Mark 2:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Chapter Summary Mark 2:1-2 Christ, followed by multitudes, Mark 2:3-12 healeth one sick of the palsy, Mark 2:13-14 calleth Matthew from the receipt of custom, Mark 2:15-17 justifieth himself for eating with publicans and sinners, Mark 2:18-22 excuses his disciples for not fasting, Mark 2:23-28 and vindicates them for plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day. Ver. 1-12. We read the history of this miracle in Matthew nine. See Poole on "Matthew 9:1", and following verses to Matthew 9:8, having there taken in those passages in this evangelist's relation which Matthew had not, I shall only take notice of some few things not there touched upon. He preached the word unto them; the word of God, the gospel. There are other words, but that is the word, Matthew 13:20 Mark 8:32 Mark 16:20 Luke 1:2 Acts 17:11: the most excellent word, and the only word to be preached. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God? So as it was on all hands then received, that none but the creditor could discharge the debt, none but God could forgive sins. But how spite cankers things! Our Saviour did not say till afterward that he forgave him his sins. What blasphemy was there in this saying, Thy sins be forgiven thee? But what if none but God could forgive sins? Could also any but God tell unto men their thoughts? 1 Samuel 16:7 1 Chronicles 28:9 2 Chronicles 6:30 Psalms 7:9 Jeremiah 17:10. That Christ could tell their thoughts was matter of demonstration to them, Mark 2:6,8; why might they not also have allowed him a power to forgive sins? But they could not for this charge him with blasphemy, which was their malicious design.