When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

MARK 2:5KJV
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Mark 2:5 (KJV)

What does Mark 2:5 mean?

Mark 2:5 describes Jesus seeing the faith of the people who brought a paralyzed man to him, and then telling the paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven. The verse highlights Jesus’ response to visible faith, connecting it directly to forgiveness rather than physical healing at this moment.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man who cannot walk, while surrounded by a crowd in a house. The man’s friends have lowered him through the roof because they could not get through the door. Instead of first healing the man’s body, Jesus addresses his spiritual need, showing that he sees and responds to faith in action.

The Greek behind Mark 2:5

  • πίστις (pistis, "faith"): This word means trust or confidence. In this verse, it refers to the determined trust shown by the group bringing the paralyzed man, not just the man himself. Jesus’ response is based on their collective faith.
  • ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, "forgiven"): This Greek word carries the sense of sending away or releasing. When Jesus says the man’s sins are forgiven, he is declaring a release from guilt or debt, not just ignoring the wrongs.
  • υἱός (huios, "Son"): Jesus addresses the man tenderly as “Son,” which is both personal and respectful, showing care and acceptance before the crowd.

Why Mark 2:5 matters

  • Mark 2:5 clarifies that Jesus responds to faith that is active and persistent, not just belief in the mind but actions that show trust.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus has authority to forgive sins, which becomes a key issue in the following verses as religious leaders question him.
  • This moment shifts the focus from physical healing to the deeper issue of spiritual need, showing that forgiveness is central in Jesus’ ministry.

Where else these words appear

“palsy” Greek G3885 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
  • Mark 2:4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

“Son” Greek G5043 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

“forgiven” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.