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Mark 2
Mark 2:1
Connecting Statement:
After preaching and healing people throughout Galilee, Jesus returns to Capernaum, where he heals and forgives the sin of a paralyzed man.
it was heard that he was at home
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people there heard that he was staying at his home" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Mark 2:2
So many gathered there
The word "there" refers to the house that Jesus stayed at in Capernaum. Alternate translation: "So many people gathered there" or "So many people came to the house" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
there was no more space
This refers to there being no space inside the house. Alternate translation: "there was no more room for them inside" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Jesus spoke the word to them
"Jesus spoke his message to them"
Mark 2:3
four people were carrying him
"four of them were carrying him." It is likely that there were more than four people within the group that brought the man to Jesus.
were bringing a paralyzed man
"were bringing a man who was unable to walk or use his arms"
Mark 2:4
could not get near him
"could not get close to where Jesus was"
they removed the roof that was above Jesus, and after they made an opening, they lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on
Houses where Jesus lived had flat roofs made of clay and covered with tiles. The process of making a hole in the roof can be explained more clearly or made more general so that it may be understood in your language. Alternate translation: "they removed the tiles from the part of the roof above where Jesus was. And when they had dug through the clay roof, they lowered" or "they made a hole in the roof above where Jesus was, and then they lowered"
Mark 2:5
Seeing their faith
"Seeing the men's faith." Possible meanings are 1) that only the men who carried the paralyzed man had faith or 2) that the paralyzed man and the men who brought him to Jesus all had faith. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Son
The word "Son" here shows Jesus cared for the man as a father cares for a son. Alternate translation: "My son" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
your sins are forgiven
Jesus did not clearly say who was forgiving the man's sins. Alternate translation: "your sins are gone" or "you do not have to pay for your sins" or "your sins do not count against you"
Mark 2:6
reasoned in their hearts
Here "their hearts" is a metonym for the people's thoughts. Alternate translation: "were thinking to themselves" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Mark 2:7
How can this man speak this way?
The scribes used this question to show their anger that Jesus said "Your sins are forgiven." Alternate translation: "This man should not speak this way!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Who can forgive sins but God alone?
The scribes used this question to say that since only God can forgive sins, then Jesus should not say "Your sins are forgiven." Alternate translation: "Only God can forgive sins!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Mark 2:8
in his spirit
"in his inner being" or "in himself"
they were thinking within themselves
Each of the scribes was thinking to himself; they were not talking to each other.
Why are you thinking this in your hearts?
Jesus uses this question to tell the scribes that what they are thinking is wrong. Alternate translation: "What you are thinking is wrong." or "Do not think that I am blaspheming." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
this in your hearts
The word "hearts" is a metonym for their inner thoughts and desires. Alternate translation: "this inside yourselves" or "these things" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Mark 2:9
Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ... take up your mat and walk'?
Jesus uses this question to make the scribes think about what might prove whether or not he could really forgive sins. Alternate translation: "I just said to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven.' You may think that it is harder to say 'Get up, take up your mat and walk,' because the proof of whether or not I can heal him will be shown by whether or not he gets up and walks." or "You may think that it is easier to say to the paralyzed man 'Your sins are forgiven' than it is to say 'Get up, take up your mat and walk.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Mark 2:10
But in order that you may know
"But so that you may know." The word "you" refers to the scribes and the crowd.
that the Son of Man has authority
Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of Man." Alternate translation: "that I am the Son of Man and I have authority" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Mark 2:11
General Information:
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Mark 2:12
in front of everyone
"while all the people there were watching"
Mark 2:13
Connecting Statement:
Jesus is teaching the crowd beside the Sea of Galilee, and he calls Levi to follow him.
the lake
This is the Sea of Galilee, which is also known as the Lake of Gennesaret.
the crowd came to him
"the people went where he was"
Mark 2:14
Levi son of Alphaeus
Alpheus was Levi's father. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
the tax collector's tent
We do not know what kind of a structure this was or what it was made of. It may have been a tent or booth. It probably included a table and some kind of protection from sun and rain.
Mark 2:15
Connecting Statement:
It is now later in the day, and Jesus is at Levi's house for a meal.
Levi's house
"the home of Levi"
sinners
people who did not obey the law of Moses but committed what others thought were very bad sins
for there were many and they followed him
Possible meanings are 1) "for there were many tax collectors and sinful people who followed Jesus" or 2) "for Jesus had many disciples and they followed him."
Mark 2:16
Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?
