Matthew 9:4

The press. That is, the throng of people.

Uncovered the roof. Literally, “unroofed the roof.” Luke (ch. 5:19) records that they “let him down through the tiling.” As is common in the Middle East, this house doubtless had a flat roof, with a stairway or ladder on the outside which gave access to it from the courtyard below (see Acts 10:9; cf. on Deut. 22:8). Apparently the roof was made by laying tiles over the rafters.

This unusual method of reaching Jesus was the desperate suggestion of the paralytic himself, who feared that, though now so close to Jesus, he might yet lose his opportunity (see DA 268). The way in which Jesus had left Capernaum so unexpectedly (ch. 1:37, 38), had remained away for several weeks, and finally had secluded Himself in the desert (ch. 1:45), probably added to the desperation of this man, who faced the prospect of an early death (see DA 267).

Bed. Gr. krabbatos, a poor man’s “couch,” or “bed.” The aide pallet on which the man lay was probably little more than a grass mat or a padded quilt.