The Paralysed Man (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
1 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people[a (opens in a new tab)] came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.’ 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he said to the paralytic — 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:1–12)
The healing of the paralysed man
Jesus was teaching in a crowded house
Some men carried a paralysed man to him
Because the room was so crowded, they could not find a way in
However, they had so much faith in Jesus’s ability to help the man that they dismantled the roof to lower the man inside
In the account, it is not clear whether the paralysed man himself had any faith in Jesus
Jesus was impressed by their strong faith
However, his first act was not to heal the man — he first forgave the man’s sins
The crowd was shocked at this: Many thought that Jesus was committing blasphemy by forgiving the man’s sins
Only God could forgive sins
Jesus was therefore claiming God’s authority
“Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)
Jesus asked whether it was easier to say a person’s sins were forgiven or to say “walk” to a paralysed man
Jesus then healed the man, who was able to walk out of the room
By demonstrating his power through healing (the visible miracle), Jesus showed that he must also be powerful enough to forgive sins (the invisible miracle)
To Jesus, the action of forgiving sins was more important
However, the crowd was amazed by the healing and said, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:12)
Jesus’s authority
Jesus acted with authority in this event:
Over the illness of the man by healing him
Over sin by forgiving the man’s sins
Both of these are evidence that Jesus’s power and authority come from God and that people should, therefore, have faith in him
At this time, many Jews saw illness and suffering as a punishment for sin — so they believed the man’s paralysis might have been caused by his sins
Jesus forgiving the man’s sins would enable him to be cured of his illness
Differing interpretations of the story
This story has been interpreted in different ways:
Some believe that it is a historical event that actually happened
Some interpret it as a metaphor for the fact that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and free people spiritually
Others believe that if a person’s faith is strong enough, they can be healed of illness, even today (e.g. faith healers)
The title “Son of Man”
Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” about himself in this passage
This could mean simply that he was a man, like other men (showing that he was fully human)
It could also indicate that he was fulfilling the Old Testament understanding of the “Son of Man” as someone coming with great power at the time of the final judgment (Daniel 7:13)
Worked Example
Which one of the following titles does Jesus use for himself in the healing of the paralysed man?
A. Son of Man
B. Son of God
C. Christ (Messiah)
D. Son of David
Answer:
A. Son of Man
In Mark 2:10, Jesus says, “ ... so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins … ”
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The titles of Jesus covered in the section “St Mark’s Gospel & the Titles of Jesus” are important throughout your studies about Jesus’s life and ministry. Return to this revision page as you need to throughout your revision to check that you understand the meaning and significance of each title.
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