Only God Can Forgive Sins

By Spiros Zodhiates

Matt. 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:18–26)

(Dr. Zodhiates continues his exegesis of the Gospel of Matthew.)

[9:1] Jesus’ “own (from ídios [2398]) city,” His “home” according to Mark 2:1 nasb, refers to Capernaum. Here friends brought to Jesus a paralyzed man, who was carrying a burden of sin on top of his wretched physical condition.

Mark comments that so many people were gathered together at the house that “there was no longer room, not even near the door” (Mark 2:2 nasb). Unable to approach Jesus, the man’s friends literally “removed (from apostegázo\ [648], to unroof) the roof” and lowered him on a pallet in front of Jesus (Mark 2:2–4).