Jesus was teaching in a house, and the room was so full that no one else could get in—not even near the door. Pharisees and teachers of the law had gathered from every town in the region to listen to him.

Outside, a group of men arrived carrying a paralyzed friend on a mat. When they could not reach Jesus because of the crowd, they went up onto the roof. Carefully, they removed part of the roof above where Jesus was sitting and lowered the man down right in front of him.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

The religious teachers were shocked. They began to question in their hearts, “Who does he think he is? Only God can forgive sins.”

Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”

Then he turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.”

Immediately, the man stood up in front of everyone, took what he had been lying on, and walked out praising God.

The crowd was amazed. They said, “We have never seen anything like this!” and they glorified God for what they had witnessed.