The Complete Sayings of Jesus

A Leper Cleansed — The Draught of Fish — Palsied Man Cured.

A.D. 28. Age 31 By Lake Gennesaret. Capernaum.

Matthew 8, 1-4; 9, 2-7; Mark 1, 40-45; 2, 1-12; Luke 5, 1-15; and 18-25.

WHEN Jesus was come down from the mountain, multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper, who, seeing Jesus, besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Jesus straitly charged him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way: say nothing to any man. Shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift for thy cleansing, those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he began to blaze abroad the matter; and so much the more went there a fame abroad of Jesus.

It came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships. He entered into one, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Simon answering said, Master we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. When they had this done, they inclosed a multitude of fishes: and their net brake. They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. They came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished at the draught of the fishes: and so was also James, and John, which were partners with Simon. Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. They brought their ships to land, forsook all, and followed Jesus.

Again Jesus entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 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.

And, behold, men brought one sick of the palsy, lying on a bed borne by four. They could not come nigh unto Jesus for the press: and when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, they went upon the housetop, and uncovered the roof, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.¹ Certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, said within themselves, This man blasphemeth: who can forgive sins, but God alone? Jesus knowing their thoughts said, What reason ye in your hearts? Why reason ye these things? Wherefore think ye evil? Whether 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? But 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 say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go thy way into thine house. And he arose, took up his bed, and departed to his house.

Footnotes:

¹Matthew, and Mark. Luke's narrative has it, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." (Luke 5, 20.)