Mark 2

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. Mark 2:3–12

Jesus forgives a paralyzed man's sins, and the scribes object that only God can forgive sins. Without meaning to, they state the truth: Jesus proves He has God's power to forgive by healing the man in front of them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 9:2-8 — Matthew's account of the palsied man
• a parallel account in Luke 5:18-26 — Luke's account
• alludes to Isaiah 43:25 — I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions (Jehovah speaking)

Ministry of Christ

And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. Mark 2:13–14

Jesus calls a tax collector with two words, Follow me, and Levi leaves everything to follow.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 9:9 — The call of Matthew
• a parallel account in Luke 5:27-28 — Luke's account

Physician

Physician — the healer of souls

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. Mark 2:15–17

Criticized for eating with sinners, Jesus compares Himself to a physician who goes to the sick. He came to heal and call sinners to repentance, which includes all of us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 9:12-13 — Matthew's account
• a parallel account in Luke 5:31-32 — Luke's account
• the same title in Luke 4:23 — Physician, heal thyself

Bridegroom

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? Mark 2:18–20

Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom, the role Jehovah claims toward Israel in the Old Testament. He also hints at His death: the Bridegroom will be taken away.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 9:15 — Matthew's account
• alludes to Isaiah 62:5 — As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee
• the same title in John 3:29 — John the Baptist: He that hath the bride is the bridegroom
• the same title in Matthew 25:1-13 — The parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom

David as a Type of Christ

And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? Mark 2:25–26

Jesus defends His disciples by pointing to David, the anointed but not-yet-crowned king who fed his hungry men with holy bread. Jesus, the Son of David, stands in that same role with His followers.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• typified by 1 Samuel 21:1-6 — David eats the hallowed bread
• a parallel account in Matthew 12:3-6 — Matthew adds: in this place is one greater than the temple

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Mark 2:27–28

Jesus declares that He is Lord of the sabbath. The Jehovah who gave the sabbath at Sinai is the one now standing among them, so He has the right to say what it is for.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 12:8 — The Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day
• alludes to Exodus 31:13 — My sabbaths ye shall keep... that ye may know that I am the LORD