Mark 2:5

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 2:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.
Mark 2:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When Jesus saw their faith, etc..] The faith of the sick man, and his friends, who seemed confident, that could they get at Christ, a cure would be wrought: the faith of the one appears in suffering himself to be brought in such a manner, under so much weakness; and with so much trouble; and of the other in bringing him, and breaking through so many difficulties to get him to Christ. He said unto the sick of the palsy, son, thy sins be forgiven thee; pointing and striking at the root of his disorder, his sins. Christ calls him son, though, in this afflicted condition a person may be a child of God, and yet greatly afflicted by him; afflictions are not arguments against, but rather for…”
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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
“When Jesus saw their faith--It is remarkable that all the three narratives call it "their faith" which Jesus saw. That the patient himself had faith, we know from the proclamation of his forgiveness, which Jesus made before all; and we should have been apt to conclude that his four friends bore him to Jesus merely out of benevolent compliance with the urgent entreaties of the poor sufferer. But here we learn, not only that his bearers had the same faith with himself, but that Jesus marked it as a faith which was not to be defeated--a faith victorious over all difficulties. This was the faith for which He was ever on the watch, and which He never saw without marking, and, in those who needed…”
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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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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:5 Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and the four men who brought him. • your sins are forgiven: Those listening understood Jesus’ words as a claim to divine authority (2:6-10; Luke 7:48-49).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“saw: Gen 22:12; Joh 2:25; Act 11:23, Act 14:9; Eph 2:8; Th1 1:3, Th1 1:4; Jam 2:18-22 he said: Mar 2:9, Mar 2:10; Isa 53:11; Mat 9:2; Luk 5:20, Luk 7:47-50; Act 5:31; Co2 2:10; Col 3:13 Son: The Jews believed that not only death but all disease was the consequence of sin. "There is no death without sin, nor any chastisement without iniquity;" and that "no diseased person could be healed of his disease till his sins were blotted out." Our Lord, therefore, as usual, appeals to their received opinions, and asserts his high dignity, by first forgiving the sins, and then healing the body of the paralytic. Mar 5:34; Mat 9:22; Luk 8:48 sins: Job 33:17-26; Psa 32:1-5, Psa 90:7-9, Psa 103:3; Isa…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification