Oil on Canvas 150cm x 300cm. 2018
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The ParalyticThe Martinikerk (St. Martin Church) in Groningen, the Netherlands, commissioned Egbert Modderman to create a series of paintings depicting "Compassion". Egbert chose the story from Matthew 9 in which four men carried a paralytic to Jesus to be healed.
The painting (oil on canvas) is 300cm x 150cm (10' x 5') and the first of a series of seven. The paintings will be on permanent display in the Martinikerk. |
The Story behind the Painting
Matthew 9: 1-8
When Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Some men came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic, carried by four of them.
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug through the roof making an opening above Jesus, and lowered the mat with the paralyzed man.
Comment: In ancient Israel, physical infirmities were considered God’s punishment for sin committed by the inflicted person or by previous generations. (The implication is that healthy persons are righteous in the eyes of God).
So, the first thought of some of the Pharisees present there was to associate the paralytic with a sinful life. Jesus knew in his spirit what they were thinking in their hearts.
Jesus addresses this erroneous thinking, and seeing the faith of the four friends, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Upon which the Pharisees were thinking to themselves, “He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up. Take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Comment: Jesus’ point was that forgiving sins and healing are both impossible for people, yet equally easy for God.
Matthew 9: 1-8
When Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.
Some men came, bringing to Jesus a paralytic, carried by four of them.
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they dug through the roof making an opening above Jesus, and lowered the mat with the paralyzed man.
Comment: In ancient Israel, physical infirmities were considered God’s punishment for sin committed by the inflicted person or by previous generations. (The implication is that healthy persons are righteous in the eyes of God).
So, the first thought of some of the Pharisees present there was to associate the paralytic with a sinful life. Jesus knew in his spirit what they were thinking in their hearts.
Jesus addresses this erroneous thinking, and seeing the faith of the four friends, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Upon which the Pharisees were thinking to themselves, “He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up. Take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”
Comment: Jesus’ point was that forgiving sins and healing are both impossible for people, yet equally easy for God.