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 be forgiven thee.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσέφερον
they brought
G4374
προσέφερον
they brought
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
3 of 25
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
παραλυτικῷ
a man sick of the palsy
G3885
παραλυτικῷ
a man sick of the palsy
Strong's:
G3885
Word #:
5 of 25
as if dissolved, i.e., "paralytic"
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
βεβλημένον
lying
G906
βεβλημένον
lying
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
8 of 25
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
seeing
G1492
ἰδὼν
seeing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 25
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 25
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
14 of 25
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραλυτικῷ
a man sick of the palsy
G3885
παραλυτικῷ
a man sick of the palsy
Strong's:
G3885
Word #:
18 of 25
as if dissolved, i.e., "paralytic"
ἀφέωνταί
be forgiven
G863
ἀφέωνταί
be forgiven
Strong's:
G863
Word #:
21 of 25
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
Cross References
Matthew 9:22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.Acts 19:12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.James 2:18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.Matthew 8:10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.Matthew 4:24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.John 21:5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.Isaiah 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.Acts 14:9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.Matthew 9:6But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Historical Context
Mark and Luke record that the friends lowered the man through the roof—extraordinary faith and effort. Jesus saw 'their faith' (Mark 2:5), showing corporate faith on another's behalf. The paralysis may have resulted from sin, or Jesus addressed spiritual need first as the greater concern.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus prioritizing spiritual healing over physical challenge your priorities?
- Whose faith can you emulate by bringing others to Jesus?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The phrase 'they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed' shows faith in action—friends brought the paralyzed man to Jesus. Jesus' response 'Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee' addresses the spiritual need before the physical, showing sin is humanity's primary problem. The term 'Son' expresses compassion. 'Be of good cheer' (Greek: tharseō) means 'take courage'—the forgiveness announcement should give confidence.