and soul (healing and forgiveness). We readily recognize one need but not the other. Note the various concerns of the people present at this event. Jesus is concerned about soul and body; the four men and their paralyzed friend are concerned about his health, and the scribes are concerned about a theological point. Jesus’ pronouncement about the forgiveness of the man’s sins catches us all off guard. Note that it is a statement of fact. Jesus does not say, “I forgive your sins,” but, “Your sins are