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.

+

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 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:20-30 – Accusations of Everlasting Sin

Mark 3:20-30 – Accusations of Everlasting Sin

|| Matthew 12:24-32;[1] Luke 11:15-23

MK3:20 And again the crowds gathered together so that there was not even the leisure time to eat. MK3:21 Now when his family[2] heard about it they all went out to restrain him.[3] For they said: “He is out of his mind!”[4] MK3:22 But, the Bible Copyists that came down from Jerusalem said: “He is possessed by Beelzebub!”[5] And also, “It is by the ruler of the demons he exorcises demons!” MK3:23 So Jesus called all of them to him and in parables he spoke to them: “How can Satan exorcise Satan? MK3:24 If his kingdom is disunited then his kingdom could never stand. MK3:25 Also, if a house is disunited against itself that house could never stand. MK3:26 And if Satan rebels against himself and is disunited he could never stand and that is the end of him. MK3:27 No person can force his way into a strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he could plunder his property. MK3:28 I tell you this truth: Every sin will be forgiven human beings. Even whatever abusive things they speak. MK3:29 However, the person who speaks abusively against the holy Pneuma[6] shall never be forgiven, but is guilty of ageless condemnation.” MK3:30 (Jesus said this because they had said: “He is possessed by an unclean demon!”)

*

[1] Matthew 12:24-32: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Family: Or, friends, relatives. Likely including his mother, brothers and sisters, and others.

[3] To restrain him: Or, lay hold on him, seize him, take charge, take him into custody. They think he has gone out of his mind and needs other to save him from his course.

[4] He is out of his mind: Or, beside himself, lost his senses, mad, crazy. Though this is a strong accusation, the one that follows is considerably worse.

[5] He is possessed by Beelzebub: A name used of the Devil. The charge is one of demon-possession.

[6] Speaks abusively against the holy Pneuma: See notes on Matthew 12:32.

+

Preceding

Matthew 12:31-32 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blasphemy against the Pneuma

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

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

Mark 3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 3:13-19 – Formation of Group of the Apostles

++

Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will” (April 15)

+++

Related articles

1. Are You Out of Your Mind? (Mk 3:20-35)
   Jesus is Misunderstood- Worship Resources based on Mark 3.20-35

   The Spiritual Crisis of the Christ

2. In Relationship with Him
3. Will a constantly squabbling family disintegrate?
4. House Divided (Mark 3:20-35) Sunday School Lesson and Activities
5. Mark 3:24: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” + Mark 3:13-19 – Who were the twelve apostles?
6. Scriptural Meditation- Mark 3:24

Matthew 17:10-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Elijah Has Already Come

Matthew 17:10-13 – Elijah Has Already Come

|| Mark 9:9-13

MT17:10 Now the disciples inquired of Jesus, asking, “Why do the Scribes[1] say it is necessary for Elijah[2] to come first?” [Malachi 4:5] MT17:11 Jesus answered them, saying: “Indeed, Elijah is coming[3] and will restore everything.[4] MT17:12 But, I tell you: Elijah has already arrived[5] and they did not acknowledge him;[6] rather, they treated him as they wished.[7] And just so the Son of Humankind is about to suffer because of them.”[8] MT17:13 Finally the disciples understood that Jesus spoke to them about John the Baptist.

+

[1] Scribes: Search the word scribe for notes elsewhere. Or, NEB: teachers.

[2] Elijah: Likely this prophet is raised as a result of the vision. We may suppose only the three disciples were asking the question. On Elijah research the name for other notes.

[3] Elijah is coming: Judging from Jesus’ words may we suppose there are two “Elijahs”? One to appear before the desolation of Jerusalem (Malachi 4:5). And, still another before the Parousia of Christ (Revelation 11:4, 5). The Nazarene does not mean the literal prophet but something like him.

[4] Restore everything: Or, NEB: set everything right; GDSP: reform everything; RIEU: reestablish everything. Compare Acts 3:21. Malachi 4:6 foretold the result of Elijah’s coming:

“He must turn the heart of fathers back toward sons, and the heart of sons back toward fathers.”

If this be the ‘restoration’ it deals strongly with family relationships and involves love. If we were to also apply Isaiah 40:5 to the coming of Elijah then this also would be involved: “The glory of Jehovah will certainly be revealed, and all flesh must see it together.” Additionally, consider Malachi 3:1-4: “And suddenly there will come to His temple the [true] Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said. “But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. And he must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Le’vi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness. And the gift offering of Judah and of Jerusalem will actually be gratifying to Jehovah, as in the days of long ago and as in the years of antiquity.” (NWT) The ‘restoration’ not only involves family relationships but also the true Temple and the cleansing of the People of God. Compare Revelation 11:1-12; 11:19.

[5] Elijah has already arrived: See notes on Matthew 11:14 and Matthew 16:14 and the name Elijah elsewhere.

[6] They did not acknowledge him: “They” includes the Scribes. Or, KJV: knew him not; RHM: they recognized him not.

