Jesus as God
Jesus Forgives the Paralytic's Sins
The scribes explicitly frame the theological issue by asking who can forgive sins but God alone.
How this passage contributes to the case:
The labels below identify the kinds of evidence for Jesus' divinity found in this passage.
Select a label for an explanation.
Forgiveness of Sins
Divine Authority
Son of Man and Heavenly Authority
Forgives Sins
Knows Human Hearts
Exercises Divine Authority
Strength of evidence: Strong.
This passage provides substantial evidence relevant to Jesus' divine identity when read in its literary and historical context.
Scripture
What Was Said or Done
Jesus forgives a paralytic's sins, perceives his critics' thoughts, and heals the man to demonstrate the Son of Man's authority to forgive sins.
Old Testament Background
The LORD is repeatedly praised as the one who forgives iniquity and removes sin.
Exposition
Jesus does not retreat from the charge. He performs a visible healing so observers may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.
Why This Points to His Divinity
Luke deliberately presents Jesus exercising the disputed divine prerogative and validating that authority through healing.
Response of the Hearers
The scribes and Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy in their reasoning; the crowd glorifies God in amazement.