Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 2:12

"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 2:12 (ASV)

The man’s cure was instantaneous; in full view of everyone there, he walked out. The crowd responded with amazement and gave praise to God for what had happened. Never before had they seen anything like this.

The emphasis in this story is not on Jesus’ pity for a helpless cripple that moved him to heal, but on his power to forgive sins. In his act of forgiveness Jesus was also declaring the presence of God’s kingdom among humans.