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Verse MeaningMarkSome background helps

Mark 2:4: Meaning Explained

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had...

Mark 2:4
Since they couldn't get to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where he was. After breaking through, they lowered the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.
What it means

A group of men want to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. Since the door is blocked by crowds, they dig through the roof and lower him down on a mat.

What’s Happening Here

Jesus is teaching in a packed house. Four friends want to bring a paralyzed friend to Jesus but can't get through the crowd. They're determined, so they climb on the roof, make a hole, and lower their friend down.

Key Words

paralyzedunable to move your body because your muscles don't work
crowda large group of people
mata flat woven thing someone lies on

Why It Matters

These friends show amazing faith and friendship. They don't give up even when it seems impossible to reach Jesus.

Did You Know?

Digging through a roof wasn't unusual in Jesus's time because roofs were flat and made of branches and mud, not shingles.

Tradition Spectrum

Word Study

G2532
Andκαὶ
G3361
notμὴ
G1410
when they couldδυνάμενοι
G4331
come nighπροσεγγίσαι
G846
unto himαὐτῷ
G1223
forδιὰ
G3793
the pressὄχλον
G648
they uncoveredἀπεστέγασαν
G4721
the roofστέγην
G3699
whereὅπου
G2258
he wasἦν
G1846
when they had broken it upἐξορύξαντες
G5465
they let downχαλῶσιν
G2895
the bedκράββατον
G1909
whereinἐφ'
G3885
the sick of the palsyπαραλυτικὸς
G2621
layκατέκειτο

Frequently asked questions

What does Mark 2:4 mean?

A group of men want to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. Since the door is blocked by crowds, they dig through the roof and lower him down on a mat.

What is the context of Mark 2:4?

Jesus is teaching in a packed house. Four friends want to bring a paralyzed friend to Jesus but can't get through the crowd. They're determined, so they climb on the roof, make a hole, and lower their friend down.

Why does Mark 2:4 matter?

These friends show amazing faith and friendship. They don't give up even when it seems impossible to reach Jesus.

What's a surprising detail about Mark 2:4?

Digging through a roof wasn't unusual in Jesus's time because roofs were flat and made of branches and mud, not shingles.

Continue Exploring
Read Mark 2:4 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
  3. Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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