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

Matthew 18:18-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Authority of Two or Three

Matthew 18:18-20 – The Authority of Two or Three

MT18:18 “I tell you[1] [apostles] this truth: Whatever you [apostles] bind on earth will be bound in heaven,[2] and whatever you release[3] on earth will be released in heaven. MT18:19 Again, I tell you [apostles][4] this truth: If two of you might agree about a matter on earth[5] it will occur just as you request[6] because of my heavenly Father. MT18:20 For where ever two or three of you are gathered together[7] in my name,[8] there I am among them.”[9]

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[1] I tell you: The “you” is plural and indicates Jesus is speaking to the apostles. What follows is directed to these disciples and not necessarily a blanket statement regarding all Christians.

[2] Bind on earth will be bound in heaven: The phrase may involve the sin of the brother under discussion. If two or three (of the apostles) agree on a certain action against a wrongdoer, then it becomes so. An example of binding something on earth might be the appointment of Matthias to take the office of Judas (Acts 1:23-26). The Greek grammar may allow, “already bound.. already loosed.”

[3] Whatever you release: The Greek is LYSETE and may be rendered “loose.” The idea may infer forgiveness. Compare notes on Matthew 16:19. There the context deals with the Peter’s keys. If these be viewed as three and relate to the Jews, Samaritans, and Non-Jews, then as long as the door to the Samaritans and Non-Jews remains closed and locked, it is so in heaven. Jesus authorized his apostles to forgive sins (John 20:23). Later Paul writes that the Corinthian congregation “forgive” the incestuous sinner (2 Corinthians 2:7).

[4] I tell you [apostles]: The Greek “you” is plural and is directed to the twelve disciples.

[5] If two of you might agree about a matter on earth: If two apostles agree. Or, RIEU: if any two of you on earth agree in making any prayer; MON: if two of you on earth symphonize your praying. The words “might agree” are from the Greek SYMPHONESOSIN.

[6] It will occur just as you request: Or, RHM: it shall be brought to pass; KNX: it will be granted; NOR: my heavenly Father will answer your prayer.

[7] Two or three of you are gathered together: This is “two or three” of the apostles met in important matters of the Church. Or, WMS: wherever two or three have met as my disciples. The words “gathered together” are from a word related to “synagogue.” These may be official synods or congregational meetings. Compare 1 Corinthians 5:4; James 2:2. Note how Peter and John go to Samaria to request they receive the Pneuma (Acts 8:14, 15).

[8] In my name: Or, GDSP: as my followers; WMS: as my disciples. Note it is in the name of “Jesus” and not his Father “Jehovah.” The phrase may also mean something authorized by the person so named.

[9] I am among them: Or, WMS: I am right there with them. See notes on Matthew 28:20.

 

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Preceding

Matthew 18:1-6 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Children and Stumbling

Matthew 18:1-6 Reborn and pliable as a child

Matthew 18:7-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Danger of Stumbling-blocks

Matthew 18:12-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Searching for Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:15-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Three Steps to Gaining a Brother

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Related

1. A Majority
2. Matthew 18:19 and Prayer
3. Benefits of Being Alone With God
4. Morning Prayer for Thursday, November 29, 2018 — “I pray that I may be loyal to God and to others.”
5. God’s Word at work in our world
6. Strength in Numbers
7. How Shall They Believe
8. What are you waiting for?
9. This is why we gather.
10. Where Two Or Three Are Gathered (Matthew 18:20)
11. Two or Three
12. Daily Inspiration – There am I with them

Matthew 9:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Messiah Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic

CHAPTER NINE:
KINGDOM PREACHING
AND CURES IN A GREAT HARVEST

Matthew 9:1-8 – Messiah Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic

|| Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26

Christ Healing the Paralytic – (painted between 1730 and 1732) Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (1675-1741)

MT9:1 Now boarding the boat Jesus crossed [Galilee] to his own town.[1] MT9:2 And, look! [people of his town] were approaching Jesus with a bed-ridden paralytic. When Jesus saw their faith[2] he said to the paralytic,

“Courage, child, you are released[3] from your sins.”

MT9:3 Now, note, certain Scribes[4] said among themselves,

“This fellow blasphemes!”[5]

MT9:4 But, realizing what they were thinking[6] Jesus told them,

“What evil you think in your hearts! MT9:5 For which is easier to say,[7] ‘You are released from your sins,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’?

MT9:6 But, so that you will realize the Son of Humankind has authority[8] on earth to release from sins”

– then Jesus told the paralytic,

“Get up, pick up your bed, and return to your home.”

MT9:7 And the paralytic rose and returned to his home. MT9:8 When the crowds saw this they were awe-struck and began to glorify The God – the One who gave such authority[9] to humans.

[1] His own town: Capernaum (Matthew 4:13).

[2] Their faith: That is, the faith of the parents.

[3] Released: Or, forgiven. The Greek is APHIENTAI. WEY: pardoned.

[4] Scribes: TCNT: Teachers of the Law; BECK: Bible scholars.

[5] Blasphemes: The Greek is BLASPHEMEI. RHM: speaketh profanely; WEY: impious; BAS: the man has no respect for God.

[6] What they were thinking: Some believe Jesus could read minds. This need not be the case as a very sensitive and observant person may surmise their thinking.

[7] Which is easier to say: Observe Jesus’ own faith.

[8] Authority: If Jesus were God he would not need authority from another.

[9] One who gave such authority: Note the crowd realizes it is God who gave this authority to Jesus. Not only this but they say ANTHROPOIS, meaning “men” or “humans” – plural. In the parallels the Scribes add that “only God can forgive sins.” This is their own judgment, not the facts in the case. Even Jesus authorized his own apostles to “forgive sins.” (John 20:23) Jesus forgives sin because The God (HO THEOS) authorized him to do so.

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Preceding articles:

Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men

More than just a man with authority of speaking

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 8:28-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Demon-possessed of the Gadarenes

Hebraic Roots Bible Matthew Chapter 28

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Additional reading

1. Infinite payment of sin by the son of God
2. A birthday passed nearly unnoticed
3. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it

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Related articles

1. The Authority of Jesus
2. Wisdom Wednesday
3. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity – Matthew 9:1-8
4. Showing friendship (Matthew 9:1-8)
5. In opposing Sadducees, do not become a Pharisee
6. Jean’s Gospel: Are You A Sinner?