Mark 2:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 2:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.
Mark 2:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they came unto him, etc..] A considerable body of people, townsmen, friends, and relations of the person after mentioned: bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four; carried by four men upon their shoulders, as if he was a dead carcass; so weak and enfeebled was he by his disease, that he could not walk, or be otherwise brought; or rather upon a bed, which four men, at the four comers of it, carried in their hands; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, “four men carried him on a bed”; and certain it is, by what follows, that he was brought upon a bed. This man's case appears to be a very bad one, and what seems to be incurable by the art of medicine: it was not a slight…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they come unto him--that is, towards the house where He was. bringing one sick of the palsy--"lying on a bed" (Mat 9:2). which was borne of four--a graphic particular of Mark only.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this miracle explained in Matthew 9:2-8. Palsy - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. Borne of four - Carried upon a couch Matthew 9:2 by four men. Mark 2:4 The press - The crowd, the multitude of people. Jesus was probably in the large open area or hall in the center of the house. See the notes at Matthew 9:2. The people pressed into the area, and blocked up the door so that they could not have access to him. They uncovered the roof where he was - See the notes at Matthew 9:2. When they had broken it up - When they had removed the awning or covering, so that they could let the man down. See the notes at Matthew 9:2. Mark 2:5 Their faith - Their confidence or belief that he could heal them.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 9:2; Luk 5:18. Mark 2:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bringing: Mat 9:1, Mat 9:2-8; Luk 5:18-26 Mark 2:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification