Which event demonstrates Jesus’ authority to forgive sins before healing a paralytic?

• A. The healing of the centurion's servant
• B. The healing of Jairus' daughter
• C. The healing of the man with the withered hand
• D. The healing of the paralytic (forgiveness of sins) in Mark 2

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that Jesus’ authority to forgive sins is shown by him claiming forgiveness first and then backing it up with a healing sign. In Mark 2, a paralytic is brought to Jesus; Jesus first pronounces that the man’s sins are forgiven. This direct claim to forgive sins is significant because forgiveness is understood as something only God can do, so Jesus’ authority here goes beyond physical healing. To prove that his authority over sins is real, he then heals the man—telling him to rise, take up his bed, and go home—demonstrating that he has power over both spiritual and physical afflictions. Other healing stories show Jesus’ power to heal, even over significant conditions, but they do not foreground forgiveness of sins as the initial act in that same way. So the Mark 2 paralytic incident is the example where forgiveness of sins is declared first and then confirmed through healing.