The Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12 *, Matthew 9:1-8 *). All three accounts are in close agreement. Lk. however introduces at the outset Pharisees and teachers of the law from all over Galilee as well as from Judæ a and Jerusalem. The last clause of Luke 5:17 is peculiar; literally, the power of the Lord was present for Him to heal with. In Luke 5:19 Lk. rewrites Mk.'s description of how the sufferer was lowered through an aperture in the tiles (none were removed). Mt. omits it. Lk. makes the patient (Luke 5:25), as well as the onlookers, glorify God. On Pharisees see pp. 624, 666.
Luke 5:17-26
17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him,Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them,What reason ye in your hearts?
23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,)I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.