Verse 20
The zeal with which the four friends of the paralytic sought to bring him into Jesus’ presence demonstrated their faith, namely, their belief that Jesus could heal him. However the sick man also appears to have had faith in Jesus or he would not have permitted his friends to do what they did. Perhaps Luke did not mention the paralytic’s faith explicitly because to do so might have detracted from his emphasis on Jesus’ power. God responds to the faith of others when they bring friends in need to Him in prayer as well as in person.
". . . it is impossible to think that the man’s sins were forgiven if he had no faith of his own." [Note: Morris, p. 117.]
We should not regard physical healing and spiritual forgiveness as an "either or" proposition. Rather true forgiveness includes full restoration in every area of life. Jesus graciously did "both and" for this man, though often God does not restore people to complete physical health, some not until after death.
"Miracle becomes a metaphor for salvation. All Jesus’ miracles should be seen in this light." [Note: Bock, "A Theology . . .," p. 126.]
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