Mark 2:11

2:1-12 It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried, and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should be in men, toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith and strong faith may work in various ways; but it shall be accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his power to cure the man sick of the palsy. And his curing diseases was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like. Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a physician, therefore despise or neglect Christ and his gospel. But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all help, excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to him without delay.

I say unto thee, arise, and take up thy bed,.... He bid him, in an authoritative way to arise from his bed, in which he was brought, and on which he lay before him, and take it up upon his shoulders, directly, and in the face of all the people, carry it away: and go thy way into thine house; to show himself whole to his family and friends, and go about his business; See Gill on Matthew 9:6,

Mark 2:11 . σοὶ λέγω , I say to thee, a part of Christ’s speech to the man in Mk., not likely to have been so really; laconic speech, the fewest words possible, characteristic of Jesus.— ἔγειρε , means something more than age (Fritzsche) = come, take up thy bed. Jesus bids him do two things, each a conclusive proof of recovery: rise , then go to thy house on thine own feet, with thy sick-bed on thy shoulder.

Their faith - Their confidence or belief that he could heal them. Son - Literally, "child." The Hebrews used the words "son" and "child" with a great latitude of signification. They were applied to children, to grandchildren, to adopted children, to any descendants, to disciples, followers, young people, and to dependents. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. In this place it denotes affection or kindness. It was a word of consolation - an endearing appellation, applied by the Saviour to the sick man to show his "compassion," to inspire confidence, and to assure him that he would heal him. We never saw it on this fashion - Literally, "We never saw it so." We never saw anything like this.

of honour, but of humiliation, and could not therefore be employed without irreverence by any but himself, while he was upon earthj or in a state of voluntary humiliation. 11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Havinp; stated his argument, he now applies it, by exhibiting the very proof of his authority to pardon sin which he had shown to be conclusive. To forgive sin and to heal disease are superhuman powers, to claim which is equally easy, and to exercise them equally difficult. If I pronounce this man forgiven, j^ou may deny it, but you cannot bring my declaration to the test of observation, since forgiveness is a change not cognizable by the senses. But if I assert the other power, you can instantly detect the falsehood of my claim, by showing that the paralysis continues. If, on the contrary, it disappears at my command, the proof thus furnished of the truth of one claim may convince you that the other is no less well founded. Thus far he had addressed the scribes; then turning to the palsied man, To thee I say^ Arise, taTce up thy couch and go away into thy house. 12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went fortli before them all ; insomucli that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, AVe never saw it on this fashion.

] Whether is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say, arise and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, then saith He to the sick of the palsy: Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." And in the same way in the case of the man who had been lying for thirty-eight years near the edge of the pool, and hoping for a cure from the moving of the water, He showed the princely character of His bounty unasked

and says to him, See thou say nothing to any one, but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing what Moses ordained, for a testimony to them. But he, having gone forth, began to proclaim [it] much, and to spread the matter abroad, so that he could no longer enter openly into the city, but was without in desert places, and they came to him from every side. Chapter 2 And he entered again into Capernaum after [several] days, and it was reported that he was at [the] house; and straightway many were gathered together, so that there was no longer any room, not even at the door; and he spoke the word to them. And there come to him [men] bringing a paralytic, borne by four; and, not being able to get near to him on account of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was, and having dug [it] up they let down the couch on which the paralytic lay. But Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, Child, thy sins are forgiven [thee]. But certain of the scribes were there sitting, and reasoning in their hearts, Why does this [man] thus speak? he blasphemes. Who is able to forgive sins except God alone? And straightway Jesus, knowing in his spirit that they are reasoning thus within themselves, said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, [Thy] sins are forgiven [thee]; or to say, Arise, and take up thy couch and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic,