Mark Chapter 2 Explained

Jesus knows the Law. He is Lord of the Sabbath. Please find my commentary below. I trust it will be of benefit. 

THE GOSPEL

ACCORDING TO SAINT MARK

CHAPTER II

“1 Christ healeth one sicke of the palsie, 14 calleth Matthew from the receit of the Custome, 15 eateth with Publicanes, and sinners, 18 excuseth his disciples for not fasting, 23 and for plucking the eares of corne on the Sabbath day.

The Translators

OVERVIEW

Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread throughout the city, and the people came to the house, and Jesus preached the word to them. They brought one sick of the palsie and lowered him through the roof into the house. And, seeing their faith, Jesus said, thy sins be forgiven. But certain Scribes reasoned in their hearts, saying Jesus spoke blasphemies; for, only God can forgive sins. But Jesus knew their inner thoughts and asked them why they reasoned these things within their hearts. And, he asked them which is easier to heal the sick or say thy sins are forgiven. Then Jesus declared to them that he has the power to forgive sins. Then, he healed the man. And, they were all amazed, and glorified God; for, they had never seen the like. Then Jesus went to the seaside, and they followed him, and he taught them. He saw Levi, the son of Alpheus and said to him, follow me. And, Alpheus obeyed.

Jesus sat to eat with Publicans and sinners, and the Scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus’ disciples, what kind of man does this. Jesus heard it, and said that the healthy do not need a physician, rather, the sick. He came not to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.

The Scribes said that the disciples of the Pharisees and John fast, so why don’t Jesus’ disciples fast. And, Jesus said that the children of the Bridegroom don’t fast while he is with them. But, when he is taken away, then they will fast.

No man puts new cloth in an old garment, lest the rent is made worse. Similarly, no one puts new wine into old bottles, lest the bottles burst and the wine is spilled.

The Pharisees asked why Jesus’ disciples do unlawful things on the Sabbath. And, Jesus reminded them that David, when hungered, did the same.

Then Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man; man was not made for the Sabbath. Furthermore, the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

V. 1

“1 And againe hee entred into Capernaum after some dayes, and it was noysed that he was in the house.”

Having preached throughout Galilee, Jesus returned to Capernaum to the house of Simon and Andrew. The news spread that he was there.

V. 2

“2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no roome to receiue them, no not so much as about the doore: and he preached the word vnto them.”

Upon hearing that Jesus was in the house, people immediately came, and the place was full of people, in and out (the house, the porch and courtyard). And Jesus “preached the word vnto them,” which is the Gospel of the kingdom of God, meaning turning from self and sin to God for forgiveness and salvation; that the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15).

V. 3

“3 And they come vnto him, bringing one sicke of the palsie, which was borne of foure.”

“Palsie” refers to involuntary tremors and perhaps paralysis. This man was so stricken that four person were needed to carry him.

V. 4

“4 And when they could not come nigh vnto him for preasse, they vncouered the roofe where he was: and when they had broken it vp, they let downe the bed wherin the sicke of the palsie lay.”

They could not enter the house to reach Jesus for the great number of people crowding the way. So, they climbed on the roof, made a hole and lowered the sick man down to where Jesus was preaching.

V. 5

“5 When Iesus saw their faith, hee said vnto the sicke of the palsie, Sonne, thy sinnes be forgiuen thee.”

Jesus recognized the faith of the man with palsy and his friends. Given the lengths they went to get to Jesus, they must have firmly believed Jesus could heal him. Likely knowing the cause of the man’s illness, Jesus said, “thy sinnes be forgiuen thee.” Yet, Jesus calls him “Sonne,” suggesting the man is a true believer in Messiah, though still stricken with an ailment, perhaps a result of sin. All situations in Jesus’ life were for the glorification of God, and we can be certain that everything happening was that the sick man and all witnessing would give God glory; though, that is not always the case, as we find out.

Vs. 6 -7

“6 But there were certaine of the Scribes sitting three, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doeth this man thus speake blasphemies? Who can forgiue sinnes but God onely?”

