Marcos 2
Theophylact of Ohrid
Marcos 2:1-5
Upon the Lord's entrance into Capernaum, many, having heard that He was in a house, gathered in hope of convenient access to Him. At this, the faith of the men who brought the paralytic was so great that they broke through the roof of the house and lowered him down. Therefore the Lord also grants him healing, seeing the faith of those who brought him or the faith of the paralytic himself. For he himself would not have allowed them to take him if he did not believe that he would be healed. However, the Lord often healed on account of the faith of the one bringing, even though the one being brought was not a believer, and conversely, He often healed on account of the faith of the one being brought, even though those bringing him did not believe. First He forgives the sins of the sick man, and then heals the illness, because the most difficult diseases for the most part arise from sins, just as in the Gospel of John the Lord also traces the illness of a certain paralytic to sins. This paralytic mentioned in John is not the same as the one mentioned now; on the contrary, these are two different people. For the one mentioned in John had no one to help him, while this one has four; the first was at the Sheep Pool, while this one is in a house; that one was in Jerusalem, while this one is in Capernaum. One can find other differences between them as well. But it must be said that the one mentioned in Matthew (Matt. 9:2-7) and here in Mark is one and the same. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:1-5
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] This is not however the paralytic, whose cure is related by John, (John 5) for he had no man with him, this one had four; he is cured in the pool of the sheep market, but this one in a house. It is the same man, however, whose cure is related by Matthew (Matt. 9) and Mark. But mystically, Christ is still in Capernaum, in the house of consolation. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:4
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But how should I be borne to Christ, if the roof be not opened. For the roof is the intellect, which is set above all those things which are within us; here it has much earth about it in the tiles which are made of clay, I mean, earthly things: but if these be taken away, the virtue of the intellect within us is freed from its load. After this let it be let down, that is, humbled. For it does not teach us to be puffed up, because our intellect has its load cleared away, but to be humbled still more. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:5
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] If therefore I, having the powers of my mind unstrung, remain, whenever I attempt any thing good without strength, as a palsied man, and if I be raised on high by the four Evangelists, and be brought to Christ, and there hear myself called son, then also are my sins quitted by me; for a man is called the son of God because he works the commandments. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:5
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] He saw the faith of the sick man himself, since he would not have allowed himself to be carried, unless he had had faith to be healed. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:6-8
The Pharisees accused the Lord of blasphemy because He forgave sins, since this belongs to God alone. But the Lord gave them yet another sign of His Divinity — the knowledge of their hearts, for the heart of each person is known to God alone, as the prophet also says: "Thou alone knowest the hearts of all" (3 Kings 8:39; 2 Chron. 6:30). Meanwhile the Pharisees, although the Lord revealed what was in their hearts, remain insensible, and do not concede to the One who knows their hearts that He is also able to heal sins. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:9-10
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But though their thoughts were laid bare, still they remain insensible, refusing to believe that He who knew their hearts could forgive sins, wherefore the Lord proves to them the cure of the soul by that of the body, showing the invisible by the visible, that which is more difficult by that which is easier, although they did not look upon it as such. For the Pharisees thought it more difficult to heal the body, as being more open to view; but the soul more easy to cure, because the cure is invisible; so that they reasoned thus, Lo, He does not now cure the body, but heals the unseen soul; if He had had more power, He would at once have cured the body, and not have fled for refuge to the unseen world. The Saviour, therefore, showing that He can do both, says, Which is the easier? as if He said, I indeed by the healing of the body, which is in reality more easy, but appears to you more difficult, will prove to you the health of the soul, which is really more difficult. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:9-10
Then the Lord, through the healing of the body, confirms that He also healed the soul — that is, by means of what is manifest He establishes what is hidden, and by means of the easier He establishes the more difficult, although it seemed otherwise to them. For the Pharisees considered the healing of the body, as a visible act, to be more difficult, and the healing of the soul, as invisible, to be easier, and they reasoned as if to say: here is a deceiver who avoids the healing of the body, as something obvious, and heals the invisible soul, saying, "Your sins are forgiven you." If He could really heal, then surely He would have healed the body and would not have resorted to what is invisible. Therefore the Savior, showing them that He can accomplish both the one and the other, says: which is easier to heal, the soul or the body? Without doubt, the body; but to you it seems the opposite. And so I will heal the body, which is in fact easy but only seems difficult to you, and thereby I will assure you of the healing of the soul, which is truly difficult but seems easy only because it is invisible and cannot be exposed. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:11-12
