for the miraculous works performed through His Son.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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 to the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; your sins be forgiven you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... implying that other miracles had been wrought that day, before the arrival of the
paralytic. ... As the terms of pardon prescribed in the law were yet in full force ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxv jesus heals a paralytic.htm

In Fine, Supplication for Pardon, with Humble and Ingenuous ...
... Having determined to cure the paralytic, he says, "Thy sins are forgiven thee;"
in ... of present guilt which believers employ, in supplicating for pardon of every ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 9 in fine supplication.htm

Christ Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum, and the Pharisees Accuse ...
... he needed, for the healing of his soul, a sensible pledge of the pardon of his ... Divine
power of his words revivified the dead limbs of the paralytic proved that ...
/.../section 168 christ heals a.htm

Further Proofs of the Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the ...
... Same Truth in the Same Chapter, from the Healing of the Paralytic, and from ... Jezebel,
guilty of idolatry and of the blood of Naboth, obtained pardon because of ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x further proofs of the.htm

Soul-Healing First: Body-Healing Second
... Even that peace was lower in kind than that which brought sweet repose in
the assurance of pardon to this poor paralytic. Forgiveness ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture b/soul-healing first body-healing second.htm

Of Martyrs, and their Intercession on Behalf of Scandalous ...
... tell publicly the secrets of the heart, that He may thus concede (pardon to) sins ...
For which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Thy sins are remitted thee; or ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xxii of martyrs and their.htm

The Sick of the Palsy
... of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" "He said to the paralytic, "I say
to ... that he felt thus, for Jesus made him of good cheer by pardon rather than ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 1-12 the sick of.htm

Blasphemer, or --Who?
... No doubt, something in the paralytic's case determined Christ's method with him. ...
his friends sought for his healing, he himself was more anxious for pardon. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/blasphemer orwho.htm

John v. 6, 7
... he neither concealed this, nor said that, nor asked for pardon, but with loud voice
confessed and proclaimed the benefit. Thus did the paralytic; but consider ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxvii john v 6.htm

Faith and Acceptance
... the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to ... of all who
comply with the conditions to know for themselves that pardon is freely ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 6 faith and acceptance.htm