2:3The paralyzed man’s need moved his friends to action, and they brought him to Jesus. When you recognize someone’s need, do you act? Many people have physical and spiritual needs you can meet, either by yourself or with others who are also concerned. Human need moved these four men; let it also move you to compassionate action.
Life Application Study BibleMarkChapter 2
Mark 2
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619
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2Mark 2
1When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2Soon 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, 3four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4They 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, 6My child, your sins are forgiven.” SBut some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7“ What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you ques- 2:8 tion this in your hearts? 91s it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10So 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, 11“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlook- 2:12 ers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We've never seen anything like this Mat 9:33 before!” Jesus Eats with Sinners at Matthew's House (40/Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32) 13Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. 14As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. 3:14 1-43 “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. 15Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) 16But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees* saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “ Why does he eat with such scum?*” 17When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t needa doctor—sick people 2:17 do. Ihave come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are buke 195 sinners.” Religious Leaders Ask Jesus about Fasting (41/Matthew 9:14-17; Luke 5:33-39) 18Qnce when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?” 19Jesus replied,“Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. 20But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21"Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch wouldshrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.2:10 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 2:16a Greek the scribes of the Pharisees. 2:16b Greek with taxcollectors and sinners?with sinners because he loved them and because he knew thatthey needed to hear what he had to say. Jesus spent time withwhoever needed or wanted to hear his message-——poor, rich,bad, good. We, too, must befriend those who need Christ, evenif they do not seem to be ideal companions. Are there peopleyou have been neglecting because of their reputation? They maybe the ones who most need to see and hear the message ofChrist’s love in and from you.2:18ff John the Baptist had two goals: to lead people to repentof their sin, and to prepare them for Christ's coming. John'smessage was sobering, so he and his followers fasted. Fasting isboth an outward sign of humility and regret for sin, and an innerdiscipline that clears the mind and keeps the spirit alert. Fastingempties the body of food; repentance empties the life of sin. Jesus’disciples did not need to fast to prepare for his coming becausehe was with them. Jesus did not condemn fasting, however. Hehimself fasted for 40 days (Matthew 4:2). Nevertheless, Jesusemphasized fasting with the right motives. The Pharisees fastedtwice a week to show others how holy they were. Jesus explainedthat if people fast only to impress others, they will be twisting thepurpose of fasting.2:19 Jesus compared himself to a groom. In the Bible, theimage of a bride is often used for God's people, and the imageof a groom for the God who loves them (Isaiah 62:5; Matthew25:1-13; Revelation 21:2).2:21 Jesus did not come to patch up the old religious systemof Judaism with its rules and traditions. His purpose was to fulfillit and start something new (though this “new” thing had beenprophesied for centuries). Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earthto offer all people forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.This new Good News did not fit into the old rigid legalistic system
22“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” The Disciples Pick Wheat on the Sabbath (45/Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5) 23One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. 24But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?” 25Jesus said to them, “Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 26He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.” 27Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is LORD, even over the Sabbath!” Jesus Heals and Man’s Hand on the Sabbath (46/Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11)
Life Application Notes 9 notes
2:4The crowd that had gathered made it impossible to bring the paralyzed man close to Jesus. Successful churches or busy Christians can be oblivious to needy people who want to see Jesus. In some churches, if the crowd is too thick and too disinterested, a needy person will simply wander away. How sad when the people in a church are so preoccupied with their own relationships and agendas that they don't even see those who are trying to get in. That should never happen. Where Jesus is Present, may the faces of the faithful reflect his love, may their hands extend to greet all newcomers and seekers as friends, and may they open a way for others to come in.
2:4Houses in Bible times were built of stone. They had flat roofs made of mud mixed with straw. Outside stairways led to the roofs. These friends may have carried the paralyzed man up the outside stairs to the roof. They then could easily have taken apart the mud and straw mixture to make a hole through which to lower their friend to Jesus.
