In brief
The paralytic of Capernaum is a man whose name the Gospels do not give. At the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, four men carry him on his mat to the house where Jesus is teaching. Unable to get through because of the crowd, they open the roof and lower him in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgives his sins, then heals him to show his authority. Matthew, Mark and Luke all report this story.
What does the name The Paralytic of Capernaum mean?
The Gospels do not give this man's name. They simply call him the paralytic, that is, a man deprived of the use of his limbs, lying on a mat. Mark places the scene at Capernaum (Mark 2:1), which Matthew calls Jesus' own city (Matthew 9:1).
The story of The Paralytic of Capernaum
A full house at Capernaum
Mark 2:1-2; Luke 5:17A few days later, Jesus returns to Capernaum. Word gets out that he is at home, and the crowd is so large that there is no more room, not even around the door. Luke adds that Pharisees and teachers of the law, who have come from Galilee, Judea and Jerusalem, are sitting there while Jesus teaches.
Four friends and an open roof
Mark 2:3-4; Luke 5:18-19Some people bring a paralytic, carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they climb onto the roof, open it up and let down the mat he is lying on, right in front of Jesus. Their act is bold: nothing stops them from bringing their friend to the Lord.
Your sins are forgiven
Mark 2:5; Matthew 9:2Jesus, seeing their faith, does not begin with healing. He says to the paralytic: “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Matthew reports that he also tells him to take courage. Jesus first answers the deepest need of this man, his relationship with God, before dealing with his body.
Who can forgive sins?
Mark 2:6-10Some scribes think to themselves that Jesus is blaspheming: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knows their thoughts. He asks them which is easier, to say the sins are forgiven or to tell the sick man to rise and walk, and announces that he will show that the Son of Man has this authority on earth.
Arise, take up your mat
Mark 2:11-12; Luke 5:25-26Jesus then turns to the sick man: “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” At once the man gets up, takes his mat and goes out in front of everyone. All are amazed and glorify God. Luke adds that the man goes home glorifying God himself.
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What The Paralytic of Capernaum teaches us
- Bringing someone to Jesus sometimes takes boldness, perseverance and the support of several people.
- Jesus sees the faith of those who intercede and act on behalf of another.
- The forgiveness of sins is man's deepest need, even before the healing of the body.
- The healing of the paralytic shows that Jesus has divine authority to forgive sins.
Key verses
Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Jesus notices the faith of the friends who opened the roof, and he answers first with forgiveness.
Jesus heals the paralytic so that people may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. The visible miracle confirms the invisible forgiveness.
The man gets up in front of everyone, takes his mat and goes home glorifying God. The crowd, filled with fear, glorifies God in turn and says they have seen strange things.
Sermons about The Paralytic of Capernaum
- Mark 2: “Son, Your Sins Are Forgiven You”The pastor stresses that the paralytic's friends were convinced he would be healed if he could only get near Jesus, and that this simple trust became visible when they broke through the roof.
- The Faith Jesus Sees: The Friends Who Broke Through the RoofThe preacher dwells on five perspectives around the scene, including those of the bearers and the paralyzed man, and describes going through the roof as an unwise idea, yet one completely carried by faith.
- Crossing the Line Like JesusThe message shows the paralyzed man's friends pushing through the crowd, opening a stranger's roof and exposing themselves to the eyes of others, because they believed Jesus was worth the disruption.
- A Heart Renewed Every Day by ForgivenessThe sermon recalls that in Mark 2, Jesus tells the paralytic his sins are forgiven before healing him, and draws a lesson from it: we are most like God when we forgive.
Frequently asked questions
What was the name of the paralytic of Capernaum?
The Gospels do not give his name. Matthew, Mark and Luke simply call him the paralytic. He should not be confused with the man who had been sick for thirty-eight years, healed by Jesus near the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, of whom John speaks in chapter 5 of his Gospel.
Why did Jesus forgive his sins first?
Jesus begins with man's deepest need: to be reconciled with God. The scribes accuse him of blasphemy, since God alone can forgive. Jesus then heals the paralytic so that all may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:10).
Where is the story of the paralytic lowered through the roof?
The story appears in three Gospels: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26. Mark is the most detailed and specifies that four men carried him and that they removed the roof. Luke also mentions the opening in the roof, while Matthew tells the scene more briefly.