[7] They treated him as they wished: Or, KJV: have done unto him whatsoever they listed; RHM: did with him whatsoever they pleased; MOF: they have worked their will on him; KNX: misused him at their pleasure. “They” imprisoned and then beheaded John the Baptist.

[8] Suffer because of them: This is the second of two times Jesus mentions his foretold ‘suffering.’ (see notes at Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 17:25) That the Messiah would “suffer” is foretold by Psalm 22:1+ and Isaiah 53:1+. Compare also Isaiah 50:6 and Daniel 9:26.

+

Preceding

Matthew 17:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Transfiguration Vision

+++

Related

1. Will Elijah Come Again? No, Elijah has already come.
2. Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
3. Jesus talks about Elijah

Matthew 8:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Two Would-be Followers

Matthew 8:18-22 – Two Would-be Followers

|| Luke 9:57-60

MT8:18 But when Jesus observed the crowd surrounding him he commanded [his disciples] to leave for the other side of [Lake Galilee]. MT8:19 And a scribe[1] approached Jesus, and said: “I will follow you anywhere you go.” MT8:20 Jesus told him, “Foxes[2] have dens and birds of the sky roasts,[3] but the Son of Humankind[4] has nowhere[5] to lay his head.” MT8:21 Then a different one of the disciples[6] said to Jesus, “Sir, permit me first to go and bury my father.”[7] MT8:22 But, Jesus told him, “Be following me[8] and let the dead bury their own dead.”[9]

[1] Scribe: The Greek is GRAMMATEUS, a grammarian, writer or copyist. The word occurs about 75 times in the Bible, beginning with Judges 5:14 (Compare 1 Chronicles 2:55; Ezra 4:8, 9, 17, 23). The group occur in Matthew, 22; Mark, 21; Luke, 14; John, 1; Acts, 3; 1 Corinthians, 1. The scribe may be learning or educated. The Hebrew sopherim were very dedicated to the precise hand-copying of the Scriptures. They counted not only the words but also the letters of the entire Hebrew Bible. They were associated with teachers of the Law and particularly the sect of the Pharisees. They could be called “Rabbi.” We would suspect their fingers blackened from much use of pen and ink. The older scribes much hunched over from labors and the penmanship table.

[2] Foxes: The animal lives in burrows underground which may be substantial. They are mentioned nine times in the Bible.

[3] Roasts: Note not “nests” but temporary places to spend the night.

[4] Son of Humankind: The Greek is HUIOS TOU ANTHROPOU and is most often rendered “Son of man.” There are several words for “man” and so we prefer to widen this word to mean “human” which may or may not include women as in “humankind” according to the context. The phrase is taken directly from Daniel 7:13 which was understood by the Jewish teachers to refer to the Messiah or even the Son of God (Compare Philo Judaea). The designation occurs about 180 times and is applied to Daniel and Ezekiel, most often in the Hebrew Bible to the latter prophet. The title occurs in Matthew, 31; Mark, 14; Luke, 25; John, 13; Acts, 1 and rarely elsewhere.

[5] Nowhere: Jesus has no permanent residence but is like Paul, “homeless.” (1 Corinthians 4:11) It is interesting to note when we see Jesus next sleeping: in the fishing boat during the storm. He is often seen spending the night outdoors even up to his final week. Such a person today would be considered a homeless street-person and shunned by genteel Christians.

[6] A different one of the disciples: Possibly one other than the twelve. It is interesting to note that this “disciples” wishes to “follow” Jesus. One might assume that is what being a disciple meant. It is possible the account means by this that the disciple wanted to become part of Jesus personal entourage which followed him everywhere.

[7] Bury my father: Many understand this to mean the disciple wished to return to his living father and wait until his death and burial and thereafter begin his following Jesus.

[8] Following me: Jesus does not include him among his closest disciples but encourages the man to continue to follow on this course.

[9] Dead bury their own dead: Those who are spiritually dead as children of Adam and have not taken up Nazarene discipleship. There were others who could bear this burden leaving the man free to follow if he so chose. Discipleship, particularly apostleship, were serious matters worthy of total commitment by a man. It is possibly the reason women were not invited to make this sacrifice, given their obligations as mothers.

+

Preceding

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

Matthew 8:1-4 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus a Miracle-working Son of God

Matthew 8:5-13 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Servant of Army Officer Healed

Matthew 8:14-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law

++

Additional reading

1. A call easy to understand
2. Discipleship to look at
3. Discipleship way of life on the narrow way to everlasting life
4. Breathing and growing with no heir
5. Fellowship
6. Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian

+++

Further related

1. Matthew 8:18-22
2. Matthew 8:18-22 … burying the dead
3. The decision moment with Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22)
4. Following Jesus…
5. Discipleship
6. the cost of discipleship
7. The Cost of (Non) Discipleship
8. Discipleship is a Life-long Process
9. Discipleship Essentials
10. Diligence in discipleship
11. On Method Acting And The Call of Discipleship
12. The cost of discipleship, peace, and division
13. Beginning Discipleship From the Apostles and Elders
14. Deepen your Faith through Discipleship
15. Why (good) discipleship matters