My vote goes to no. 19, which best shows the outside crowd which had prevented the paralytic from reaching Jesus.
There some neat parallels here to that from John 5 about the paralytic at the Bethesda pool who was unable to enter the pool by himself. Unlike our first man here, who had friends to help, the man at the pool had no one. Jesus rewarded both for their hope and faith.
Excellent observation. I am becoming a connoisseur of artists who think through the story and then present us with a unique view--as you noted.
I appreciate also the parallel you draw to the Bethesda pool paralytic. Indeed, there were many who were carried to Jesus. (Were there no wheelchairs?)
By the way, we are scheduled for the Bethesda pool experience tomorrow. Back-to-back, donchaknow.