Mark 2:3 kjv

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

Mark 2:3 nkjv

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

Mark 2:3 niv

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

Mark 2:3 esv

And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.

Mark 2:3 nlt

four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat.

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 3 Meaning

Mark 2:3 describes a group of people bringing a paralytic man to Jesus, who was residing in a house in Capernaum. The verse highlights the man's complete helplessness, requiring four men to carry him, and their determination to bring him into Jesus' presence for healing. It sets the scene for Jesus' demonstration of both His power to heal and His authority to forgive sins.

Mark 2 3 Context

Mark Chapter 2 immediately follows Jesus' initial ministry and healings in Capernaum and Galilee, establishing His authority and drawing significant crowds. After teaching in the synagogue (Mk 1:21-28) and healing many, including Peter's mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31), Jesus' reputation exploded. He could no longer openly enter cities due to the crowds (Mk 1:45). This verse (Mark 2:3) takes place after Jesus returns to Capernaum, teaching in a house. The overwhelming popularity means the house is so full that there's no room, not even at the door (Mk 2:2). This dense crowd sets up the physical obstacle the men overcome, which becomes crucial to the narrative. The subsequent verses reveal Jesus' controversial claim of authority to forgive sins, which immediately draws scrutiny from the religious authorities. The healing of the paralytic then serves as tangible proof of that divine authority. Historically, Capernaum was a thriving fishing village and customs post, making it a fitting base for Jesus' ministry, attracting diverse crowds, and placing Him within the reach of both the common people and the established Jewish religious leaders who would soon challenge His authority. The concept of physical affliction often being linked to sin in Jewish thought of that era also provides a subtle polemical background for Jesus' declaration of sin forgiveness before healing.

Mark 2 3 Word analysis

• Then (καὶ, kai): A simple connective, indicating a progression in the narrative from the general scene described in Mk 2:1-2 to a specific event. It signals the immediate sequence of events after Jesus' teaching had drawn a massive crowd.
• they (ἔρχονται, erchontai): Implies a distinct group of people, distinct from the large crowd mentioned earlier. This collective 'they' will be revealed as the four friends. Their action is purposeful, a coming "to Him."
• came (ἔρχονται, erchontai): Present tense, active verb, conveying immediate, ongoing, or vivid action, though translated here as past in narrative flow. It emphasizes their initiative and determined approach.
• to Him (πρὸς αὐτόν, pros auton): Clearly identifies Jesus as the focal point. Everyone is coming to Jesus; He is the source of help and hope.
• bringing (φέροντες, pherontes): A participle (from pherō), meaning "carrying" or "bearing." It highlights the physical effort involved. It's an active participle, emphasizing that they are doing the action of bringing, rather than someone else. This points to their agency and commitment.
• a paralytic (παραλυτικὸν, paralytikon): Describes the man's condition: he is unable to move his limbs, completely helpless, bedridden. In the New Testament, paralysis could range from full quadriplegia to hemiplegia. This word evokes total dependence and incapacity. This helplessness often symbolizes spiritual inability or bondage without divine intervention.
• who was carried (αἰρόμενον, airomenon): Another participle, emphasizing his passive state – he is being carried. The verb airō means "to lift up, to carry away, to remove." It reinforces his utter dependence on others for transport and the extent of his physical affliction.
• by four men (ὑπὸ τεσσάρων, hypo tessarōn): This specific number is notable. It indicates a significant collective effort and a burden requiring multiple bearers. The number four can symbolically suggest a thorough or complete effort, possibly alluding to the four corners of a litter or bed, each manned by a friend. It underscores the severity of the paralytic's condition and the unwavering resolve of his companions.

Mark 2 3 Bonus section

The active role of the "four men" points to the vital ministry of bringing others to Jesus, even when faced with significant barriers. Their action embodies sacrificial love and demonstrates that collective, determined effort can make the seemingly impossible path to Christ accessible for the needy. This resonates throughout Christian ministry, where individuals often need the help and spiritual intercession of others to find their way to salvation or healing. This scene also foreshadows the challenge to Jewish purity laws regarding touch and disease, and sets the immediate context for Jesus' declaration of divine authority (Mark 2:5-12), as He transcends the immediate request for physical healing to address the deeper, spiritual ailment of sin. The intensity of the crowd around Jesus suggests that the ordinary methods of access were insufficient, prompting the friends to innovative and determined action—a powerful lesson in persistent faith.

Mark 2 3 Commentary

Mark 2:3 concisely paints a picture of human desperation meeting dedicated faith. The specific detail of "four men" carrying the paralytic emphasizes both the severity of the man's condition, rendering him utterly dependent, and the substantial, unified effort of his companions. This is not a casual stroll, but a burdensome journey motivated by persistent hope. Their act foreshadows their willingness to overcome significant obstacles to reach Jesus. This seemingly simple action also sets the stage for a profound theological declaration by Jesus, demonstrating that true healing addresses not only the body but also the soul, through His unique authority to forgive sins. The verse, therefore, quietly underscores the power of intercessory action and corporate faith in bringing the helpless to the Christ. It highlights Jesus' accessibility to those in genuine need, despite external barriers like large crowds, and the radical hope people placed in Him.