Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 2:3-5

"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." — Mark 2:3-5 (ASV)

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

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Those who brought this man to Jesus believed that he could and would heal him, and Christ delighted to honour their faith, and perhaps also the faith of the man himself.

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

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

In Luke's account of this gathering, we read that the power of the Lord was present to heal them, and when we ask, "Why was that power so remarkably present?" we think that one reason was that there were people present who were concerned for the well-being of others. Today, wherever four people come together praying for some poor soul, you may rest assured that the power of the Lord will be present there to heal.

I do not think that so much of the success of sermons depends upon the preacher as upon those model hearers who are all the while praying for a blessing, and who are making other members of the congregation—those who are converted—the constant subject of their supplication. Christ blessed this man because of the faith of the four who carried him, and possibly because of his own faith.

Notice that our Lord did not at first say to the sick man, "You are healed of your palsy;" but he said, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. This was laying the axe at the root, because sin is at the bottom of sorrow; and where sin is pardoned, even the effects of sin will be removed.