17 One day He was teaching ; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem ; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing . 18 And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed ; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. 19 But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd , they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher , into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus . 20 Seeing their faith , He said , "Friend , your sins are forgiven you." 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason , saying , " Who is this man who speaks blasphemies ? Who can forgive sins , but God alone ?" 22 But Jesus , aware of their reasonings , answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts ? 23 "Which is easier , to say , 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say , 'Get up and walk '? 24 "But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ,"-He said to the paralytic -"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home ." 25 Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God . 26 They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God ; and they were filled with fear , saying , "We have seen remarkable things today ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 5:17-26
Commentary on Luke 5:17-26
(Read Luke 5:17-26)
How many are there in our assemblies, where the gospel is preached, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told them, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the paralytic. In applying to Christ, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith, and is very pleasing to Christ, and prevailing with him. Give us, Lord, the same kind of faith with respect to thy ability and willingness to heal our souls. Give us to desire the pardon of sin more than any earthly blessing, or life itself. Enable us to believe thy power to forgive sins; then will our souls cheerfully arise and go where thou pleasest.