Mark 2:1-8 ▼

1 Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home.

2 So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God].

3 Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men.

4 When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.

5 When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said],

7 “Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus, being fully aware [of their hostility] and knowing in His spirit that they were thinking this, said to them, “Why are you debating and arguing about these things in your hearts?