The scribes and Pharisees asked this question to show they disapproved of Jesus's hospitality. This can be worded as a statement. Alternate translation: "He should not eat with tax collectors and sinners!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Mark 2:17
Connecting Statement:
Jesus responds to what the scribes had said to his disciples about his eating with tax collectors and sinful people.
he said to them
"he said to the scribes"
People who are strong in body do not need a physician; only people who are sick need one
Jesus used this proverb about sick people and doctors to teach them that only people who know that they are sinful realize that they need Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-proverbs)
strong in body
"healthy"
I did not come to call righteous people, but sinners
Jesus expects his hearers to understand he came for those who want help. Alternate translation: "I came for people who understand they are sinful, not for people who believe they are righteous" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-irony)
but sinners
The words "I came to call" are understood from the phrase before this. Alternate translation: "but I came to call sinners" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Mark 2:18
Connecting Statement:
Jesus tells parables to show why his disciples should not fast while he is with them. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
the Pharisees were fasting ... the disciples of the Pharisees
These two phrases refer to the same group of people, but the second is more specific. Both refer to the followers of the Pharisee sect, but they do not focus on the leaders of the Pharisees. Alternate translation: "the disciples of the Pharisees were fasting ... the disciples of the Pharisees"
Some people
"Some men." It is best to translate this phrase without specifying exactly who these men are. If in your language you have to be more specific, the possible meanings are 1) these men were not among John's disciples or the disciples of the Pharisees or 2) these men were among John's disciples.
came and said to him
"came and said to Jesus"
Mark 2:19
Can the wedding attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them?
Jesus uses this question to remind the people of something they already know and to encourage them to apply it to him and his disciples. Alternate translation: "Wedding attendants do not fast while the bridegroom is with them. Rather they celebrate and feast." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Mark 2:20
the bridegroom will be taken away
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the bridegroom will go away" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
away from them ... they will fast
The words "them" and "they" refer to the wedding attendants.
Mark 2:21
No one sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment
Sewing a piece of new cloth on an old garment will make the hole on an old garment worse if the piece of new cloth has not yet shrunk. Both the new cloth and old garment will be ruined. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 2:22
Connecting Statement:
Jesus begins to tell another parable. This one is about putting new wine into old wineskins rather than into new wineskins. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
new wine
"grape juice." This refers to wine that has not fermented yet. If grapes are unknown in your area, use the general term for fruit juice.
old wineskins
This refers to wineskins that have been used many times.
wineskins
These were bags made out of animal skins. They could also be called "wine bags" or "skin bags."
the wine will burst the skins
New wine expands as it ferments. If it is put in new wineskins, the wineskins will stretch. But old wineskins are brittle and cannot stretch. If new wine is poured into old wineskins, the wineskins will tear open.
are lost
"will be ruined"
fresh wineskins
"new wineskins" or "new wine bags." This refers to wineskins that have never been used.
Mark 2:23
Connecting Statement:
Jesus gives the Pharisees an example from scripture to show why the disciples were not wrong to pick grain on the Sabbath.
pick heads of grain
Plucking grain in others' fields and eating it was not considered stealing. The question was whether it was lawful to do this on the Sabbath. The disciples picked the heads of grain to eat the kernels, or seeds, in them. This can be worded to show the full meaning. Alternate translation: "pick heads of grain and eat the seeds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
heads of grain
The "heads" are the topmost part of the wheat plant, which is a kind of tall grass. The heads hold the mature grain or seeds of the plant.
Mark 2:24
Connecting Statement:
The Pharisees ask a question about what the disciples were doing (verse 23).
doing something that is not lawful on the Sabbath day
Plucking grain in others' fields and eating it (verse 23) was not considered stealing. The question was whether it was lawful to do this on the Sabbath.
Look, why are they doing something that is not lawful on the Sabbath day?
The Pharisees ask Jesus a question to condemn him. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "Look! They are breaking the Jewish law concerning the Sabbath." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Look
"Look at this" or "Listen." This is a word used to get the attention of someone to show them something. If there is a word in your language that is used to draw a person's attention to something, you could use that here.
Mark 2:25
Connecting Statement:
Jesus begins to scold the Pharisees by asking them a question.
He said to them
"Jesus said to the Pharisees"
Have you never read what David did
This question ends in 2:26. Jesus is reminding the scribes and Pharisees of something David did on the Sabbath. If this rhetorical question is translated as a statement or a command, then the question mark in 2:26 should become a period. Alternate translation: "You have read what David did" or "Remember what you read abou what David did" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
read what David
Jesus refers to reading about David in the Old Testament. This can be translated showing the implicit information. Alternate translation: "read in the scriptures what David" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Mark 2:26
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes asking the question he began in verse 25.
how he went into the house of God ... to those who were with him?
This question began in 2:25. If you translated the rhetorical question as a statement or command in verse 25, then the question mark here should become a period. Alternate translation: "how he went into the house of God ... to those who were with him." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
how he went into the house of God ... to those who were with him
This can be expressed as a statement separate from verse 25. If so, verse 25 should end with a period instead of a dash. Alternate translation: "He went into the house of God ... to those who were with him"
how he went
The word "he" refers to David.
bread of the presence
This refers to the twelve loaves of bread that were placed on a golden table in the tabernacle or temple building as a sacrifice to God.
Mark 2:27
The Sabbath was made for mankind
Jesus makes clear why God established the Sabbath. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God made the Sabbath for mankind" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
mankind
"man" or "people" or "the needs of people." This word here refers to both men and women. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
not mankind for the Sabbath
The words "was made" are understood from the previous phrase. They can be repeated here. Alternate translation: "mankind was not made for the Sabbath" or "God did not make mankind for the Sabbath" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Mark 2:28
General Information:
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