1
A few days later, when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the news spread that he was at home.
2
Many people gathered together so that there was no room in the house, not even outside the door. And Jesus was teaching them God's message.
3
Four people came, carrying a paralyzed man.
4
Since they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug a hole in the roof right above where he was speaking. When they got through, they lowered the mat with the paralyzed man on it.
5
When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralyzed man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven."
6
Some of the teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,
7
"Why does this man say things like that? He is speaking as if he were God. Only God can forgive sins."
8
Jesus knew immediately what these teachers of the law were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?
9
Which is easier: to tell this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to tell him, 'Stand up. Take your mat and walk'?
10
But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man,