Some time after he returned to Capernaum; upon the rumour that he was there,

adding this observation, "the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath."

Another time, as he was going through the corn-fields on the sabbath-day, his disciples as they pass'd along began to pluck the ears of corn.

Jesus perceiving their faith, said to the sick of the palsy, son, thy sins are forgiven.

Jesus hearing this, said to them, they that are in health, have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

It was customary for the Pharisees, and the disciples of John, to fast; they came therefore and ask'd him, why do John's disciples, and the Pharisees fast so frequently, and not your disciples?

who finding it impossible to come nigh Him because of the press, uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the cradle wherein the paralytic lay.

and immediately Jesus perceiving by his spirit, that they made these secret reflections, said, why do you entertain such suggestions?

but there were certain of the Scribes sitting there, who were dissatisfied in their own minds, and said to themselves,

is it not as easy to say to the paralytic, thy sins are forgiven: as to say, arise, and take up your bed and walk?

when the Scribes and Pharisees saw him eating with such a crew, they ask'd his disciples, what's the meaning that he is so familiar with people of such a wretched character?

instantly he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, we never saw any thing like this.

'tis I command you, take up thy bed, and go to your home.

so great a company assembled, that there was no room for them in the house, nor even about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

indeed no man ever sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: because the new piece that is patch'd on, draws the old, and rends it still worse.

Jesus answered, can the bridemen fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

so no man pours new wine into old skins, for that would burst them, and then both would be lost: but new wine must be put into new skins.

how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, who was afterwards high-priest, and did eat the shew-bread, giving some of it likewise to the company, though the law allow'd no body to eat of it but the priests.

but he replied, have ye never read what David, and the rest of the company did, when they were press'd with hunger?

but the time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast.

upon which the Pharisees said to him, pray observe how they trespass on the sabbath-day.

Another time as he was by the sea-side, the people came all crowding to him, and he instructed them.

as he passed along, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus, sitting at the custom-house, and said to him, follow me. accordingly he arose and followed him.

then they came and presented to him a paralytic, who had four men to carry him.

at length as Jesus sat at table in Levi's house, several publicans and loose people sat down likewise in company with Jesus, and his disciples: for a good number of them had followed him.

therefore the son of man has a power of dispensing with the law of the sabbath.

however, to let you see that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, rise, said he, to the sick of the palsy,

why doth this man speak such blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God?