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Mark Chapter Study

The Authority of the Son of Man

Mark 2 (KJV)

Mark 2 reveals the authority of Jesus to forgive sins, call sinners, and challenge religious traditions, as He demonstrates that He is Lord over both the physical and spiritual needs of humanity.

What You'll Learn

• Why Jesus first forgave the paralytic before healing him
• What Christ's authority to forgive sins reveals about His identity
• How the faith of the four friends brought a helpless man to Jesus
• Why the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy
• How Jesus proved His authority as the Son of man
• The significance of Jesus calling Levi to follow Him
• Why Jesus ate with publicans and sinners
• What Jesus teaches about fasting and new wine
• Why the sabbath was made for man
• How Jesus reveals Himself as Lord of the sabbath

Mark 2 teaches that Jesus has authority to forgive sins, restore broken lives, call sinners to repentance, and rule over religious tradition as Lord of the sabbath.

Bible Translation Note Scripture Verse-by-Verse Study Chapter Synopsis Prayer Personal Application Weekly Actions Chapter Summary

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

Mark 2:4 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.

Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Mark 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Mark 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, 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 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Mark 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Mark 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Mark 2:20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Mark 2:22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Mark 2:25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

Mark 2:26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Mark 2:1

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Study: Jesus returns to Capernaum, likely His ministry base in Galilee. News spreads quickly that He is present. Where Christ is at work, people begin to hear about it.

Mark 2:2

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

Study: The house fills with people, but Jesus prioritizes preaching the Word. Miracles matter, but truth is foundational. Spiritual growth is built on hearing and receiving God's Word.

Mark 2:3

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

Study: Four men carry a paralyzed man to Jesus. This is a picture of active, sacrificial faith. The man could not get there alone, so others helped bring him to Christ.

Mark 2:4

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.

Study: Obstacles did not stop these men. They found another way to reach Jesus. Real faith presses through difficulty and does not allow barriers to become excuses.

Mark 2:5

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

Study: Jesus first addresses the man's greatest need: forgiveness of sins. Physical healing mattered, but spiritual restoration mattered more.

Mark 2:6

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Study: The scribes do not speak at first, but inwardly begin resisting what Jesus has said. Unbelief often starts in the heart before it reaches the lips.

Mark 2:7

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Study: The scribes rightly know that only God can forgive sins, but they fail to recognize who Jesus is. Their theology is partly right, but their hearts are blind to Christ.

Mark 2:8

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Study: Jesus discerns what they are thinking. He not only hears words; He knows the heart. Nothing in us is hidden from God.

Mark 2:9

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Study: Jesus exposes the difference between an invisible claim and visible evidence. He is preparing to show that His authority to forgive sins is real.

Mark 2:10

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Study: Jesus declares that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins. This is a direct statement about His identity and authority.

Mark 2:11

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

Study: Jesus speaks with direct authority, and His word is enough. The man is commanded to rise, carry what once carried him, and return home healed.

Mark 2:12

And immediately he arose, 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.

Study: The healing is immediate, complete, and public. The people respond with amazement and glorify God because Christ's authority has been made visible.

Mark 2:13

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Study: People gather again around Jesus, and once again He teaches them. Christ consistently forms people through truth.

Mark 2:14

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

Study: Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector whom many would have rejected. No one is beyond the reach of Christ, and true discipleship begins with response.

Mark 2:15

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Study: Jesus shares a meal with publicans and sinners. His grace draws broken people near, and His presence opens the door for repentance and restoration.

Mark 2:16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

Study: The religious leaders are disturbed by Christ's nearness to sinners. Their concern reveals a cold, self-righteous spirit rather than mercy.

Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Study: Jesus describes Himself as a physician and sinners as those in need of healing. His mission is clear: He came to call sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:18

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

Study: The question shifts to fasting and religious practice. The issue is not fasting itself, but whether people understand what God is doing through Christ.

