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

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

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?