And behold, men brought in a bed a man who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in and to lay him before him.
και ιδου ανδρες φεροντες επι κλινης ανθρωπον ος ην παραλελυμενος και εζητουν αυτον εισενεγκειν και θειναι ενωπιον αυτου
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 8 commentaries
The Lord felt it was essential to demonstrate a new miracle in the presence of those who opposed Him. Thus, He restored the health of a man suffering from a terminal illness, using this healing not only to bring physical restoration but also to address the unhealed ignorance of the Pharisees.
While a significant assembly of scribes and Pharisees had gathered, some individuals brought a man who was paralyzed on a stretcher. Unable to enter through the door, they decided to take an unusual and innovative approach. They lifted the tiles from the roof and removed the support beams beneath. During this event, Jesus remained patient, and those who were present held their silence, eager to witness His response and actions. Once they had created an opening in the roof, they lowered the stretcher, placing the man who was at ease right in front of Jesus. It’s also possible that the spot where they lowered the stretcher was exposed to the sky, eliminating the need to dismantle the roof entirely.
The healing of the paralytic coincides with the restoration of other sick individuals, while teachers of the law arrive from various regions including Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. As previously mentioned, it is essential for every afflicted person to seek the prayers of intercessors for their wellness. Through such intercession, the paralysis that burdens our lives can be lifted, and the healing power of the divine Word can restore our unsteady steps. Therefore, it is vital for the soul to have guides who can inspire the human spirit, which may be bent low due to the frailty of the physical body, to aspire to greater matters. With their support, individuals can lower themselves in humility before the Lord, making them worthy of His attention, as the Lord regards the humble, just as He acknowledged the humility of His servant (Luke 1:48).
And sinners, understand this: you who are quick to judge, cultivate the grace to forgive; you who are unwell, learn the humility to seek healing. If you struggle to accept the absolution of serious transgressions, turn your attention to other sinners and to the Church that intercedes on your behalf; through this lens, the Lord may grant you forgiveness that He could have withheld. While we must maintain our faith in historical accounts, affirming that the body of this paralytic was indeed restored, let us also recognize the wholeness of the inner spirit that has received absolution from sin.
This is clearly articulated in the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.
The typical arrangement of Jewish houses included a central courtyard surrounded by living quarters. This courtyard was usually exposed to the elements but could be sheltered by boards, leather, or fabric in adverse weather conditions. The roofs of these dwellings were flat, with access provided by stairs leading up from the courtyard or street; often, one roof would connect to another, separated only by a permitted railing (Deuteronomy 22:8). The roofs themselves were constructed with layers: a thick layer of reeds laid over wooden planks, followed by brushwood, and then a heavy layer of earth, which sometimes had tiles placed on top. Given this design of eastern homes, the narratives of the Evangelists portray events occurring with ease, whether Christ was in the courtyard or inside.
According to Mark's account (v. 4), the men who brought the paralytic made significant effort to break through the roof (εξορυξαντες). This suggests they were likely addressing the roof of the house, removing the mortar that held the tiles before digging through the earth and taking apart the ceiling. The bed on which the sick man was carried seems to have been light, similar to a mat, allowing the healed individual to carry it himself, practical for use during any brief pauses or in situations like this. Observing the faith of those who brought the paralytic, Jesus addressed him, saying, "Child, your sins are forgiven you." The Pharisees present interpreted this declaration as blasphemy since they believed only God has the authority to forgive sins. In response, Christ made the point that healing a sick person is no less challenging than forgiving sins; thus, if they acknowledged His ability to perform the former—which they were compelled to accept—they must also concede His authority to forgive. However, to dispel any doubts the Pharisees might internally harbor regarding the validity of His words, "Thy sins are forgiven thee," He instructed the healed man, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house." The immediate outcome of the Lord's command led the Pharisees to deduce that His proclamation of forgiveness must likewise have been effective. (The phrase "Son of man on earth" is juxtaposed with the concept of God, who resides in heaven as seen in the views of the Pharisees.)
From the remnants of Capernaum, the dwelling where Christ resided was an unassuming, single-story home with a flat roof, typically accessed by a ladder from the courtyard. Christ could position Himself at the entrance, allowing Him to instruct not only those fortunate enough to enter but also those who gathered outside. The privilege of being close to the divine Teacher was undoubtedly more attainable for the healthy than for the infirm, who were in greater need of the Healer of both soul and body, burdened as they were by the dual weight of sin and illness.
When porters brought a frail man, who had lost all faith in earthly physicians to the door, his only source of hope lay in the hands of the divine Healer. However, there was no means to reach Him. Suddenly, a bold idea struck him, and he instructed his carriers to elevate him to the roof of the house. Eastern homes differ markedly from those in the West in numerous ways, but perhaps their most notable characteristic is their lightweight roofs. Beams are arranged at intervals of about an arshin and a half, upon which brushwood or reeds are scattered, followed by a layer of clay or lime, which is then trodden down or rolled to create a stable surface. As a result of this construction method, it is not uncommon for grassy patches to appear on such roofs after rain, and under the intense sun, they may crack open, forming visible holes inside.
These roofs can be easily removed, a common practice; one simply needs to lift off the dried clay and remove the brush to create an opening. There are differing opinions regarding the specific structure where the healing occurred. Thomson posits that it was a single-story dwelling similar to those of modern-day Arabs, accompanied by a courtyard enclosed by stone walls. However, others, including Delitzsch, Lightfoot, and Ewald, suggest that the building might have been two stories high. Yet, the exact nature of the building is secondary to the critical act of the sick man’s entrance through the roof.
Once on the roof, he directed the porters to create an opening and lower him, along with his bed, down to the divine Physician amidst audible groans. This act of boldness showcased a remarkable faith. The afflicted man was still in his youth, and his plight touched the hearts of all who witnessed it.
After proclaiming the Good News throughout the towns and villages of Galilee, Jesus Christ made His way back to Capernaum. With humility and simplicity, He entered the city (Matthew 9:1), yet soon news of His presence spread widely, and it was announced that He was in a home. Almost immediately, the house became crowded with a large gathering, leaving no space even at the entrance. Pharisees and scribes had arrived from various regions, including Galilee, Judea, and even Jerusalem, undoubtedly to observe the Lord. He shared a message with them, which He substantiated with a remarkable exhibition of His divine authority. Four men brought a paralyzed individual on a mat, striving unsuccessfully to reach Jesus due to the overwhelming crowd.
In the Eastern tradition, where roofs are typically flat and composed of stone slabs, with access points from both inside and outside, these determined individuals resolved to enter through the roof. They ascended, removed some of the roofing, and created an opening to lower the mat and the paralyzed man directly to Jesus. When the Lord perceived their faith, He addressed the paralytic, saying, “Go ahead, child, your sins are forgiven.” The underlying issue of the man’s paralysis was sin, prompting Christ to first grant forgiveness before restoring his health. As St. John Chrysostom noted, “Doctors typically do not treat ailments directly, but rather eliminate their origins.” Likewise, Christ addressed the root of evil—sin. Through His words, He revived the paralytic's mind, uplifted his downtrodden spirit; these declarations became transformative actions, penetrating the conscience and reaching the very soul, dispelling all despair.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 19 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS