Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 2:3-12

"And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay. And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, [even] God? And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house. And he arose, and straightway 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." — Mark 2:3-12 (ASV)

Verse 3. Borne of four. This means carried on a couch by four men.

The press. This refers to the crowd, the multitude of people. Jesus was probably in the large open area, or hall, in the centre of the house. The people pressed into that area and blocked up the door, so that they could not gain access to Him. (See the notes on Matthew 9:2).

They uncovered the roof where He was. (See the notes on Matthew 9:2). Houses were flat. In cities they joined each other, and the roofs constituted an agreeable place for walking. It is not improbable that they ascended a neighbouring house and came over the hall where Jesus was. They removed the curtain or awning, drawn over the area where Jesus was, so that they might let the man down before Him.

When they had broken it up. This means when they had removed the awning and a part of the banisters, which allowed them to let the man down.

Their faith. This refers to their confidence or belief that He could heal the man.

Son. This term is literally child. The Hebrews used the words son and child with a great latitude of meaning; these terms were applied to children, grandchildren, adopted children, any descendants, disciples, followers, young people, and dependents. (See the notes on Matthew 1:1). In this instance, "Son" denotes affection or kindness. It was a word of consolation—an endearing appellation applied by the Saviour to the sick man to show His compassion, inspire confidence, and assure him that He would heal him.

We never saw it on this fashion. This literally means, "we never saw it so." In other words, they had never seen anything like this before.