The usual terse narrative of Mark veers in an uncharacteristically detailed and complex direction in today's gospel text. What begins as a dramatic healing miracle story morphs into a controversial confrontation between Jesus and the scribes as they level the serious charge of blasphemy against him.

Mark's opening words in this week's pericope recall the notoriety Jesus had experienced in Galilee. Because the healed leper proclaimed Jesus' miraculous healing freely, the crowds made it impossible for Jesus to go into town openly. It's after this massive and impressive popularity that Jesus returns to Capernaum. But his presence is soon reported throughout the town. The crowds are no longer satisfied with waiting for Jesus to appear. They gather at his home (most probably Peter's family res…