Matthew 9:2

“And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, etc.] That is, some of the inhabitants of Capernaum, four men of that city particularly; for Mark says, (<410203>Mark 2:3) he “was borne of four”: these brought him to Jesus, lying on a bed, or couch, he being so enfeebled by the disease upon him, his nerves so weak, and the members of his body in such a tremor, that he was not able to walk himself, nor even to be carried by others in any other way than this. And Jesus seeing their faith; the faith of the bearers of him, his friends, who brought out a man to be healed, who was otherwise incurable; and though they could not, for the multitude, bring him directly to Christ, they were not…”

“A man sick of the palsy - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. Lying on a bed - This was probably a mattress, or perhaps a mere blanket spread to lie on, so as to be easily borne. Being light, Jesus might with propriety command him to take it up and walk, Matthew 9:6. Mark says “they uncovered the roof,” Mark 2:4. Luke says “they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling,” Luke 5:19. To us it would appear that much injury must have been done to the house where Jesus was, and that they must be much incommoded by the removal of tiles and rafters, etc. An acquaintance, however, with the mode of building in the East removes every difficulty of this nature. Houses in Eastern countries…”

“Seeing their faith - Both that of the paralytic, and of them that brought him. Son - A title of tenderness and condescension. Mar 2:3; Luk 5:18. Matthew 9:3”

“they brought: Mat 4:24, Mat 8:16; Mar 1:32, Mar 2:1-3; Luk 5:18, Luk 5:19; Act 5:15, Act 5:16, Act 19:12 seeing: Mat 8:10; Mar 2:4, Mar 2:5; Luk 5:19, Luk 5:20; Joh 2:25; Act 14:9; Jam 2:18 Son: Mat 9:22; Mar 5:34; Joh 21:5 be: Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2; Ecc 9:7; Isa 40:1, Isa 40:2, Isa 44:22; Jer 31:33, Jer 31:34; Luk 5:20, Luk 7:47-50; Act 13:38, Act 13:39; Rom 4:6-8, Rom 5:11; Col 1:12-14 thy sins: Rather, "thy sins are forgiven thee;" the words being an affirmation, not a prayer or wish. The word be, however, was used by our translators in the indicative plural for are. As the palsy is frequently produced by intemperance, it is probable, from our Lord's gracious declaration, that it was the…”