2:6,7The teachers of religious law were in a perfect position, sitting where they could observe and criticize. Some sitting Christians follow their example. Is the music at church too fast or too loud? ts the sermon too tong or too short? Do people aggravate you by sitting in your pew or dressing too casually? How much time do you spend worshiping in church and how much time do you spend complaining and criticizing? How about trying a little healthy activism—the kind that gets involved to work with fellow believers toward rea! progress on common goals, such as sharing the Good News, helping the needy, and building strong and caring disciples of Christ. Are you criticizing the church or changing the world?
2:8-11Before saying to the paralyzed man, “Stand up,” Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.” To the Jewish leaders this statement was blasphemous—claiming to do something only God could do. According to the law, the punishment for this sin was death (Leviticus 24:15, 16). The religious leaders understood correctly that Jesus was claiming divine prerogatives, but their judgment was wrong. Jesus was not blaspheming; his claim was true. Jesus is God, and he proved his claim by healing the paralyzed man (2:9-12}.
2:10This is the first time in Mark that Jesus is referred to as the “Son of Man,” a title emphasizing that Jesus is fully human. The title, Son of God (see, for example, John 20:31) emphasizes that he is fully God. As God’s Son, Jesus has the authority to forgive sin. As a man, he can identify with our deepest needs and sufferings and help us overcome sin (see also the note on 8:31).
2:14Levi is another name for Matthew, the disciple who wrote the Gospel of Matthew. See Matthew's Profile in Matthew 9, p. 1557 for more information.
2:14Capernaum (2:1) was a key military center for Roman troops as well as a thriving business community. Several major highways intersected in Capernaum, with merchants passing through from as far away as Egypt to the south and Mesopotamia to the north. Levi (Matthew), a Jew, worked for the Romans as the area’s tax collector, collecting taxes from citizens as well as from merchants passing through town. Tax collectors were expected to take a commission on the taxes they collected. Most of them overcharged and vastly enriched themselves. Tax collectors were despised by the Jews because of their reputation for cheating and their support of Rome.
2:16,17The self-righteous Pharisees were indignant that Jesus would eat a meal with such sinners. But Jesus gladly associated Said Thomas believed because he actually saw Jesus after the Resurrection. Unknown Unknown Unknown Called him “a devil”; said Judas would betray Jesus.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
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ZEALOTS
Luke 6:15 Acts 1:14
PROMINENT JEWISH RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL GROUPS
Name and Selected References PHARISEES Matthew 5:20 Matthew 23:1-36 Luke 6:2 Luke 7:36-47 SADDUCEES Matthew 3:7 Matthew 16:11, 12 Mark 12:18
Agreement with Jesus Respect for the law, belief in the resurrection of the dead, committed to obeying God's will. Showed great respect for the five books of Moses, as well as the sanctity of the Temple.
Disagreement with Jesus Rejected Jesus’ claim to be Messiah because he did not fotiow all their traditions and associated with notoriously wicked people. Denied the resurrection of the dead. Thought the Temple could also be used as a place io transact business.
SS Description Strict group of religious Jews who advocated obedience to the most minute portions of the Jewish law and traditions. Very influential in the synagogues. Wealthy, upper class, Jewish priestly party. Rejected the authority of the Bible beyond the five books of Moses. Profited from business in the Temple. They, along with the Pharisees, were one of the two major parties of the Jewish high council. Professional interpreters of the law—who especially emphasized the traditions. Many teachers of religious law were Pharisees. A Jewish political party of King Herod’s supporters.
TEACHERS OF RELIGIOUS LAW Matthew 7:29 Mark 2:6 Mark 2:16 SUPPORTERS OF HEROD Matthew 22:16 Mark 3:6 Mark 12:13
Respect for the law. Committed to obeying God.
Denied Jesus’ authority to reinterpret the law. Rejected Jesus as Messiah because he did not obey all of their traditions. Afraid of Jesus causing political instability. They saw Jesus as a threat to their political future at a time when they were trying to regain from Rome some of their lost political power. Believed that the Messiah must be a political leader who would deliver Israel from Roman occupation. Believed ceremonial rituals made them righteous.
