Jesus heals a paralytic

Luke 5:17-25, SV

And it so happened one day, as he was teaching, that the Lord's healing power was with him. Now Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem, were sitting around.

The next thing you know, some men appeared, carrying a paralyzed person on a bed. They attempted to bring him in and lay him before [Jesus].

But finding no way to get him in on account of the crowd, they went up onto the roof and lowered him on his pallet through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.

When Jesus noticed their trust, he said, "Mister, your sins have been forgiven you."

And the scholars and the Pharisees began to raise questions: "Who is this that utters blasphemies? Who can forgive sins except God alone?"

Because Jesus was aware of their questions, he responded to them, "Why do you entertain such questions? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?" But so that you may realize that on earth the son of Adam has authority to forgive sins, he said to the paralyzed man, "You there, get up, pick up your pallet and go home!"

And immediately he stood up in front of them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home praising God.

They all became ecstatic, and they began to extol God, but they were also filled with fear and exclaimed, "We saw some incredible things today!"

Luke 5:17-25, NRSV

One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed though the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.

When he saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you."

Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the one who was paralyzed -- "I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to you home."

Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God.

Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."

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Return to Jesus as Social Prophet

Introduction

A Portrait of Jesus Introduction

Research and Scholarship Perspective

About Marcus Borg

Lenses through which Borg sees Jesus

The Nature of the Gospels

The Pre- and Post-Easter Jesus

Compare Pre- and Post-Easter Jesus

Summaries of the Pre-Easter Jesus

Spirit Dimension

Context: Spirit Persons in Many Cultures

Jesus as Spirit Person

Jesus as Healer

Wisdom Dimension

Context: Wisdom Teachers in Many Cultures

Jesus as Wisdom Teacher

Political Dimension

Context: Social and Cultural World of Jesus

Jesus as Social Prophet

Jesus as Movement Founder

The Post-Easter Jesus

The Post-Easter Jesus

What Difference Does it Make?

Implications for Christian Life