Healing Controversies: Both of the healing stories of Luke 5:12–26 have religious implications. The healing of the leper (vv. 12–16) involves the issue of religious purity and impurity (or “clean” vs. “unclean”). The healing of the paralyzed man (vv. 17–26) involves faith and the forgiveness of sins. This healing story is the first of a series of episodes where Jesus encounters religious criticism and opposition. In 6:1–5 Jesus is accused of working on the Sabbath when he and his disciples picked grain to eat, while similar charges are brought for healing the man with the withered hand (6:6–11). At this point the plot begins to thicken as the religious authorities begin considering what to do with Jesus. Thus, Luke is able to make a transition from celebrated healings in chap. 4 to healing…