The actions of those who bring the paralytic to Jesus reveal a link with the earlier healing of a paralytic: the servant of the centurion (Matthew 8:6). Jesus had then praised the faith of a Gentile, but now his healings have awakened faith in the Jewish city of Capernaum. Jesus recognizes the friends’ actions as the fruit of their faith—even carrying the paralytic to Jesus in confidence that he will be healed.
By highlighting that the paralytic was brought to Jesus (Matthew 9:2), the evangelist draws an implicit connection with another paralytic in Capernaum, the servant of the centurion, whom Jesus had healed some time ago (Matthew 8:6). Back then, the Lord lamented that he had not encountered such great faith in Israel as that which the centurion displayed. Now, however, we see the fruits of that first miraculous healing: the awakening of more faith in the city of Capernaum. When a new case involving a paralyzing attack occurs, people know where to find healing. In this particular case the friends of the paralytic do not call on Jesus to come to the house of the patient, but rather take him to Jesus, because they are confident that he will be healed. Jesus recognizes their actions as a fruit of their faith. When compared to the prior healing of a paralytic—the servant of the centurion— this demonstrates not only an increase in faith, but also an increase in grace. Now Jesus also forgives sins. The evangelist Matthew places all emphasis on the latter by means of his sober account.1 .
2 Et voici, on lui amena un paralytique couché sur un lit. Jésus, voyant leur foi, dit au paralytique: Prends courage, mon enfant, tes péchés sont pardonnés.