| Barnes' Notes on the Bible See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 9:1-7. Luke 5:17 On a certain day - The time and place are not particularly mentioned here, but from Matthew 9:1 it seems it was at Capernaum.
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleOn a certain day - This was when he was at Capernaum. See Mark 2:1. The power of the Lord - Δυναμις Κυριου The mighty or miraculous power of the Lord, i.e. of Jesus, was there to heal them - as many as were diseased either in body or soul. Where the teaching of Christ is, there also is the power of Christ to redeem and save.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd it came to pass on a certain day,.... When he was at Capernaum, as appears from Mark 2:1 As he was teaching: in the house where such numbers were gathered together, to hear the word of God preached by him, that there was not room for them, neither within the house, nor about the door, Mark 2:2 That there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by; who were sometimes called Scribes, and sometimes lawyers, and were generally of the sect of the Pharisees: which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: having heard much of his doctrine and miracles, they came from all parts to watch and observe him, and to take all opportunities and advantages against him, that they might expose him to the people: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them; not the Pharisees and doctors of the law, who did not come to be healed by him, either in body or mind; but the multitude, some of whom came to hear his doctrine, and others to be healed of their infirmities, Luke 5:15. The Persic version reads the words thus, "and from all the villages of Galilee, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, multitudes came, and the power of God was present to heal them."
Vincent's Word StudiesHe was teaching The pronoun has a slightly emphatic force: he as distinguished from the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Doctors of the law (νομοδιδάσκαλοι) Only in Luke and 1 Timothy 1:7. Luke often uses νομικὸς, conversant with the law, but in the other word the element of teaching is emphasized, probably in intentional contrast with Christ's teaching. Judaea and Jerusalem The Rabbinical writers divided Judaea proper into three parts - mountain, sea-shore, and valley - Jerusalem being regarded as a separate district. "Only one intimately acquainted with the state of matters at the time, would, with the Rabbis, have distinguished Jerusalem as a district separate from all the rest of Judaea, as Luke markedly does on several occasions (Acts 1:8; Acts 10:39)" (Edersheim, "Jewish Social Life"). Was present to heal them The A. V. follows the reading, αὐτούς, them; i.e., the sufferers who were present, referring back to Luke 5:15. The best texts, however, read αὐτόν, him, referring to Christ, and meaning was present that he should heal; i.e., in aid of his healing. So Rev.
Geneva Study Bible{4} And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord {c} was present to heal them. (4) Christ, in healing him that was sick from paralysis, shows the cause of all diseases, and the remedy. (c) The mighty power of Christ's Godhead showed itself in him at that time.
People's New Testament 5:17-26 Pharisees and doctors of the law. See notes on Mt 9:2-8 Mr 2:1-12.
Wesley's Notes 5:17 Sitting by - As being more honourable than the bulk of the congregation, who stood. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them - To heal the sickness of their souls, as well as all bodily diseases.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible CommentaryLu 5:17-26. Paralytic Healed. (See on [1574]Mt 9:1-8). 17. Pharisees and doctors . sitting by-the highest testimony yet borne to our Lord's growing influence, and the necessity increasingly felt by the ecclesiastics throughout the country of coming to some definite judgment regarding Him. power of the Lord . present-with Jesus. to heal them-the sick people.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary5:17-26 How many are there in our assemblies, where the gospel is preached, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told them, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the paralytic. In applying to Christ, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith, and is very pleasing to Christ, and prevailing with him. Give us, Lord, the same kind of faith with respect to thy ability and willingness to heal our souls. Give us to desire the pardon of sin more than any earthly blessing, or life itself. Enable us to believe thy power to forgive sins; then will our souls cheerfully arise and go where thou pleasest. | 
