About the Text
(1) Where is this "home town" that Jesus came to? According to
Mark 2:1, Jesus came to Capernaum, where his disciple Peter had a house. Jesus was not
born there (He was born in Bethlehem), nor was He raised there as a child (He was raised
in Nazareth). But Jesus spent so much time there during the days of His ministry, that
people commonly called Capernaum His "home town." Capernaum is a small city by
the Sea of Galilee.
(2) Who was this "paralytic," and why was he brought to Jesus?
Mark gives greater detail to this story, saying that the paralytic had to be carried by
four men, while lying on a mat. He was probably quadraplegic.
Mark also records (Mark 2:1-5) that these men, and the invalid, believed
so strongly that Jesus could cure, that they dug a hole through the roof of a house,
lowered the invalid through the hole, in order to bypass the crowds, and get to Jesus.
Jesus was amazed at such persistence.
(2) Why did Jesus forgive the invalid's sins, instead of healing him first?
Because He knew the man was worried ahout his sins more than his physical condition.
According to custom, Jews believed that sickness was a result of sin. See John 9:2. This
is why the invalid would find such great relief from Jesus words, "Take heart, son;
your sins are forgiven.
(3) Why did the teachers of the law accuse Jesus of blasphemy? Since they
rightly understood that Jesus was claiming Himself as God, and since only God has the
authority to forgive sins. But because they would not believe what Jesus claimed ahout
Himself, they accused Him of blasphemy.
(9) Is the Matthew mentioned here the same Matthew who wrote this gospel?
Most likely, yes. If he weren't, the writer Matthew would have clearly distinguished
himself from the Matthew in this story.
In Mark's account (2:13-17), Matthew is called "Levi." This
was probably Matthew's former name, before he starting following Jesus.
(10) Why were tax collectors grouped with "sinners"? Because
tax collectors were known for their greed. Jews hated them. Tax collectors were often
"traitor" Jews who worked for the Romans by demanding taxes from their own
brothers. The Romans also allowed the collectors to also impose an additional tax, which
they could keep for themselves. This arrangement created great hardship for Jews, but
great wealth for the tax collectors.
Key Memory Verse
But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have
not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13)
Insights
The Bottom Line
Believe in the forgiveness Jesus gives. Jesus akeady earned this forgiveness by dying on the cross, and taking upon Himself the punishment we deserved for our sins. Jesus has proven in this story, that He has the divine authority to not only remove the effects of sin (e.g. sickness), but also the sin itself.
Have you accepted Jesus' forgiveness in your life? Or are you still
tormented by guilt? If you are already assured of your own forgiveness, do you know of
anyone whom you could help relieve of guilt, by telling them of Jesus' forgiveness?