1 A nd again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and 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 straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached 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 unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was 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 press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein 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 W hen Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

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

6 B ut there was 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 blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

“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 immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said 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 hether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; 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 power 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, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

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

12 A nd immediately he arose, 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 receipt of custom, and said 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, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together 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 when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they 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 W hen Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

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 the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and 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 children 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 shall they fast in those days.

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 also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

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 bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

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 went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

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, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, 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 went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which 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 T herefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

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