Mark was at Peter's house, a large, nice home, for today's passage. He's among family when the paralytic is brought through the roof.

In 2 Kings 13:20-21, there's a very similar story of healing in the Old Testament, where a dead man is revived after his body touches the dead body of Elisha.

Even this early in Mark, the story of the paralytic establishes Jesus' authority over spiritual and physical death.

Jesus isn't upset over the damage to the house, and is pleased with the faith of the men and the paralytic. His priority is on the life of the paralytic, on the spiritual, not on the physical structure of the house.

When he forgives the man's sins, the scribes believe he's violating God's word, committing blasphemy, punishable by death. They miss that he IS God! The forgiveness and healing are related: the healing is proof to the unbelievers that Jesus' forgiveness is real and valid.

"The Son of Man" (Jesus' favorite term for himself) comes with authority. This reference is understood by the scribes, and is a bold claim. He is the second Adam, the perfect version of man, undefiled, with victory and authority over the garden from which Adam was banished!