Devine Scripture

Mark 2:5

What does Mark 2:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 2:5 means

When Jesus observed the collective faith of the men who brought the paralytic, He spoke to the sick man, declaring, "Son, thy sins are forgiven." This immediate pronouncement of forgiveness reveals Jesus' divine authority, as He addresses the man's deepest spiritual need before his physical ailment. It also highlights Jesus' perception of their genuine trust in Him, prioritizing the eternal over the temporal in His initial response.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to him, Son, you have forgiveness for your sins.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus having seen their faith, saith to the paralytic, `Child, thy sins have been forgiven thee.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when Jesus had seen their faith, he saith to the sick of the palsy: Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus, seeing their faith, says to the paralytic, Child, thy sins are forgiven [thee].

Context

This verse is the pivot point of the healing narrative. Following the dramatic action of lowering the paralytic through the roof, Jesus' first words address the man's spiritual condition rather than his physical one. This immediately sets up a theological controversy with the scribes, as His claim to forgive sins is recognized as a divine prerogative, leading directly into their unspoken challenge and Jesus' subsequent defense of His authority.

v.4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay.

v.5This passage

v.6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 32:1

    Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

  • Acts 11:23

    who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:

  • Luke 5:20

    And seeing their faith, he said, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:10

    But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;

  • Ephesians 2:8

    for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

  • Matthew 9:2

    And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.

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