See on v. 10. Affliction had given him time for reflection, and he had come to realize that his own sins were responsible for his suffering. It was to these sins, which now weighed so heavily on his mind, that Jesus referred. The paralytic came seeking for health of soul as well as for healing of body (see DA 267, 268). He was physically helpless and spiritually hopeless, until he presented his case to Jesus, who provided both help and hope. See on John 9:2.

 Gr. teknon, literally, “child.” When used in an address as here, it means “my child,” “my son.” Inasmuch as his disease had come upon him as the direct result of profligate living (DA 267), it would seem that his story must have been much like that of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:13, 14). The same had apparently been true in the case of the paralytic healed at Bethesda a few months previously (see John 5:14).

 That is, of the four stretcher bearers and the paralytic. Their tearing of a hole through the roof spoke eloquently of their urgent sense of need, and of their faith that only Jesus could satisfy it. Such consciousness of need and such faith are essential before the healing power of Jesus can be applied to either body or soul (see on Luke 5:8).