but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's often overlooked is the specific word Luke uses for the "couch" – a diminutive, suggesting it was a lightweight mat or stretcher. This detail highlights not just the friends' determination, but also the practical feasibility of their bold, unconventional rescue, showcasing a faith that wasn't just fervent but also resourceful.
but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching, drawing a crowd and even attracting religious leaders who are watching Him closely, when some friends arrive carrying a paralyzed man. Desperate to get their friend to Jesus for healing, but unable to push through the throng, they find an unconventional way to reach him. They climb onto the roof and lower the man down directly into the room where Jesus is.
When the usual doors are closed, what happens to your faith? These friends found a way when there seemed to be no way.
The crowd blocked the normal entrance, presenting a real obstacle. But the paralytic's friends didn't give up. Instead of seeing the crowd as a final 'no,' they saw it as a prompt to get creative. They went to the roof – a common feature of homes in that region, often accessible by an external staircase.
This wasn't just about finding a loophole; it was an act of profound, active faith. They believed Jesus had the power to heal, and their determination to get their friend to Him overcame the physical barrier. Their actions show us that faith isn't passive; it's resourceful and persistent when faced with challenges.
What did these friends carry, and what does it reveal about the nature of their faith?
The text mentions they let the man down 'with his bed' or 'couch.' Scholars note the specific Greek word used (klinidion) suggests a light, portable stretcher or mat, possibly even something a woman could carry. This detail isn't just descriptive; it underscores the urgency and the friends' capability.
It paints a picture of a situation where the sick man wasn't immobile in a heavy bed, but on something easily transportable. This made their audacious plan feasible. Their faith, like the stretcher, was manageable, yet strong enough to bear the weight of their friend and their determined hope.
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Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues and performing miracles. His growing popularity attracts large crowds, including religious leaders and ordinary people seeking healing and instruction.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees and Teachers of the Law Observe Jesus
Pharisees and legal experts from across the region gather to observe Jesus. Their presence indicates the significant impact and growing controversy surrounding Jesus' ministry.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in a House in Capernaum
Jesus is teaching inside a house, likely a well-attended gathering with many people packed in and around the entrance.
Early 1st century AD
Roof Access in Ancient Homes
Many homes in ancient Galilee had accessible flat roofs, often with external stairs. These roofs served as practical spaces for gatherings, storage, or even entry, especially in crowded conditions.
Early 1st century AD
The Paralytic is Lowered Through the Roof
Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, the man's friends bravely ascend to the roof, remove tiles, and lower him on his mat directly before Jesus.
This passage describes the same event, highlighting the effort and determination of the friends to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus, even when facing obstacles.
John 14:12Jesus speaks about believers doing 'greater works' than he did, which can be seen in the faith and actions of these friends who found an extraordinary way to bring healing to their friend.
Hebrews 11:6This verse emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God, a principle clearly demonstrated by the unshakeable faith of the men who brought their friend to Jesus through the roof.
Philippians 2:4The passage encourages looking out for the interests of others, mirroring the selfless and persistent action of the friends who went to great lengths to bring their paralyzed companion to Jesus for healing.
barnesLuke 5:19: "And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."
The tiling - See the notes at Matthew 9:1-7 .
jfbLuke 5:17-26: "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them."
Lu 5:17-26. Paralytic Healed.(See on [1574]Mt 9:1-8).17. Pharisees and doctors … sitting by—the highest testimony yet borne to our Lord's growing influence, and the necessity increasingly felt by the ecclesiastics throughout the country of…
What's often overlooked is the specific word Luke uses for the "couch" – a diminutive, suggesting it was a lightweight mat or stretcher. This detail highlights not just the friends' determination, but also the practical feasibility of their bold, unconventional rescue, showcasing a faith that wasn't just fervent but also resourceful.
Jesus is teaching, drawing a crowd and even attracting religious leaders who are watching Him closely, when some friends arrive carrying a paralyzed man. Desperate to get their friend to Jesus for healing, but unable to push through the throng, they find an unconventional way to reach him. They climb onto the roof and lower the man down directly into the room where Jesus is.
Jesus is teaching, drawing a crowd and even attracting religious leaders who are watching Him closely, when some friends arrive carrying a paralyzed man. Desperate to get their friend to Jesus for healing, but unable to push through the throng, they find an unconventional way to reach him. They climb onto the roof and lower the man down directly into the room where Jesus is.
"but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus." — What's often overlooked is the specific word Luke uses for the "couch" – a diminutive, suggesting it was a lightweight mat or stretcher. This detail highlights not just the friends' determination, bu…
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Last reviewed October 2026