Jesus sees not just the friends' faith, but the paralytic's faith too, seeing it as something shared and intertwined. By calling him "my son" and addressing his sins first, Jesus highlights that forgiveness is the deeper healing, the true restoration that underpins physical well-being.
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just returned to His "own city" (Capernaum) and is teaching in a crowded house. A group of friends brings a man paralyzed and unable to walk to Jesus, desperate for healing. Their determined effort to reach Jesus, overcoming the obstacle of the dense crowd, reveals their strong faith.
Ever wondered if your faith can impact others? In this passage, a whole group's belief moves Jesus to act.
Jesus doesn't just see the faith of the paralytic man; He sees the faith of the friends who brought him. This highlights a powerful truth: our faith isn't meant to be a solo act.
When Jesus saw the paralytic, He didn't immediately address the physical ailment. Why did He start with forgiveness?
Jesus’s first words to the paralytic are, 'Your sins are forgiven.' This wasn't a random choice; it reveals a profound spiritual reality:
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The scribes were outraged by Jesus's words. What claim did Jesus make that caused such a stir?
The scribes' reaction—'This man blasphemeth!'—highlights the audacious claim Jesus made. Only God can forgive sins, and by declaring the paralytic's sins forgiven, Jesus was implicitly claiming divinity.
Understand the original words
idou · Greek Interjection
A term often used in the Gospels to introduce an event of great importance or surprise, serving to draw the reader's attention to the significance of what is about to be narrated.
paralytikos · Greek Adjective/Noun
A person afflicted with paralysis or palsy; in the ancient world, often a state of utter helplessness, frequently associated in the popular mind of the time with judgment or divine curse, though Jesus challenges these assumptions.
pistis · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, it is the responsive trust of the human heart in the person and power of God; it is not a work of merit but a reliance upon God's gracious provision.
hamartia · Greek Noun
A violation of God's law or a failure to conform to His moral standard, resulting in separation from God and requiring atonement. It represents a state of guilt that only God can remove.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The act of releasing a debt or transgression; in a theological sense, it refers to the removal of the legal and moral barrier between God and humanity, accomplished by divine grace.
grammateus · Greek Noun
Jewish scholars and interpreters of the Mosaic Law; they were the authorized teachers and defenders of the religious traditions and scriptures in First Century Judaism.
blasphēmeō · Greek Verb
An act of defiant irreverence or speaking impiously against God, claiming for oneself the attributes or authority that belong exclusively to God.
This event occurs during Jesus' active ministry in Galilee, specifically in Capernaum. The packed crowds and the presence of critical religious leaders highlight the public nature of Jesus' ministry and the spiritual tension of the time.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus begins teaching and healing throughout Galilee, attracting large crowds and arousing the interest and suspicion of religious leaders.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Enters Capernaum
Jesus returns to Capernaum, his 'own city' where he had based much of his Galilean ministry. His presence quickly becomes known.
Early 1st century AD
Crowds Gather to Hear Jesus
Many people are eager to hear Jesus' teachings, filling the house where he is staying and the surrounding areas. This creates a packed environment.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees and Scribes Observe Jesus
Religious leaders, including Pharisees and teachers of the law from across Judea and Jerusalem, come to observe Jesus, some with a critical and questioning attitude.
This passage describes the same event, emphasizing the crowd's difficulty in bringing the man to Jesus, which highlights the extraordinary faith of those who persevered.
Mark 2:5This parallel account shows Jesus directly addressing the paralytic's faith, similar to Matthew 9:2, and underscores the scribes' internal questioning of Jesus' authority to forgive sins.
Isaiah 33:24This prophetic passage speaks of forgiveness of sins and healing of disease as divine acts, foreshadowing Jesus' dual action of forgiving sins and healing the paralytic in Matthew 9:2.
1 Corinthians 1:27This passage speaks about God choosing the weak and foolish things to confound the wise, which resonates with Jesus using a paralyzed man, seen as weak and perhaps sinful, to display His divine power.
James 5:15This verse directly links the forgiveness of sins with healing, mirroring Jesus' action in Matthew 9:2 where He forgives the paralytic's sins before healing his body.
calvinMatthew 9:1-8: "And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city."
- And entering into a ship, he passed over, and came into his own city. 2. And, lo, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Take courage, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. 3. And, lo, some of the scribes said among themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4. And when Jesus saw their thoughts, he said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5. For…
pooleMatthew 9:2: "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."
The history of this miracle is reported by Mark 2:3-12 ; by Luke, Luke 5:18-26 ; by both with more circumstances than Matthew doth report it. Mark saith, He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch tha…
Jesus sees not just the friends' faith, but the paralytic's faith too, seeing it as something shared and intertwined. By calling him "my son" and addressing his sins first, Jesus highlights that forgiveness is the deeper healing, the true restoration that underpins physical well-being.
Jesus has just returned to His "own city" (Capernaum) and is teaching in a crowded house. A group of friends brings a man paralyzed and unable to walk to Jesus, desperate for healing. Their determined effort to reach Jesus, overcoming the obstacle of the dense crowd, reveals their strong faith.
Jesus has just returned to His "own city" (Capernaum) and is teaching in a crowded house. A group of friends brings a man paralyzed and unable to walk to Jesus, desperate for healing. Their determined effort to reach Jesus, overcoming the obstacle of the dense crowd, reveals their strong faith.
"And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is bl…" — Jesus sees not just the friends' faith, but the paralytic's faith too, seeing it as something shared and intertwined. By calling him "my son" and addressing his sins first, Jesus highlights that forg…
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Last reviewed October 2026
