The setting was the house of Peter’s mother-in-law, a large 1st century structure one can visit today in the excavated town of Capernaum beside the shore of Galilee. The main Roman road from the Mediterranean to Damascus ran nearby. Capernaum was the city Jesus called “home” during His earthly ministry.


On this particular day centuries ago, the news had spread and the crowd was thick. Knowing that Jesus had the power to heal, four men climbed up and removed the thatched winter roof to lower their paralytic friend to where the Master was teaching. Not only was the man physically healed, but also Jesus told him, “Your sins are forgiven.” The teachers of the law thought He was committing blasphemy since, as they were saying to themselves, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” They were right that only God could forgive sins, but they were wrong that Jesus did not have that authority to do so. This double healing shows us that the Son of Man is able to forgive and cancel the penalty of sin, then and now!