Mark 2:19

And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Study: Jesus identifies Himself as the bridegroom. His presence changes the moment from mourning to joy. Christianity is relational before it is ritualistic.

Mark 2:20

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Study: Jesus points ahead to His coming death and departure. There will be a time for fasting, but it will be connected to longing and dependence.

Mark 2:21

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

Study: Jesus uses the image of patching an old garment with new cloth. Christ did not come to make small cosmetic improvements to old religious systems.

Mark 2:22

And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

Study: The new wine of Christ's work requires new wineskins. The new covenant cannot be contained inside rigid legalism or unchanged hearts.

Mark 2:23

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

Study: A simple action becomes the setting for another confrontation. Religious people can turn even God's gifts into occasions for criticism when the heart is wrong.

Mark 2:24

And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

Study: The Pharisees focus on technical violation rather than human need or the presence of Christ. Legalism magnifies rules while missing mercy.

Mark 2:25

And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

Study: Jesus takes them back to Scripture and the example of David. He shows that need matters and that God's heart is not opposed to mercy.

Mark 2:26

How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

Study: Jesus continues the example, showing that human need and God's mercy are not enemies. Obedience without mercy becomes distortion.

Mark 2:27

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Study: Jesus explains the purpose of the sabbath. It was given as a gift for man's good, not as a crushing burden.

Mark 2:28

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Study: Jesus declares Himself Lord of the sabbath. True rest is ultimately found not in a system alone, but in Christ Himself.

Mark 2 begins with Jesus entering Capernaum again. News spreads that He is in the house, and so many people gather that there is no room left, even at the door. In the middle of this crowd, Jesus preaches the Word to them.

Four men bring a paralyzed man to Jesus, but when they cannot reach Him because of the crowd, they remove part of the roof and lower the man down. Jesus sees their faith and first declares the man's sins forgiven.

The scribes reason in their hearts, accusing Jesus of blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. Jesus knows their thoughts and proves His authority by commanding the paralyzed man to rise, take up his bed, and walk.

The man is immediately healed, and the people are amazed and glorify God. This miracle confirms that Jesus is not only able to heal bodies, but also has authority on earth to forgive sins.

Jesus then calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi rises and follows, and Jesus later eats with publicans and sinners. When the scribes and Pharisees question this, Jesus explains that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The chapter continues with questions about fasting. Jesus describes Himself as the bridegroom and teaches that His presence brings something new, using the images of new cloth and new wine.

Mark 2 closes with a sabbath controversy as the disciples pluck grain while walking through the fields. Jesus answers by pointing to David and then declares that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. He concludes by revealing that the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Lord Jesus, You are the Son of man with authority to forgive sins. Give me the faith of those who carried their friend to You. Remove pride from my heart and replace it with humility and repentance. Teach me to value relationship over ritual, mercy over judgment, and truth over appearance. Help me rest in You as Lord of the sabbath. Make my heart new, and keep me from trying to patch old ways instead of fully yielding to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

• Read Mark 2 again and underline every place Jesus shows authority
• Memorize Mark 2:17
• Pray specifically for one person who needs spiritual healing
• Invite someone spiritually distant into a conversation about Christ
• Study Daniel 7 to deepen your understanding of the title "Son of man"
• Confess one area of pride and surrender it to God
• Take one intentional period of rest focused on worship and trust in Christ

Mark 2 presents Jesus as the authoritative Son of man. He forgives sin, heals the paralytic, calls Levi, welcomes sinners, answers questions about fasting, and declares Himself Lord of the sabbath. The healing of the paralytic confirms His authority to forgive sins. The calling of Levi reveals His mercy toward those many would reject. His teaching about fasting and the sabbath shows that He did not come to merely patch old religion, but to bring fulfillment, renewal, and life. The warning in the chapter is against spiritual pride and rigid legalism. The encouragement is that no sinner is beyond Christ's call. The practical takeaway is clear: come to Jesus with faith, trust His authority, follow Him without delay, extend grace to others, and rest under His lordship.

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