Bible Strands
Mark 2:5
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the lowered paralytic immediately after his friends breach the roof to bring him through the crowd. He speaks to the man directly while scribes nearby begin questioning His authority in their hearts.
The words — The participle ἰδὼν (idōn) means “having seen,” marking Jesus’ prior perception of the group’s trust. The noun πίστιν (pistin) translates to “faith,” referring to the collective confidence of the bearers that prompted His declaration.
The thread — The same declaration appears in Matthew 9:2, while the link between faith, sickness, and sin is echoed in James 5:15 and immediately tested in Mark 2:9.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus granting forgiveness to a paralyzed man before addressing his physical condition. It requires the reader to acknowledge that spiritual authority precedes and enables physical restoration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Cross-references
- Matthew 9:2 Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”
- James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
- Mark 2:9 “Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
- Luke 7:47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
- Luke 5:20 When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
- Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take courage, daughter,” He said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.
- Acts 5:31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
- Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Psalms 32:1 Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
- Psalms 90:7 For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath.