Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26
Two years ago we covered three events in Matthew 9:1-17, but only focused on the second, the call of Levi, the tax collector; I made no comments on Matthew’s healing of the paralytic, so only Mark’s and Luke’s accounts are covered in the links below.
I mention in the first link below that …Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem (Mark 2:17), and I noted that Jesus’ fame was spreading. However, there’s more to it than just fame. I hope Carol will post – she has enlightened me that the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem were always on the lookout for anyone claiming to be the Messiah or someone who was healing or teaching or recruiting followers. So the Pharisees and Scribes may have been there to check Jesus out – and probably with an eye to discredit Him. Unfortunately for them, Jesus was up to the task and the Pharisees got more than they bargained for!
My Study Bible had an interesting note on Jesus’ question, Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? (Mt. 9:5, Mk. 2:9, Lk. 5:23) Clearly Jesus is asking a question for which the Pharisees have no answer. Neither forgiveness nor healing are “easy” – only God can forgive sins and only God can perform miraculous healings. Having put these two actions on the same level, by instantly healing the paralytic Jesus was claiming to be able to do both, thereby claiming that He was God. Very interesting…!!
See also: February 20 / Mark 2:1-12; February 21 / Luke 5:17-26
One small item I forgot to add, folks. We’re always amazed at the paralytic’s friends lowering this man through a hole in the roof. But today, a new small item – it probably took four men to carry the paralytic on a “bed / pallet” (Mark’s account), so there were five grown men (or older boys) up on that roof. It had to be a good, solid roof! BUT, they also had to carry the man up a flight of stairs to get to the roof! Have you ever been part of a group of four men carrying a large couch up a flight of stairs? And maintaining the balance of the bed throughout so that they don’t tip the paralytic off his bed…??!! Dedicated men – clearly full of love for their friend!!!
As a child, this story is one that had a great impact on me. It demonstrated the crowds that Jesus was attracting, and the desperation of those who tore a hole in the roof, so they could lower their paralyzed friend for Jesus’ healing. That must have been a powerful and dramatic moment. What escaped me as a child was that Jesus forgave the man’s sins, which raised the ire of the Pharisees present. I only remembered Jesus having told the man to get up and having healed him. Now I see that by forgiving the man’s sins, he was taking a bold stance and proclaiming himself the Messiah. I think everyone was in awe, except the Pharisees, who now were becoming afraid of the power this Jesus had over the poor and oppressed.
By having dinner with a tax collector and many sinners, it appears Jesus further incited angst among the Pharisees. His answer to them that he was healing the sick and not the healthy, because he had come to call the sinners – not the righteous was opposite of what the Pharisees wanted from a Son of God. In their minds, he should be honoring those who lived “proper” lives. This was again offensive to those in power, and Jesus was gaining converts among the people, but sealing his fate with the Pharisees.
I have to wonder where I would have been; awestruck and a believer, or offended as were the Pharisees? Or, perhaps a little of both?
Regarding the “Which is easier…?” question, it seems to me that one big difference between the two is visibility. That is, forgiveness is invisible — and therefore unprovable — whereas the healing is right there in front of them for all to witness. One can say things like “Your sins are forgiven” freely and no one can really argue except on a theological basis — “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But saying “Rise…” to a paralytic either has an obvious effect or it doesn’t. Apparently, Jesus does indeed have the authority that He claims.