Reading for January 24th

Read Mark 2.1-17
In 2.1-12 the paralytic
In verse 5 granting forgiveness of sins was a divine prerogative.
In verse 9 the saying appears in a different context in Jn 5.8.
In verse 10 the title Son of Man has both a human (mortal) (Ezek 37.3) and superhuman (Dan 7.13-14, 1 Enoch 37-71) connotations.
Enigmatic like the parables, the title requires hearers to determine the meaning for themselves.
In 2.13-17 tax collectors and sinners.
Levi is called Matthew in Mt 9.9.
Tax collectors were despised as Roman collaborators and extortionists.
Sinners are those who are deliberately place themselves apart from observance of Torah; Mark does not see all people as in a sinful state.
In verse 16 Pharisees were a branch of Judaism dedicated to interpreting biblical law, likely including the extension of the sanctity of the Temple to the home (including the table); rivals of the early followers of Jesus, they are frequently negatively depicted in Christian texts.
Comments or questions..