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] It is necessary to take up also one's bed, that is the body, to the working of good. For then shall we be able to arrive at contemplation, so that our thoughts should say within us, never have we seen in this way before, that is never understood as we have done since we have been cured of the palsy; for he who is cleansed from sin, sees more purely. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:11-12
Then He says to the paralytic: "Arise, take up your bed," so as to further confirm the reality of the miracle — that it was not imaginary — and at the same time to show that He not only healed the sick man but also gave him strength. So the Lord acts with the infirmities of the soul as well: He not only frees us from sins but also grants us strength for the fulfillment of the commandments. And so even I, a paralytic, can be healed. For even now Christ is in Capernaum, in the house of consolation — that is, in the Church, which is the house of the Comforter. I am paralyzed because the powers of my soul are inactive and immovable toward good; but when the four Evangelists take me up and bring me to the Lord, then I will hear His word: "Child!" For I become a son of God through the fulfillment of the commandments, and my sins will be forgiven. But how will they bring me to Jesus? By breaking through the roof. And what is the roof? The mind, as the summit of our being. Upon this roof there is much earth and tile — that is, earthly deeds; but when all this is cast off, when the power of the mind is broken open and freed from its burden, when I am then let down — that is, when I humble myself (for I must not be puffed up as a result of the lightening of my mind, but after being lightened I am obliged to descend, that is, to humble myself) — then I will be healed and will take up my bed, that is, my body, rousing it to the fulfillment of the commandments. For one must not only rise from sin and recognize one's sin, but also take up the bed — that is, the body — for the doing of good. Then we may also attain to contemplation, so that all our thoughts will say within us: "We have never seen anything like this" — that is, we have never had such understanding as now, having been healed of our paralysis. He who is cleansed from sins truly sees. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:11-12
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Again, He says, Take up thy bed, to prove the greater certainty of the miracle, showing that it is not a mere illusion; and at the same time to show that He not only healed, but gave strength; thus He not only turns away souls from sin, but gives them the power of working out the commandments. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:13
After performing the miracle on the paralytic, the Lord went away to the sea, probably seeking solitude, but the crowd gathers around Him again. Learn, then, that to the degree you flee from glory, it will pursue you; but if you pursue it, it will flee from you. Here the Lord had just withdrawn to the sea, and the people again run after Him. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:13
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or else, after the miracle, He goes to the sea, as if wishing to be alone, but the crowd runs to Him again, that thou mightest learn, that the more thou fliest from glory, the more she herself pursues thee; but if thou followest her, she will fly from thee. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:14-15
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] The Lord passing on from thence called Matthew; wherefore there follows, And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphæus sitting, &c. For he sat at the receipt of custom, either, as is often done, exacting from some, or making up accounts, (λογοπραγῶν apud Theo.) or doing some actions of that sort, which publicans are wont to do in their abodes, yea this man, who was raised on high from this state of life that he might leave all things and follow Christ. Wherefore it goes on, And he saith to him, Follow me, &c. But he who used to plot against others becomes so benevolent, that he invites many persons to eat with him. Wherefore it goes on; And it came to pass, that as Jesus sat at meat in his house. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:14-15
However, He departed from there as well, and along the way He caught Levi-Matthew. He who is now called Levi by Mark is Matthew, for he had two names. Therefore Luke and Mark, concealing his real name, call him Levi. But he himself is not ashamed; on the contrary, he openly says of himself: Jesus saw Matthew the tax collector (Mt. 9:9). So too let us not be ashamed to reveal our sins. Levi was sitting at the tax booth, occupied, as was his duty, either with collecting taxes from someone, or with drawing up accounts, or with something else that tax collectors usually did at their places of business. But now he proved so zealous for Christ that, leaving everything, he followed Him, and in great joy invited many to a meal. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:16-17
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] But the Pharisees blame this, making themselves pure. Whence there follows: And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him eat, &c. Not indeed that they should continue sinners, but be converted to that repentance. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:16-17
And the Pharisees begin to blame the Lord, presenting themselves, of course, as pure people. But the Lord said to this: "I have come to call not the righteous," that is, you who justify yourselves (He says this by way of mocking them), "but sinners," to call them, however, not so that they might remain sinners, but "to repentance," that is, so that they might turn back. "To repentance," He said, lest you think that by calling sinners He does nothing to reform them. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:18
