The Scribes Wonder

Mark 2:1-12

The Big Idea

Jesus has authority to forgive sins. God’s work can cause people to wonder, praise, and respond with amazement.

The Bible Story

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Mark 2:1-12 tells how Jesus returned to Capernaum and taught in a crowded house. Four unnamed people brought a paralyzed man and lowered him through the opened roof because they could not reach Jesus through the crowd. Jesus first told the man that his sins were forgiven. Some scribes sitting there questioned this in their hearts, reasoning that only God can forgive sins. Their objection was internal, not spoken aloud. Jesus knew what they were thinking and said that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. He then commanded the man to get up, take his mat, and go home. The man immediately rose, took his mat, and walked out in full view of everyone. The crowd was amazed, praised God, and said they had never seen anything like this. The passage presents Jesus’ authority with respect and does not connect the man’s paralysis to personal blame.

Themes

Amazement and praise to God Faith expressed through determined action Healing Jesus’ authority to forgive sins Respectful friendship and help

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Several unnamed scribes sit inside the crowded house while Jesus, the man on his mat, and the crowd are present. Their thoughtful, questioning expressions can communicate an internal disagreement without making them villains.

Talk together

Talk about it

What were the scribes wondering in their hearts?
How did the crowd respond after seeing what Jesus did?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to discuss Mark 2:6-7 within the larger healing story. Invite children to notice the scribes’ quiet questions and to treat every person with dignity. Do not suggest that disability is caused by sin or that a person’s worth depends on being healed. Keep the scribes unnamed and their objection unspoken.

Source note