Unknown. In the Gospels they tried to trap Jesus with questions and plotted to kill him.
A fiercely dedicated group of Jewish patriots determined to end Roman rule in tsrael.
Concerned about the future of Israel. Believed in the Messiah but did not recognize Jesus as the one sent by God. Emphasized justice, honesty, commitment.
ESSENES none
Jewish monastic group practicing ritual purity and personal holiness.
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governed by love. That makes love the highest rule, but it also moves Christians toward personal sacrifice, discipline, and responsibility-—scarce resources in today’s world. When confronted with rules of your own or others’ making, ask: (1) Does the rule serve God’s purposes? (2) Does the rule reveal God's character? (3) Does the rule help people get into God’s family, or keep them out? (4) Does the rule have biblical roots that can be supported in the context of all of Scripture? Good rules pass all four tests. 2:26 The “sacred loaves of bread” (called the Bread of the Presence) were set before God ona table in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle (and later in the Temple). Every Sabbath, 12 freshlybaked loaves of bread were set out, and the priests ate the old loaves. See Exodus 25:30 and Leviticus 24:5-9 for more about the Bread of the Presence. 3:2 Already many of the religious leaders had turned against Jesus and become his “enemies.” They were jealous of his popularity, his miracles, and the authority in his teaching and actions. They valued their status in the community and their opportunity for personal gain so much that they lost sight of their goal as religious leaders—to point people toward God. Of all people, the Pharisees should have recognized the Messiah, but they refused to acknowledge him because they were not willing to give up their treasured position and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy instead of their Messiah, and they began looking for ways to turn the people against him. 3:5 Jesus was angry about the Pharisees’ uncaring attitudes. Anger itself is not wrong. It depends on what makes us angry and what we do with our anger. Too often we express our anger in selfish and harmful ways. By contrast, Jesus expressed his anger by correcting a problem—healing the man’s hand. Use your anger to find constructive solutions rather than to tear people down.
of religion. It needed a fresh start. The message will always remain “new” because it must be accepted and applied in every generation. When you follow Christ, be prepared for new ways to live, new ways to look at people, and new ways to serve. 2:22 A wineskin was a goatskin sewed together at the edges to farm a watertight bag. New wine, expanding as it aged, stretched the wineskin. New wine, therefore, could not be put into a wineskin that had already been stretched, or the taut skin would burst. The Pharisees had become rigid like old wineskins. They could not accept faith in Jesus that would not be contained or limited by man-made ideas or rules. Your heart, like a wineskin, can become rigid and prevent you from accepting the new life that Christ offers. Keep your heart pliable and open to accepting the life-changing truths of Christ. 2:23 Jesus and his disciples were not stealing when they picked the grain. Leviticus 19:9, 10 and Deuteronomy 23:25 say that farmers were to leave the edges of their fields unharvested so that some of their crops could be picked by travelers and by the poor. Just as walking on a sidewalk is not trespassing on private property, picking heads of grain at the edge of a field was not stealing. 2:24 God’s law said that crops should not be harvested on the Sabbath (Exodus 34:21). This law prevented farmers from becoming greedy and ignoring God on the Sabbath. It also protected laborers from being overworked. The Pharisees interpreted the action of Jesus and his disciples—picking the grain and eating it as they walked through the fields—as harvesting; and so they judged Jesus a lawbreaker. But Jesus and the disciples clearly were not harvesting the grain for personal gain; they were simply!ooking for something to eat. The Pharisees were so focused on the words of the rule that they missed its intent. 2:25-28 Jesus used the example of David to point out how tidiculous the Pharisees’ accusations were (this incident occurred in 1 Samuel 21:1-6). God created the Sabbath for our benefit; we are restored both physically and spiritually when we take time to rest and to focus on God. For the Pharisees, Sabbath rules had become more important than Sabbath rest. Both David and Jesus understood that the intent of God’s law is to promote love for God and others. The Christian faith involves many rules that are meant to be