How did the paralytic's friends get him to Jesus past the crowd?

Answer: Lowered him through the roof

Unable to get through the crowd, the four men uncovered the roof above Jesus, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.

“Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men. Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat.”— Mark 2:3-4 (BSB)