"THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

Chapter Two

Returning to Capernaum, Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins by healing a paralytic (1-12). After teaching by the sea, Jesus called Levi (Matthew) to follow Him and later dined at his house with tax collectors and sinners (13-17). Jesus is questioned about fasting by disciples of both John and the Pharisees (18-22), and later challenged by the Pharisees because His disciples plucked grain to eat on the Sabbath (23-28).

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  1. What are the main points of this chapter?
    - Jesus forgives and heals a paralytic - Mk 2:1-12
    - The call of Levi (Matthew) and the feast at his house - Mk 2:13-17
    - Jesus questioned about fasting and the Sabbath - Mk 2:18-28
  2. Where did Jesus return following his ministry throughout Galilee? (1)
    - To Capernaum, from where He had begun (cf. Mk 1:21)
  3. How did Jesus demonstrate His power to forgive sins? (9-11)
    - By healing a man who was paralyzed
  4. What was the reaction following the healing of the paralytic? (12)
    - All were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
  5. Who did Jesus call to follow Him? What immediately followed? (14-15)
    - Levi, also known as Matthew (cf. Mt 9:9); a feast at Levi's house
  6. How did Jesus justify eating with tax collectors and sinners? (16-17)
    - "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick"
    - "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance"
  7. What did Jesus teach about His disciples fasting? (19-22)
    - The time was not right for them to fast; but the time for fasting would come
    - A time for change was nigh ("New wine must be put in new wineskins")
  8. What did the disciples of Jesus do that was challenged by the Pharisees? (23-24)
    - They were plucking heads of grain on the Sabbath
  9. What three arguments did Jesus make in defense of His disciples? (25-28)
    - The example of David and his men eating the showbread
    - The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath
    - The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath