Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?

Luke 5:17-26 – Who Can Forgive Sins?

|| Matthew 9:1-8;[1] Mark 2:1-12[2]

LK5:17 Now it occurred during those days when Jesus was teaching some Pharisees and teachers of the Law were sitting around – for they had arrived from every village in Galilee and Judea, including Jerusalem – and YHWH’s power was with him to heal.[3] LK5:18 And, look, men approached carrying a paralyzed person on a pallet and they sought a way to place him before Jesus. LK5:19 When they could not find a way to carry him through the crowds they went on to the roof and through the tiles they lowered him on the pallet among them right in front of Jesus. LK5:20 Now when Jesus observed their faith, he said: “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” LK5:21 Then the Bible Copyists[4] and Pharisees began to discuss this among themselves: “Who is this person to speak such blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except The God Himself?”[5] LK5:22 When Jesus realized their thinking he responded to them: “Why do you reason this way in your hearts? LK5:23 Which is easier to say? ‘Your sins have been forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk.’ LK5:24 However, so that you will realize that the ‘Son of Humankind’[6] [Daniel 7:13] has authority on earth to forgive sins[7] – Jesus said to the paralyzed man – I tell you: rise, pick up your pallet, and return to your house.” LK5:25 And instantly the man rose before them all, picked up the pallet upon which he lay, and departed to his house giving glory to The God. LK5:26 So the crowd was overcome in ecstasy[8] and they also began to glorify The God, and filled with fear they said: “We have seen strange things[9] this day!”

[1] Matthew 9:1-8: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 2:1-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] YHWH’s power was with him to heal: Or, the power of the Lord was present to heal them. The Greek is DYNAMIS KYRIOU [power of Lord]. The “Lord” here is The God of Jesus. The Nazarene’s power to heal did not originate from himself but from his Father.

[4] Bible Copyists: Or, scribes, Bible scholars. The Greek is GRAMMATEIS, the Hebrew Sopherim. They were also teachers and highly respected. They also acted as public notaries or secretaries.

[5] Who is able to forgive sins except The God Himself: Or, but God alone. This is a Jewish assertion and not to be used as an argument that Jesus was actually God. In these accounts the Nazarene states that he has received such authority from God, and the crowds draw this same conclusion. That others may receive such authority is seen at John 20:23.

[6] Son of Humankind: This is the first occurrence of two dozen of the designation drawn from Daniel 7:13.

[7] The Son of Humankind has authority on earth to forgive sins: Jesus uses the designation “Son of Man” as a general title for himself as Messiah. However, he also uses the name for himself before he experienced a human birth. Note John 6:62. The language here could be understood to refer to his pre-existence. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on the subject pre-existence in the gospel of John as well as in Biblical Articles.

[8] Ecstasy: Or, amazed, astonished, dumbfounded. The Greek is ECSTASIS.

[9] Strange things: Or, wonders, unaccountable things, marvelous things, incredible. The Greek is PARADOXA.

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Preceding

1. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:1-11 – Fishermen Follow Jesus
2. Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy

Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy

Luke 5:12-16 – Healing a Leper and Then Privacy

|| Matthew 8:1-4;[1] Mark 1:40-45[2]

LK5:12 Now it happened while Jesus was visiting one of the villages, look, there was a man full of leprosy.[3] When he saw Jesus he fell on his face before him and begged: “Master, if you are willing and able cleanse me!” LK5:13 Now reaching out his hand and touching the man, Jesus said: “I want to. Be cleansed.” And instantly the leprosy left him. LK5:14 Then Jesus gave him orders: “Do not to tell anyone, but leave and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your cleansing as Moses commanded[4] as a testimony to them.”[5] LK5:15 Despite this the former leper spread the word even more about Jesus, and many crowds gathered to listen to Jesus and to be healed from their sicknesses. LK5:16 But, Jesus withdrew into wilderness areas[6] and continued in prayer.

[1] Matthew 8:1-4: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Mark 1:40-45: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

[3] Full of leprosy: Doctor Luke’s diagnosis.

[4] As Moses commanded: This was a considerable offering. [Leviticus 14:10, 20]

[5] As a testimony to them: The Jewish hierarchy are watching Jesus for a violation of the Law of Moses. Jesus did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it.

[6] Withdrew into wilderness areas: Or, NAS: often slip away; NEB: from time to time he would withdraw; BER: habitually withdrew; KNX: he would steal away from them. Our Lord was also a private person who sought his solitude for quiet prayers to his Father. It is an excellent lesson for people burdened with the pressures of life.

 

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Preceding

Luke 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Luke 5:1-11 – Fishermen Follow Jesus

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:7-12 – Crowds Follow Jesus

Mark 3:7-12 – Crowds Follow Jesus

|| Matthew 12:15, 16;[1] Luke 6:17-19

MK3:7 Now Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the seashore and a large crowd from Galilee and from Judea followed him. MK3:8 And because they had heard such great things about Jesus numerous people from Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond the Jordan, and others from Tyre and Sidon – all these came to him. MK3:9 Jesus told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crush of the crowd. MK3:10 For Jesus had healed so many sick people that the crowds pressed in upon him just to touch him. MK3:11 When [people possessed by] unclean demons saw him they fell down at his feet and cried aloud: “You are the Son of the God!”[2] MK3:12 So Jesus strictly commanded them not to reveal who he was.

