Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man
Four friends lower a paralyzed man through a roof to get him to Jesus. Jesus first forgives his sins, then heals his body, demonstrating His divine authority.
Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26
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The Story
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that He had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and He preached the word to them.
Four men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They wanted to bring their friend to Jesus, but they could not get him through the crowd. So they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it, and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'
Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that this was what they were thinking. 'Why are you thinking these things?' He asked. 'Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up, take your mat and walk"? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.'
Then He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'
Immediately the man got up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of them all. Everyone was amazed and praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'
The four friends' determination broke through every barrier. The religious leaders' hearts remained closed even when the evidence stood and walked before them. And the paralyzed man received something greater than working legs—he received forgiveness from the only One who could give it.
Through the Roof to See Jesus
Kids Version
A man couldn't walk at all. He had to lie on a mat all day. But he had four REALLY good friends.
One day his friends heard that Jesus was in a house nearby. 'Let's take our friend to Jesus!' they said. They picked up the mat with their friend on it and carried him to the house.
But oh no! There were SO many people crowded around! They couldn't get in the door. They couldn't even get close!
Did the friends give up? NO WAY!
They carried their friend up to the ROOF! They started digging a hole in the roof. Pieces fell down. People inside looked up. 'What's happening?'
The friends made the hole bigger. Then they lowered their friend down, down, down on his mat—right in front of Jesus!
Jesus saw how much those friends believed in Him. He smiled at the man on the mat.
'Your sins are forgiven,' Jesus said.
Some grumpy people thought, 'Only God can forgive sins!'
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, 'I'll show you I have the power to forgive sins!'
Then Jesus said to the man, 'Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home!'
The man STOOD UP! He picked up his mat! He WALKED right out the door! He was totally healed!
Everyone was amazed! 'We've NEVER seen anything like this!'
Those four friends didn't give up. They found a way to get their friend to Jesus. And Jesus did something amazing! What good friends!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Mark 2:1-12 (KJV)
1And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.
2And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
3And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
4And 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.
5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
6But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
7Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
8And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
9Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
10But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
12And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Memory Verse
“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.”
— Mark 2:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man” in the Bible?
Four friends lower a paralyzed man through a roof to get him to Jesus. Jesus first forgives his sins, then heals his body, demonstrating His divine authority. This story is found in Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26.
Where is “Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man” is found in Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, in the book of Mark.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man”?
This story teaches children about Faith, Friendship, Forgiveness, Healing, Jesus' authority. A man couldn't walk, but he had four amazing friends. They couldn't get through the crowd, so they made a hole in the roof and lowered their friend down to Jesus!