What does it mean that Jesus saw their faith in Mark 2:5?

Early in Jesus’ public ministry, He entered the town of Capernaum in the region of Galilee and taught an important lesson about faith. Many in the town gathered inside a house to hear Jesus preach. The crowd was so large that a group of friends had to lower a paralyzed man through the roof to reach Jesus. Mark writes that “when Jesus saw their faith,” He declared the man’s sins forgiven (Mark 2:5). The fact that Jesus “saw” their faith means He recognized the genuineness of it through their actions.

The word translated “saw” in Mark 2:5 comes from the Greek word horao. It commonly denotes physical sight in the New Testament but can also refer to perception or discernment. In Mark 2:5, both meanings are evident: Jesus physically saw the four men lowering their friend through the roof, and in that act He discerned the authenticity of their faith.

Faith itself is invisible because it consists of belief and trust, which are intangible realities. When a person has faith in Jesus, he or she believes in who He is and trusts in what He has done. However, the Bible makes it clear that genuine faith reveals itself through actions. James makes this point: “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:17–18). Because of this, a person’s actions can indicate whether his faith is genuine.

Other Bible verses confirm the relationship between faith and good works. For instance, James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Jesus made a similar point in the Sermon on the Mount when He contrasted two home builders. He described the person with genuine faith as one who hears and acts: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). On the other hand, Jesus described the person without genuine faith as one who hears but does not act: “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand” (Matthew 7:26).

Though unseen, faith becomes visible through outward actions, just as other biblical virtues do. For example, love is invisible, but it expresses itself in action. As 1 John 3:18 says, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Other virtues, such as hope, peace, joy, and humility, share this same characteristic: they exist inwardly but are expressed outwardly.

This principle is clearly seen in the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man in Capernaum. When Jesus saw the men’s faith, He responded by declaring the man’s sins forgiven. The link between faith and forgiveness is evident throughout the New Testament. For instance, Peter said about Jesus, “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43). In other words, truly knowing God involves recognizing oneself as a sinner and receiving His forgiveness. That’s why, when Jesus saw faith expressed through action, He declared the man’s sins forgiven and restored him to a right relationship with God, even before restoring his health.

The writer of Hebrews teaches that faith is necessary to be in right standing with God. He explains, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). On that day in Capernaum, Jesus witnessed genuine faith expressed through action, and it pleased Him.