Mark 2:1

Again he entered. [The Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof, Mark 2:1–12=Matt. 9:2–8=Luke 5:17–26. Major comment: Mark. See Early Galilean Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord; on miracles pp. 208–213.] Or, “he returned” (RSV). Mark characteristically uses the Greek word palin, “again,” in referring to places he has mentioned previously, or to similar circumstances (see chs. 2:13; 3:1, 20; 4:1; 5:21; 8:13). By way of contrast, Matthew commonly uses palin to introduce a new section of his narrative. Both Matthew and Mark note the fact that Jesus had recently returned from His first tour through the towns and villages of Galilee (see Matt. 9:1). Matthew adds the information that Christ’s return to Capernaum was by boat. Evidently either His first tour ended on the eastern shore of the Lake of Galilee, or He had retired to that region when the publicity given Him by the healed leper led to a temporary withdrawal from public ministry (see on Mark 1:45).

Capernaum. See on Matt. 4:13. Matthew refers to Capernaum as Christ’s “own city”; that is, the headquarters from which He conducted His Galilean ministry and which He seems to have considered His home.

After some days. Gr. di’ hēmerōn, “after days.” This phrase is taken by some to refer to the whole period of Jesus’ First Galilean Tour, between the time of His departure from Capernaum (ch. 1:35–38) and His return to that city. Inasmuch, however, as that tour probably extended over a number of weeks, it may be more appropriate to understand the “days” here as being those during which Jesus retreated into the desert because of the crowds, when He “could no longer openly enter a town” (ch. 1:45, RSV). Thus understood, the period in question would be that between the events narrated at the end of ch. 1 and those at the beginning of ch. 2.

It was noised. Literally, “It was heard.”

That. Gr. hoti, “that,” which implies that the following words, literally, “he is in the house,” are a direct quotation of what was being reported by people generally.

In the house. Only Mark specifically mentions this fact, as is true of numerous details of the narrative that the other synoptists omit. This was equivalent to saying “at home,” a reference without doubt to the home of Peter (see on ch. 1:29).