“The Scribes,” and certainly we might include others, disdained Jesus for presuming to forgive sins. Yet, we know Jesus did nothing without purpose; and, this was done that they might face the condition of their hearts, but at the same time declare Jesus God, if he indeed had the power to forgive sins. They presumed he had no power to forgive sins and therefore blasphemed God, making himself equal to God. Their understanding of God was correct, regarding the forgiveness of sins; only God can forgive sins; however, their Christology was incorrect. Had they understood that Messiah is Emmanuel (God with us) and “the mighty God,” (Isaiah 9:6) and that Jesus was the very fulfillment of Messiah, they would have understood that he could both forgive sins and heal the sick.

V. 8

“8 And immediatly, when Iesus perceiued in his Spirit, that they so reasoned within themselues, he said vnto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?”

Jesus knew their thoughts. His omniscience was made evident. He asked them why they reasoned in their hearts; not because he did not know, but because he wanted them to examine themselves. What spirit prompted them to think such thoughts? Surely not the Spirit of God; for, he testifies of Christ, not against him. So, what spirit indwelled them that they should think Jesus a blasphemer?

V. 9

“9 Whether is it easier to say to the sicke of the palsie, Thy sinnes be forgiuen the: or to say, Arise, and take vp thy bed and walke?”

Having not yet cured the man, Jesus poses this question; the obvious answer being that it is easier to say thy sins are forgiven than to heal someone. Yet, Jesus could and would do both with equal ease and authority, much to the consternation of the scribes. Though the scribes might deny Jesus could forgive sins, they could not deny the obvious evidence of a miracle.

V. 10

“10 But that yee may know that the Sonne of man hath power on earth to forgiue sinnes, (Hee saith to the sicke of the palsie,)”

Jesus makes it clear that what he did was not for the benefit of the scribes, but that the man healed might further glorify God and know that Jesus is Messiah.

V. 11

“11 I say vnto thee, Arise, & take vp thy bed, & goe thy way into thine house.”

Thus, Jesus commanded the man to rise, take up his bed and walk; and, the man went to his house healed, as Jesus said.

V. 12

“12 And immediatly he arose, tooke vp the bed, and went foorth before them all, insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God saying, Wee neuer saw it on this fashion.”

The sick man did this in front of many people, including the Scribes and Pharisees; and all were amazed, never having seen the like. And, many glorified God. How could Jesus, a man capable of such goodness, be a blasphemer? Surely, many of the Scribes and Pharisees were angered by this. What explanation could there be other than God was with Jesus?

V. 13

“13 And he went foorth againe by the sea side, and all the multitude resorted vnto him, and he taught them.”

Mark refers to the Sea of Galilee; for, Capernaum (v.1) was a port city thereof.

V. 14

“14 And as he passed by, he saw Leui the son of Alpheus sitting at the receit of Custome, and said vnto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

Levi is also called Matthew, the tax collector (Matthew 9:9) Tax collectors had booths at various locations where people came and went from an area. Likely, Levi collected taxes from those leaving and boarding boats on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus asked Levi to follow him; Levi immediately obeyed. He heard the voice of the Master, and followed him (John 10:27).

V. 15

“15 And it came to passe, that as Iesus sate at meate in him house, many Publicanes and sinners sate also together with Iesus and his disciples: for there were many, & they followed him.”

Jesus and his disciples went to eat at Levi’s house with many others; among them were known sinners and publicans. Jesus seemed unconcerned that some might gossip regarding the company he ate with. Not all followed him in adoration, as we learn in the next verse.

V. 16

“16 And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him eate with Publicanes and sinners, they said vnto his disciples, How is it that hee eateth and drinketh with Publicanes and sinners?”

The Scribes and Pharisees, in general, sought to find fault with him, and were not above smearing his character by association with those they regarded unclean and beneath them socially and spiritually.

V. 17

“17 When Iesus heard it, he saith vnto them, They that are whole, haue no need of the Physition, but they that are sicke: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus spoke primarily of their spiritual condition. Though all men are sinners and in need of a savior, not all recognize this of themselves. Yet, the most sick are more inclined to acknowledge their spiritual sickness, while those like the Scribes and Pharisees, appearing clean on the outside, were less likely to admit their sinfulness (Matthew 23:27). He “came not to call the righteous,” means those who regard themselves righteous cannot receive Christ; for, there is no honesty or humility in them; “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23). Rather, the obvious sinner is more likely to admit his condition and perhaps seek deliverance and forgiveness. Jesus said that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before the righteous (meaning those thinking themselves righteous by their own standards.) (Matthew 21:31)

V. 18

“18 And the disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharisees vsed to fast; and they come, and say vnto him, Why doe the disciples of Iohn, and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?”

