1 A nd when he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house.

After some days Jesus went back to the city of Capernaum. Then news got around that He was home.

2 A nd many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door: and he spake the word unto them.

Soon many people gathered there. There was no more room, not even at the door. He spoke the Word of God to them.

3 A nd they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.

Four men came to Jesus carrying a man who could not move his body.

4 A nd when they could not come nigh unto him for the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed whereon the sick of the palsy lay.

These men could not get near Jesus because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof of the house over where Jesus stood. Then they let down the bed with the sick man on it.

5 A nd Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven.

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

6 B ut there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Some teachers of the Law were sitting there. They thought to themselves,

7 W hy doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?

“Why does this Man talk like this? He is speaking as if He is God! Who can forgive sins? Only One can forgive sins and that is God!”

8 A nd straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

At once Jesus knew the teachers of the Law were thinking this. He said to them, “Why do you think this in your hearts?

9 W hich is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Which is easier to say to the sick man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your bed, and start to walk?’

10 B ut that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),

I am doing this so you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” He said to the sick man who could not move his body,

11 I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

“I say to you, ‘Get up. Take your bed and go to your home.’”

12 A nd he arose, and straightway took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

At once the sick man got up and took his bed and went away. Everybody saw him. They were all surprised and wondered about it. They thanked God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Jesus Calls Matthew

13 A nd he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

Jesus walked along the sea-shore again. Many people came together and He taught them.

14 A nd as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

He walked farther and saw Levi (Matthew) the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at his work gathering taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” Levi got up and followed Him. Jesus Eats with Tax-Gatherers and Sinners

15 A nd it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Jesus ate in Levi’s house. Many men who gather taxes and others who were sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His followers. There were many following Him.

16 A nd the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

The teachers of the Law and the proud religious law-keepers saw Jesus eat with men who gather taxes and others who were sinners. They said to His followers, “Why does He eat and drink with men who gather taxes and with sinners?”

17 A nd when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Jesus heard it and said to them, “People who are well do not need a doctor. Only those who are sick need a doctor. I have not come to call those who are right with God. I have come to call those who are sinners.” Jesus Teaches about Going without Food So You Can Pray Better

18 A nd John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto him, Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

The followers of John and the proud religious law-keepers were not eating food so they could pray better. Some people came to Jesus and said, “Why do the followers of John and the proud religious law-keepers go without food so they can pray better, but Your followers do not?”

19 A nd Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Jesus said to them, “Can the friends at a wedding go without food when the man just married is with them? As long as they have him with them, they will not go without food.

20 B ut the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then will they fast in that day.

The days will come when the man just married will be taken from them. Then they will not eat food so they can pray better.

21 N o man seweth a piece of undressed cloth on an old garment: else that which should fill it up taketh from it, the new from the old, and a worse rent is made.

No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old coat. If it comes off, it will make the hole bigger.

22 A nd no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the wine will burst the skins, and the wine perisheth, and the skins: but they put new wine into fresh wine-skins.

No man puts new wine into old skin bags. The skin would break and the wine would run out. The bags would be no good. New wine must be put into new skin bags.” Jesus Teaches about the Day of Rest

23 A nd it came to pass, that he was going on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears.

At that time Jesus walked through the grain-fields on the Day of Rest. As they went, His followers began to take some of the grain.

24 A nd the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

The proud religious law-keepers said to Jesus, “See! Why are they doing what the Law says should not be done on the Day of Rest?”

25 A nd he said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was hungry, he, and they that were with him?

He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his men were hungry?

26 H ow he entered into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?

He went into the house of God when Abiathar was head religious leader of the Jews. He ate the special bread used in the religious worship. The Law says only the Jewish religious leaders may eat that. David gave some to those who were with him also.”

27 A nd he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Jesus said to them, “The Day of Rest was made for the good of man. Man was not made for the Day of Rest.

28 s o that the Son of man is lord even of the sabbath.

The Son of Man is Lord of the Day of Rest also.”