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] For the disciples of John being in an imperfect state, continued in Jewish customs. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:18
John's disciples, being still imperfect, held to Jewish customs. Therefore some of those who came to Christ presented them as an example and blamed Him because His disciples did not fast equally with them. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:19-20
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] He also calls Himself a bridegroom, not only as betrothing to Himself virgin minds, but because the time of His first coming is not a time of sorrow, nor of sadness to believers, neither does it bring with it toil, but rest. For it is without any works of the law, giving rest by baptism, by which we easily obtain salvation without toil. But the sons of the nuptials or of the Bridegroom are the Apostles; because they, by the grace of God, are made worthy of every heavenly blessing, by the grace of God, and partakers of every joy. We must also understand, that every man whose works are good is the son of the Bridegroom; he has the Bridegroom with him, even Christ, and fasts not, that is, does no works of repentance, because he does not sin: but when the Bridegroom is taken away by the man's falling into sin, then he fasts and is penitent, that he may cure his sin. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:19-20
But He said to them: now I, the Bridegroom, am with them, and therefore they ought to rejoice, not fast; but when I am taken from this life, then, being subjected to afflictions, they will both fast and grieve. He calls Himself the "Bridegroom" not only because He betrothed to Himself virgin souls, but also because the time of His first coming is not a time of weeping and sorrow for those who believe in Him, nor a burdensome time, but one that gives us rest through baptism without the works of the law. Indeed, what labor is it to be baptized? And yet in this easy act we find salvation. The "sons of the bridechamber" are the apostles, because they were deemed worthy of the joy of the Lord and were made partakers of every heavenly good and consolation. You may also understand it this way: that every person, when he practices virtue, is a "son of the bridechamber," and as long as he has the Bridegroom Christ with him, he does not fast, that is, he does not perform works of repentance; for why should he repent who does not fall? But when the Bridegroom Christ is taken from him, that is, when he falls into sin, then he begins to fast and repent, in order to heal the sin. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:21-22
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] Or else the disciples are likened to old garments on account of the infirmity of their minds, on which it was not fitting to impose the heavy command of fasting. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:21-22
Just as an "unshrunk," that is, new patch, by its firmness will only tear the old garment if sewn onto it, and just as new wine by its strength will burst old wineskins, so too My disciples have not yet grown strong, and therefore, if we burden them, we will thereby do them harm, since in the weakness of their understanding they are still like an old garment. Thus, one should not impose upon them the heavy commandment of fasting. Or you can also understand it this way: Christ's disciples, being already new people, cannot serve old customs and laws. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:23-26
[(as quoted by Aquinas, AD 1274)] For David, when flying from the face of Saul, went to the Chief Priest, and ate the show-bread, and took away the sword of Goliath, which things had been offered to the Lord. (1 Sam. 21.) But a question has been raised how the Evangelist called Abiathar at this time High Priest, when the Book of Kings calls him Abimelech. Or else, because when they hare rest from their passions, then are they made doctors to lead others to virtue, plucking away from them earthly things. — Catena Aurea by Aquinas
Marcos 2:23-26
The disciples of the Lord plucked the ears of grain, as men accustomed to living no longer under the law. When the Pharisees became indignant at this, Christ silences them by pointing to David, who out of necessity broke the law during the time of the high priest Abiathar. Fleeing from Saul, the prophet David came to this high priest and deceived him, saying that he had been sent by the king on an urgent military matter. There he both ate the showbread and took back the sword of Goliath, which he had once dedicated to God. There were twelve of these loaves; they lay upon the table every day, six on the right and six on the left side of the table. Some ask: why did the evangelist here call the high priest Abiathar, when the Book of Kings names him Ahimelech (1 Sam. 21)? To this one may say that the high priest had two names: Ahimelech and Abiathar. It can also be explained differently, namely: the Book of Kings speaks of Ahimelech, the priest at that time, while the evangelist speaks of Abiathar, the high priest at that time, and therefore their accounts do not contradict one another. The priest on that occasion was Ahimelech, while Abiathar was then the high priest. — Commentary on Mark
Marcos 2:27-28
In the higher sense, understand it thus: Christ's disciples walk on the Sabbath, that is, in the repose of the soul (Sabbath means rest); consequently, when they have attained freedom from the passions and from the assaults of demons, then they make the journey, that is, they become guides for others as well on the path to virtue, plucking up and uprooting all earthly and base illusory growths. For whoever has not first been freed from the passions and disposed himself to a quiet way of life cannot guide others and be a leader for them toward the good. — Commentary on Mark