The story about the healing of the paralytic brings us back to Capernaum, the place that served as the point of departure for a journey to many cities (Mark 1:21, Mark 1:35, Mark 1:39).

Mark does not specify the time that has passed. It must have been less than a year: Jesus returned to the city after some days (Mark 2:1). But the period must have been more than a few days. The circular tour must have taken weeks, if not months and the healing of the paralytic took place after the tour. This is apparent from a small detail. The flood of people was so great that it became impossible for Jesus to publicly enter a city. Instead, he stayed in desolate places, where the people came to see him (Mark 1:45). Jesus’ return to Capernaum apparently happened during this time. For he did not overtly enter his own city either. No one saw him come; people only heard that he had come home. That is why the expression di ’hèmeroon is given an indefinite translation, after some days.¹