1
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home.
2
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,
3
four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.
4
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.
5
Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
6
But 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!”
8
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?
9
Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?