Mar 2:1-12 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 2:1-3:6: 2:1–3:6 Five controversy stories (2:1-12 , 13-17 , 18-22 , 23-28 ; 3:1-6 ), grouped by their common theme, reveal Jesus’ great authority and the leaders’ hostility toward him. Summary for Mark 2:1-12: 2:1-12 This controversy story is also a miracle story, which links it to the previous collection (1:21-45 ). 2:1 back home: See Matt 4:13 . The crowd’s size shows Jesus’ popularity.

Summary for Mark 2:1-3:6: 2:1–3:6 ^a Five controversy stories (2:1-12 ^b, 13-17 ^c, 18-22 ^d, 23-28 ^e; 3:1-6 ^f), grouped by their common theme, reveal Jesus’ great authority and the leaders’ hostility toward him.
Summary for Mark 2:1-12: 2:1-12 ^g This controversy story is also a miracle story, which links it to the previous collection (1:21-45 ^h). 2:1 ⁱ back home: See Matt 4:13 ^j. The crowd’s size shows Jesus’ popularity.
2:4 ^k because of the crowd: See 2:1 ^l.

• The roof would have been flat, constructed of mud, thatch, and branches. They literally dug a hole to make an opening.
2:5 ^m Jesus saw the faith of the paralytic and the four men who brought him.

• your sins are forgiven: Those listening understood Jesus’ words as a claim to divine authority (2:6-10 ⁿ; Luke 7:48-49 ^o).
Summary for Mark 2:6-7: 2:6-7 ^p Only God can forgive sins, yet Jesus had authority to do so (2:10 ^q).
Summary for Mark 2:9-11: 2:9-11 ^r It is easier to say ... your sins are forgiven because this claim cannot be directly proved or disproved, while the claim to heal can be. Jesus showed his ability to heal in order to show his authority to forgive.
2:12 ^s We’ve never seen anything like this before! Mark consistently records Jesus creating amazement (1:22 ^t, 27 ^u; 4:41 ^v; 6:50-51 ^w).