came only to cavil3. Our Lord, however, neither in- timidated nor incensed, proceeded in his work ; and took occasion even from their cavils to display more eminently his power and glory. Being accused of blasphemy, he confirmed his word by his works, and multiplied his mercies to some as the means of con- vincing others.
The particular circumstances referred to in the text lead us to consider, I. The authority he exercised —
Whatever miracles our Lord performed, he wrought
them by his own power. A man was brought to him
to be healed of the palsy —
[So afflicted was the man, that he was deprived of all use of his limbs. His friends, who bore him on a bed, or couch, could not get access to Jesus b. They would not however relax their endeavours to obtain a cure. They went by another way to the top of the house, and broke open the lattice, and then let the man down into the midst of the room where Jesus wasc. Nor did Jesus take offence at his intrusion, as though he were an unwelcome guest. He, on the contrary, beheld their soli- citude with approbation, and richly recompensed " their faith," which had urged them to such benevolent exertions. We read not indeed of any particular request made by the man or his friends ; but the very sight of such misery was sufficient to call forth our Lord's compassion.]
Jesus healed not his disorder, but authoritatively forgave his sin —
[All that the man thought of was, a restoration to bodily health ; but the divine Physician in an instant healed his soul.
a Luke v. 17. b ver. 3, 4.
c Their houses were scarcely ever above one or two stories high. Their roofs were flat, and guarded on every side with a battlement or balustrade, Deut. xxii. 8 ; thither the inhabitants used to retire for exercise, 2 Sam. xi. 2 ; for conversation, Matt. x. 27 ; for meditation and prayer, Acts x. 9. There were two ways of access to the top ; one from the inside, by a lattice or trap-door, 2 Kings i. 2. the other by steps on the outside, Mark xiii. 15. Having easily ascended to the top, they forced open (iZopvfavTEQ, ver. 4.) the lattice which was fastened within, and let down the man through the tiling (Luke v. 19.) with which the roof was paved on all sides of the lattice. Some explain the matter somewhat differently. See Doddridge, sect. 45. note (e.)