Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 9:2

"And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven." — Matthew 9:2 (ASV)

Mark (2:3–12) and Luke (5:8–26) inform us that this paralytic was brought to Jesus by lowering him through the roof. Jesus “saw their faith”—presumably that of the paralytic and those carrying him—exemplified in their coming, though he spoke only to the paralytic. Jesus’ statement to him implies a close link between sin and sickness ()—perhaps in this case a direct one (cf. Jn 5:14; 1 Corinthians 11:29–30). It implies that of paralysis and sin, sin is the more basic problem.