Question 1

What is the main message of Jesus healing the paralysed man in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The healing of the paralysed man shows that Jesus’ first concern is the man’s spiritual state, not just his body. Before saying anything about walking, Jesus says, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” When the scribes silently accuse him of blasphemy, he shows that he knows their thoughts and then heals the man’s body so that everyone may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins. The visible miracle backs up the unseen forgiveness, and the crowd responds by glorifying God.

Question 2

Why did Jesus say, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee,” before healing the man?

Accepted Answer

Jesus’ words show that sin and our relationship with God matter more than physical problems. The man’s paralysis is serious, but Jesus goes straight to the deeper need by speaking forgiveness first. This teaches that human suffering is tied to a fallen world marked by sin, and that real restoration starts with being made right with God. By later healing the man’s body, Jesus shows he has authority over both sin and sickness, but he puts forgiveness at the centre of his work.

Question 3

What does this passage teach about bringing others to Jesus in faith?

Accepted Answer

The four friends of the paralysed man could not reach Jesus because of the crowd, so they went up, opened the roof, and lowered him down. Jesus “saw their faith,” meaning their trust showed itself in bold action. This shows that faith is not just words or feelings, but a persevering desire to get to Jesus, even through obstacles. It also points to how God often uses others to bring a person to Christ. Their effort does not replace the man’s own need, but it is the means God uses to bless him.

Question 4

Who is Levi the son of Alpheus, and why is his call important?

Accepted Answer

Levi is a tax collector sitting at the tax booth when Jesus passes by and says, “Follow me.” Tax collectors were widely disliked and seen as sinners. Levi immediately gets up and follows, leaving his old life. Later, Jesus is eating in his house with many tax collectors and sinners. Levi’s call shows that Jesus’ invitation reaches those others look down on. It also shows that following Jesus may mean a clear break with a former way of life, and that his grace gathers many people others might refuse.

Question 5

Why did Jesus eat with publicans and sinners, and what did he mean about the physician?

Accepted Answer

When religious leaders complain that Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, he answers that those who are well do not need a doctor, but those who are sick. He says he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He is not saying some people are truly without sin, but that only those who see their need will come to him. Sharing a meal with sinners shows that he does not keep his distance from those who are spiritually unwell. Instead, he moves toward them to call them to turn back to God.

Question 6

What does Jesus mean by the bridegroom, new cloth, and new wine in this passage?

Accepted Answer

When asked why his disciples do not fast like others, Jesus compares himself to a bridegroom. While the bridegroom is present, the wedding guests do not fast. His presence is a time of joy, not mourning. He then speaks of not sewing new cloth on an old garment and not putting new wine into old skins. These pictures show that his coming is not just another rule added to old ways. His kingdom brings something fresh, and trying to force it into old, rigid patterns only tears and bursts what is there.

Question 7

Why were the Pharisees upset about the disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath?

Accepted Answer

The Pharisees were not angry about the grain belonging to someone else, but about what they saw as working on the Sabbath. They had built up many detailed rules and treated even picking heads of grain to satisfy hunger as breaking the day. Jesus reminds them of David eating the holy bread when in need, and then teaches that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. In other words, God gave the Sabbath to bless people, not to crush them with harsh, life-denying rules.

Question 8

What does “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” mean?

Accepted Answer

Jesus is saying that God gave the Sabbath as a gift, for rest, worship, and help, not as a burden that harms people. The Pharisees had turned it into a system where human need was ignored. By pointing to hungry disciples doing a simple act to sustain themselves, Jesus shows that mercy and human good are part of true Sabbath keeping. He is not throwing the Sabbath away in this scene, but explaining its right use. It should serve people’s well-being as they turn to God, not work against it.

Question 9

What does this passage show about Jesus’ authority as the Son of man?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, Jesus calls himself the Son of man and links that title with clear authority. He proves he has power on earth to forgive sins by healing the paralysed man in front of everyone. Later he says that the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath, claiming the right to interpret and rule over that holy day. These claims, joined with his power to read hearts and perform miracles, show that he is not just a teacher. He shares in God’s authority over sin, rest, and human need.

Question 10

How can a believer today apply the teaching of this passage?

Accepted Answer

This passage invites a person to come to Jesus with the deepest need first, asking for forgiveness of sins and trusting his authority to restore. It also encourages you to bring others to him in prayer and action, as the four friends did. Jesus’ welcome of tax collectors and sinners challenges you not to write people off, but to see them as those he came to call to repentance. His words about the Sabbath urge you to see God’s commands as meant for your good, leading you to rest and mercy, not harshness.

Mark 2:1

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Jesus Calls Levi

Questions about Fasting

The Patches and the Wineskins

The Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

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Mark 2:1

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

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Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Jesus Calls Levi

Questions about Fasting

The Patches and the Wineskins

The Lord of the Sabbath

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

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