15. But the news about Jesus spread even more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses,
16. but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.
17. One day as Jesus was teaching the people, the Pharisees and teachers of the law from every town in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem were there. The Lord was giving Jesus the power to heal people.
18. Just then, some men were carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and put him down before Jesus.
19. But because there were so many people there, they could not find a way in. So they went up on the roof and lowered the man on his mat through the ceiling into the middle of the crowd right before Jesus.
20. Seeing their faith, Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21. The Jewish teachers of the law and the Pharisees thought to themselves, “Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? Only God can forgive sins.”
22. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why are you thinking these things?