Mark 2:3 And they come to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. "Borne of four." The charities of the rich are published far and wide, and all men talk of them. Let us turn from them to think for a little of the charities of the poor. But how do we know that the paralytic in this story belonged to the poor? From St. Mark. When he says (Mark 2:4) "They let down the bed," he employs a different word for bed from St. Matthew, viz., the Greek form of the Latin grabatus, the pallet or camp bed used by the poor (Cf. John 5:8; Acts 5:15; Acts 9:33). This is one of those graphic touches by which he so often gives additional interest and pictorial vividness to his narrative. (Cf. in the context, "Capernaum," ver. 1, "about the door," ver. 2, "broken it up," ver. 4, "son," ver. 5, and text, "borne of four.") The story suggests as to the charities of the poor — I. THAT THEY GENERALLY SPRING FROM NEIGHBOURHOOD — "Four." Who were they, friends or kinsfolk? Most probably neighbours. There is something sacred in neighbourhood. It is an ordinance of God, and the source of countless kindnesses and sweet humanities. II. THAT THEY ARE OFTEN NAMELESS — "Four." The deed of love is chronicled, but nothing is said to identify the doers. So of thousands. Their simple, unostentatious charities are unnamed and unhonoured. But their record is on high. III. THAT THEY ARE CALLED FORTH IN CASES OF GREAT DISTRESS — "Palsy," Type of many. No place exempt from trouble. Multitudes of the poor suffer grievously. IV. THAT THEY ARE CHARACTERIZED BY MUCH DISINTERESTEDNESS AND GENEROSITY. Of the charities of the poor it may be said, as Spenser says of the angels, that they are "all for love and nothing for reward." V. THAT THEY ARE PERSONALLY EXERCISED. Most of the rich act by proxy. How different with the poor. They act for themselves. VI. THAT THEY REACH THEIR HIGHEST FORM WHEN THEY ARE THE MEANS OF BRINGING SOULS TO CHRIST. VII. THAT THEY SHALL HAVE A GREAT REWARD. Happy day for this poor man and his friends. (W. Forsyth, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. |
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