Again, seeking to find fault with Jesus, the Pharisees implied that Jesus and his disciples were undisciplined and perhaps gluttons, as they did not fast, as was the manner of the Scribes and Pharisees. Religious people (self-righteous) often regard fasting as a sign of righteousness; but, Jesus said, “There is nothing from without a man that entring into him, can defile him: but the things which come out of of him, those are they that defile the man.” (Mark 7:15) In other words, a man is a sinner by thought, word and deed, not by diet.

V. 19

“19 And Iesus said vnto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the Bridegrome is with them? As long as they haue the Bridegrome with them, they cannot fast.”

While “the Bridgrome,” that is Messiah, is with them, they should celebrate his arrival; for, when he is gone, then they might fast and mourn his absence.

V. 20

“20 But the dayes will come, when the Bridegrome shall bee taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those dayes.”

Jesus speaks of his arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension. After his death, he will be “taken away;” for, he will ascend into heaven and be seated on the right hand of God. Afterward, for a time, will they fast and mourn his departure; but, not always; for, Jesus will send the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost. Then, will they know the full joy of redemption in Messiah and the purpose of Christ’s suffering.

V. 21

“21 No man also soweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it vp, taketh away from the old, & the rent is made worse.”

This refers to incorrectly merging Mosaic Law with faith in Christ; for example, that is insisting dietary laws are a necessary part of faith in Christ. Trying to mix the two, rips holes in their individual integrity. (See verse 18, Mark 7:15; what comes out of a man defiles him, not what goes in.)

V. 22

“22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles, else the new wine doeth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will bee marred: But new wine must bee put into new bottles.”

Faith in Christ cannot be merged with Mosaic Law; for, in Christ believers are no longer subject to the Law; but, have it written on the fleshly tables of their heart. Faith to the man steeped in the Law becomes a stumbling stone of offense, and he will hate it all the more. But, faith to the man who has let the Law be his schoolmaster, teaching him of his sinful nature, becomes overjoyed to know that Messiah keeps the Law in his place, and stands in his stead before God. The born again man is emptied of self and self-righteousness, that he might be filled with faith by the Holy Ghost. If Law and Faith try to occupy the same vessel, it will burst; for, the flesh and the spirit are at enmity; the Law, in part, represents the effort of the flesh, and faith, the unlimited power of the Spirit of God.

Vs. 23 - 24

“23 And it came to passe, that he went thorow the corne fields on the Sabbath day, & his disciples began as they went, to plucke the eares of corne. 24 And the Pharisees saide vnto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawfull?”

Though no law was broken when the disciples and Jesus passed through the corn field, theoretically they broke the Law when they picked corn; for that was considered work. And, work was forbidden on the Sabbath. Furthermore, it was the tradition of the Jews to fast the morning of the Sabbath until prayers were finished at the synagogue. We might surmise that Jesus and the disciples passed through the field in the morning before Sabbath prayers were completed. Thus, the Pharisees challenged Jesus on this count, thinking to trap him in sin and violation of the Law.

V. 25

“25 And he said vnto them, Haue ye neuer read what Dauid did, when hee had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?”

Jesus referred the Pharisees to 1 Samuel 21:1-6, where David and his men were hungry and Ahimelech, the priest, gave them “hallowed bread,” stating that it was permissible if the men had kept themselves from women for an acceptable period of time, which was, in this case, three days.

V. 26

“26 How hee went into the house of God in the dayes of Abiathar the hight Priest, and did eate the Shew-bread, which is not lawfull to eate, but for the Priests, and gaue also to them which were with him?”

Thus, Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the example set by King David and his lawful adherence to both tradition and Law. We might suppose that the Pharisees sought to find Jesus ignorant of the respective Law, or they, in fact, were ignorant of the Law.

Vs. 27 - 28

“27 And hee said vnto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: 28 Therefore the Sonne of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.”

Regarding the Sabbath, Jesus refers specifically to the Jews, and perhaps converts, who were commanded to keep the Sabbath. Yet, the example of King David, proved that Sabbath law was not rigid or without exceptions. Then, proclaiming himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus establishes, in part, his divinity; that he may not be challenged regarding Sabbath-keeping. Therefore, his disciples are exempt from criticism or accusation for obeying his command to pluck and eat corn on the Sabbath.