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[1] Matthew 12:15, 16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] You are the Son of the God: Some see this has a reference to Christ’s pre-existence. [Proverbs 8:22-30]

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Preceding

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:1-6 – A Withered Hand Cured on the Sabbath

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Related

1. Can You Imagine?
2. Mark 3: Acknowledge the Lord

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:1-6 – A Withered Hand Cured on the Sabbath

CHAPTER THREE:
SABBATH GOODNESS, APOSTLES, AND RELATIVES

[“He is Crazy”]
Key word: Associations

Mark 3:1-6 – A Withered Hand Cured on the Sabbath

|| Matthew 12:9-14;[1] Luke 6:6-11

MK3:1 Now Jesus entered the synagogue again and there was a man with a withered hand. MK3:2 Everyone was closely watching Jesus to see if he would heal on the Sabbath so that they might bring a charge against him. MK3:3 Then Jesus told the man with the withered hand: “Rise and approach!”

MK3:4 Now Jesus asked the audience: “Is it lawful to do good or harm on the Sabbath? To save a life, or to kill it?” But, everyone remained silent and gave no answer. MK3:5 Then Jesus looked angrily over the whole audience,[2] grieved at the hardness of their hearts.[3] So he said to the man: “Stretch out your hand!” And the man reached out his hand and it was completely restored.

MK3:6 Now the Pharisees walked out of the synagogue and went straight to a consultation with the Herodians[4] in order to plot against Jesus.

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[1] Matthew 12:9-14: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Jesus looked angrily over the whole audience: Or, an angry glance. The Greek word is ORGES and means “wrath.”

[3] Hardness of their hearts: Or, obstinacy, minds were closed, callousness, indifference to human need.

[4] Herodians: See notes on Matthew 22:16. [Mark 12:13]

 

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Preceding

Mark 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Two

Matthew 12:9-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Is It Lawful to Cure on the Sabbath?

Matthew 16:5-12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Watch Out for the Leaven of False Teaching

Matthew 22:15-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Caesar’s Things and God’s Things

A Look of the Expositor Bible at The Ordeal of questions {Matthew 22:15-46 }

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Additional reading

1. Thought for today in CoViD times: He looked round about (Peter Banyard)

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Related

1. Do Good or Do Evil?

2. 2nd week of ordinary time cycle- 1 – Mark 3.1-6

3. Jesus Asked The Man With The Withered Hand To Do Something Impossible To Be Healed

Mark 2 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 2:1-12 – Jesus Preaching and Healing at Home

CHAPTER TWO:
A PARALYTIC HEALED, A TAXMAN CALLED,
AND PHARISEES

[“Calling Sinners”]
Key word: Authority

Mark 2:1-12 – Jesus Preaching and Healing at Home

|| Matthew 9:1-8;[1] Luke 5:17-26

MK2:1 Some days later Jesus entered into Capernaum again and soon everyone realized that he was at his own residence.[2] MK2:2 Soon many began to gather so that there was no room to even welcome others because the door was completely blocked. Jesus began to preach the word to them. MK2:3 And then four men carried a paralyzed man trying to approach Jesus. MK2:4 However, when they could not get near to the house because of the crowd they removed part of the roof of his house. After they had made an opening they began to lower the stretcher on which the paralytic lay. MK2:5 Now when Jesus saw their deep conviction, he said to the paralytic: “Child, your sins are forgiven!” MK2:6 But, present in the audience were certain Bible Copyists and they began to reason in their hearts: MK2:7 “Why does this man speak blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but the God alone?”[3] MK2:8 Instantly Jesus was aware in his spiritual perception that they were thinking this way. He then asked them: “Why do you reason this way in your hearts? MK2:9 Which is easier to say to this paralytic? ‘Your sins are forgiven?’ Or, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and walk!’ MK2:10 However, so that you may be aware the Son of Humankind[4] [Daniel 7:13] has been given authority on earth to forgive sins… (turning to the paralytic he said…) MK2:11 I tell you, [Child], Get up, take your stretcher, and return to your home.” MK2:12 Instantly, the paralytic bounced to his feet, and taking his stretcher he walked away in view of them all. The whole crowd was awe-struck and began to glorify the God, saying: “We have never seen anything like this!”

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[1] Matthew 9:1-8: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] At his own residence: Or, in the house, at home; PME: he was in somebody’s house.

[3] Who can forgive sins but the God alone: Some misunderstand this to mean Jesus was in fact God. However, compare the other accounts and see the Nazarene’s answer to this.

[4] Son of Humankind: Jesus borrows from Daniel 7:13. In Mark Jesus uses the designation over a dozen times.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1 – Review Questions on Chapter One

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Related

1. To Be Bold
2. Was it a stupid question?
3. Friday, Jan 15, 2021 Gospel (Mk 2:1-12)
4. We Never Saw Anything Like This!
5. But Jesus, Seeing their faith, says to the Paralytic, Child, Thy Sins are forgiven Thee. (Mark 2:5)
6. Jesus Heals the Paralytic
7. From Miracles to the Cross