Mark 2

Christ preacheth again in Capernaum with great concourse of people 1, there is brought unto him one palse-struck or lame whose sins he forgives and healeth him proving against the scribes that he had also power to forgive sins 3 calleth Matthew from the custom 13 eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners and justifies it 15 gives reasons wherefore his disciples fasted not at that time like as the disciples of John and the Pharisees did 18 the disciples pluck ears of corn on the Sabbath and are defended by Christ 23.

1. And after some days [the particle some is many time omitted by the Hebrews when they cometh any expression of the time bewit Genesis 4:3 and 24.55 and yet is understood] he came again into the Capernaum [namely privately and unlooked for]and it was heard rumoured that he was in the house [viz. in which he dwelt or was at home see Matthew 4:13]

2. And straightway they were many gathered together in so much that even the places also about the door could no more contain them and he spake the word unto them [namely of the kingdom of the gospel.]

3. And there came some unto him bringing one sick of the palsie [or lame as Matthew 4:24] who was born up by four [Gr. taken up.]

4. And not being able to come near him by the reason of the multitude they uncovered the roof [or lost] where he was and having broken that up [Gr. digged up for the roofs were flate above and covered with bricks or tile-stones which here they digged up see Luke 5:19] they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palse lay [Krabbaton which was a light little bed like a mattress whereon men used to rest at noon and on which they used much to lay the sick that they might the more fitly transport them from one place to another.]

5. And Jesus seeing their faith [namely both of the sick of the palse an those that carried him] said to the sick of the palsie son thy sins are forgiven thee.

6. And some of the scribes fate there and reasoned in their hearts.

7. Why doth this man speak blasphemy thus? [see hereof the annotations of Matthew 9:3.] who can forgive sins but God only ?

8. And Jesus straightway knowing in his spirit [that is in his soul namely by the revelation of his Godhead which is often set off by the word Spirit Romans 1.4Hebrew 9.14 .1 Peter 3:18] that they reasoned thus in themselves and said unto them what reasons ye these things in your hearts?

9. Which is easier [see hereof and of that which follows the annotation as Matthew 9:5] to say to the sick of the palse thy sins be forgiven thee and to say arise and take up thy bed and walk?

10. But that ye may know that the son of man hand power to forgive sins on earth he said to the sick of the palse.

11. I say unto thee arise and take up thy bed and go home.

12. And straightway he arose having taken up the bed he went forth in the presence of all so that they were all amazed and glorified God saying we never saw such a thing [GR thus]

13. And he went forth again toward the sea [namely the lake Galilee or Gennesareth on which Capernaum lay] and the whole multitude came to him and he taught them

14. And passing by he saw Levi who was also called Matthew see Matthew 9 verse 9] the son of Alpbeus sit in the custome house [or on the custome or at the custome house] and he said unto him follow me and he arising followed him .

15. And it came to pass as he sate down [namely at meat] in the house of the same man that many publican also of the sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples for they were many and had followed him.

16. And the scribes and Pharisees seeing him eat with the publicans and sinners [see the annotations Matthew 9:10] said unto his disciples why is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17. And Jesus hearing that said unto them they that are in the health have no need of the physician but they that are sick [Gr they that are ill that is they that are ill at ease or indisposed] I came not to call righteous ones but sinners to repentance .

18. And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fasted [namely often as is shewed Matthew 9:14 and Luke 5:33] and they came and said unto him why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast and the disciples fast not?[see likewise of this whole history and similitudes Matthew 9:14]

19. And Jesus said unto them can the wedding children fast while the bridegroom is with them they cannot fast.

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

21. And no man soweth a patch of undrest cloth on an old garment else the patch of it new set on rends some what off from the old garment and there is a worse rent made.

22. and no man putteth new wine in old leather bottles sacks else the new wine makes the leather bottle burst or rend and the wine is spilt and the leather bottle waste or perish but new wine must be put into new leather bottles .

23. And it came to pass that on the Sabbath day [Gr. in the Sabbaths] he went through the sown fields [see the expositions here of in the annotations on Matthew 12:1] and his disciples began as they went to pluck ears [Gr. to go plucking ears]

24. And the Pharisees said unto him behold why do they on the Sabbath day [Gr. Sabbath] that which is not lawful.

25. And he said unto them have you never read what David did when he had need and was an hungred and they that were with him?

26. How he went into the time of God in the time of Abiathar the priest [this Abiathar is called Ahimelech 1 Samuel 21:1 and his son is called Abiathar yet he appears by divers places of scripture that both these names were given to the father and to the son see 2 Sam 8.17 and 15.29,35 1 Kings 2:26,27 and 1 Chronicles 4:6] and did eat the shew bread which is lawful for no man to eat but the priest and gave alos to those that were with him .

27. And he said unto them the Sabbath is made [Gr. was] for man [namely as well to strengthen his soul as to refresh his body and not for to let it perish] and not man for the Sabbath.

28. Therefore the son of man is Lord also for the Sabbath.