ScriptureDepth's study of Mark 2
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—”
Mark 2:10
Jesus speaks to the paralytic, declaring his authority to forgive sins, which confirms his divine role and stirs the controversy with the scribes.
What Mark 2 is about
In Capernaum, many gather to hear Jesus speak. Four men lower a paralytic through the roof to reach him. Jesus sees their faith and says to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you’ (vv. 5-6). The scribes question his authority, but Jesus asserts that he has authority on earth to forgive sins, then commands the paralytic to ‘arise, take up your mat, and go to your house’ (vv. 10-11). Levi, the tax collector, is called by Jesus to follow him, and he hosts Jesus and many sinners at his table (vv. 13-15). The Pharisees question why Jesus eats with sinners. Jesus responds that he came to call sinners to repentance (v. 17). The discussion shifts to fasting, where Jesus explains that his presence is a time for joy, not fasting (vv. 18-20). Finally, he teaches about the Sabbath, affirming that it was made for man and that he is lord of the Sabbath (vv. 27-28).
Jesus has authority to forgive sins, calls sinners to repentance, and redefines Sabbath observance.
Mark 2 at a glance
- Mark 2:1–12Healing of the Paralytic
- Mark 2:13–17Call of Levi and Table Fellowship
- Mark 2:18–22Teaching on Fasting and Newness
- Mark 2:23–28Sabbath Teachings
Key verse: Mark 2:10
One thing to notice
In this chapter, the phrase 'your sins are forgiven you' (v. 5) appears as a declaration from Jesus to the paralytic, who is healed later in the same scene. This contrasts with the direct request for healing seen in the actions of the four men who bring him (vv. 3-4).
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Mark 2 (WEB)
Healing of the Paralytic Mark 2:1–12
1Verse 1. When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. 2Verse 2. Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. 3Verse 3. Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. 4Verse 4. When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. 5Verse 5. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6Verse 6. But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7Verse 7. “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Verse 8. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 9Verse 9. Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ 10Verse 10. But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11Verse 11. “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” 12Verse 12. He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Call of Levi and Table Fellowship Mark 2:13–17
13Verse 13. He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them. 14Verse 14. As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him. 15Verse 15. He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. 16Verse 16. The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
17Verse 17. When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Teaching on Fasting and Newness Mark 2:18–22
18Verse 18. John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?” 19Verse 19. Jesus said to them, “Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast. 20Verse 20. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day. 21Verse 21. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.
22Verse 22. No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”
Sabbath Teachings Mark 2:23–28
23Verse 23. He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields, and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain. 24Verse 24. The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?” 25Verse 25. He said to them, “Did you never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? 26Verse 26. How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”
27Verse 27. He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28Verse 28. Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Mark 2
Authority of Jesus
In Mark 2, Jesus' authority is evident when he forgives the sins of the paralytic in v. 5, which provokes the scribes' questioning. Jesus responds to their unspoken thoughts in v. 8 and asserts his authority by healing the paralytic, telling him in v. 11, 'I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.' This act of healing serves to affirm his divine authority on earth, moving the narrative from mere words of forgiveness to tangible proof of his power.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness appears prominently in v. 5 when Jesus addresses the paralytic with, 'Son, your sins are forgiven you.' This declaration raises controversy among the scribes, who believe that only God can forgive sins, as seen in v. 7. Jesus uses this moment to affirm his authority to forgive, thereby shifting the understanding of forgiveness from a solely divine act to one that he can perform as the 'Son of Man'.
Explore forgiveness in the Bible →Grace and Inclusivity
In Mark 2, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow him in verse 14. He later shares a meal with Levi and other 'sinners' in verse 15. This act draws criticism from the Pharisees, who question why Jesus associates with such individuals in verse 16. Jesus responds in verse 17, stating that he has come to call not the righteous, but sinners, thus broadening the understanding of who is embraced by God's grace.
Sabbath and Rest
In Mark 2, Jesus challenges traditional Sabbath observance by referencing David's actions in v. 25 when he ate the showbread. He asserts that 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath' in v. 27, reframing the purpose of the Sabbath. By declaring himself 'lord even of the Sabbath' in v. 28, Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath should serve humanity's needs, thus redefining rest in light of his authority.
Chapter outline
How Mark 2 unfolds
Mark 2:1–12 Healing of the Paralytic
Four men bring a paralytic to Jesus, who, seeing their faith, declares, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you’ (v. 5). This prompts the scribes to question Jesus' authority, leading him to prove his power to forgive by healing the man (vv. 9-12).
Mark 2:13–17 Call of Levi and Table Fellowship
Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow him, and shares a meal with many tax collectors and sinners (vv. 14-15). The scribes and Pharisees question this association, to which Jesus responds that he came to call sinners, not the righteous (v. 17).
Mark 2:18–22 Teaching on Fasting and Newness
When questioned about fasting, Jesus compares his presence to a bridegroom, saying that fasting is not appropriate while he is with them (vv. 19-20). He further illustrates the need for new practices with the metaphors of unshrunk cloth and new wine (vv. 21-22).
Mark 2:23–28 Sabbath Teachings
As Jesus and his disciples walk through grain fields on the Sabbath, the Pharisees question their actions. Jesus cites David's actions, stating, 'The Sabbath was made for man', and claims, 'the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath'.
Key verses
Mark 2:10Jesus speaks to the paralytic, declaring his authority to forgive sins, which confirms his divine role and stirs the controversy with the scribes.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Mark 2
- observeIn v12, what do the people say after witnessing the healing of the paralytic?
- observeWhat does Jesus say to Levi in v14 when he sees him at the tax office?
- interpretIn vv. 21-22, what do the parables about new cloth and new wine suggest about Jesus' teaching?
- interpretIn v27, what is the implication of Jesus saying, 'The Sabbath was made for man'?
- applyWhen have you felt the need for grace, like the 'sinners' Jesus dined with in v15?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Mark 2
- Matthew 9Mark 2:17 and Matthew 9:13Both call sinners to repentance: Mark 2:17 Jesus came not to call the righteous, while Matthew 9:13 says the same.
- Luke 5Mark 2:17 and Luke 5:31Both call sinners to repentance: Mark 2:17 Jesus came not to call the righteous, while Luke 5:31 says the same.
- Isaiah 43Mark 2:7 and Isaiah 43:25Both speak of forgiveness: Mark 2:7 Who can forgive sins but God alone, while Isaiah 43:25 I blot out your transgressions.
- Matthew 12Mark 2:23 and Matthew 12:1Both pluck grain on Sabbath: Mark 2:23 his disciples began to pluck, while Matthew 12:1 began to pluck heads of grain.
- Luke 6Mark 2:27 and Luke 6:9Both speak of doing good on Sabbath: Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man, while Luke 6:9 Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good.
- 1 Timothy 1Mark 2:17 and 1 Timothy 1:15Both call sinners: Mark 2:17 Jesus came not to call the righteous, while 1 Timothy 1:15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
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Where to go from here
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