The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 2
You can listen to Mark 2 with us below. You can also read the passage in the New Living Translation here.
“When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!””
Thank you for joining us in listening to Mark 2! You can also find a written copy of Mark 2 in the NLT here.
Below are some questions that made us think. Feel free to journal your answers to one or all of them!
Discussion Questions
In Mark 2, Jesus shows He has the authority to forgive sins and that He has come to do just that!
1. Jesus heals a paralyzed man at the beginning of this chapter— but that is not the first, or most important, action He takes on behalf of the man. In response to faith, Jesus says to the man, "My child, your sins are forgiven" (verse 5).
-What do you think about how Jesus prioritized the man's spiritual well-being over his physical well-being?
-Why is it sometimes difficult to value someone's spiritual well-being over their physical well-being?
-How are you doing spiritually? In what ways would you like to become more spiritually healthy?
2. Only God can forgive sins. The religious leaders who heard Jesus forgive the paralyzed man did not believe Jesus was God, despite Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. They thought His claim to be able to forgive the man's sins was horribly sinful. Jesus knew their thoughts and asked, "Why do you question this in your hearts?" (verse 8).
-Do you ever have a hard time believing that Jesus can forgive your sins? Why or why not?
-Why do you believe or not believe that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins?
3. Jesus physically healed the paralyzed man so that people would see He had the authority to forgive the man's sins.
-How has Jesus shown His power in your life?
4. While Jesus was walking and teaching, He saw Levi (also called Matthew...the writer of this gospel!) and said to him, "Follow me and be my disciple" (verse 14). Levi did. Levi was a tax collector. Tax collectors were considered "really bad sinners" and enemies of their fellow Jews during this time.
Levi invited Jesus and His disciples over for dinner. A lot of other "really bad sinners" came as well. The Pharisees asked, "Why does he eat with scum" (verse 16).
Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor— sick people do. I have not come to call those who are righteous, but those who know they are sinners" (verse 17).
- Think of people you work with or people in your community at home who are thought of as "really bad sinners." What is your attitude toward them? How might Jesus be asking you to show them His love?
Jesus wants to give life to everyone!
5. Mark 2 covers a lot of ground! We've talked about forgiveness, the power of Jesus, and reaching out to others with Jesus' love.
-What is one thing God is asking you to do or remember today in response to His love and His Word?
