1And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. [9:2] And behold, they brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, "Take heart, child; your sins are released." [9:3] And behold, some of the scribes said among themselves, "This man is blaspheming." [9:4] But Jesus, knowing their inner reasonings, said, "Why do you reason evil things in your hearts? [9:5] For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are released,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? [9:6] But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to release sins" — he then said to the paralyzed man — "Rise, pick up your bed and go to your house." [9:7] And he rose and went to his house. [9:8] When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
MAT 9:1-8
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Galilee, physical ailments like paralysis were often interpreted through a religious lens, seen as either divine punishment for sin or a test of faith. The paralytic’s condition would have marked him as ritually impure, socially marginalized, and economically dependent. The act of carrying him on a bed to Jesus reflects the communal effort of his friends, driven by faith in Jesus’ authority to heal. The scribes, guardians of Jewish law and tradition, viewed Jesus’ declaration of forgiveness as blasphemy, since only God could forgive sins. Their internal reasoning reveals their skepticism and adherence to strict theological boundaries. Jesus’ response, questioning which is easier—to forgive sins or to heal—challenges their assumptions and demonstrates his divine authority. The crowd’s reaction of awe underscores their recognition of Jesus’ power, blending fear and reverence in the presence of the divine.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 9:1
- KJV
- And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
- BSB
- Jesus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town.
- Koinōnos
- And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.
MAT 9:2
- KJV
- And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
- BSB
- Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”
- Koinōnos
- And behold, they brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralyzed man, "Take heart, child; your sins are released.
MAT 9:3
- KJV
- And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
- BSB
- On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
- Koinōnos
- And behold, some of the scribes said among themselves, "This man is blaspheming.
MAT 9:4
- KJV
- And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
- BSB
- But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
- Koinōnos
- But Jesus, knowing their inner reasonings, said, "Why do you reason evil things in your hearts?
MAT 9:5
- KJV
- For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
- BSB
- Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’
- Koinōnos
- For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are released,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
MAT 9:6
- KJV
- But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
- BSB
- But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
- Koinōnos
- But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to release sins" — he then said to the paralyzed man — "Rise, pick up your bed and go to your house.
MAT 9:7
- KJV
- And he arose, and departed to his house.
- BSB
- And the man got up and went home.
- Koinōnos
- And he rose and went to his house.
MAT 9:8
- KJV
- But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
- BSB
- When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
- Koinōnos
- When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.8.9
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.8.9
“What they most of all honor, after God himself, is the name of their legislator [Moses], whom if any one blaspheme he is punished capitally.”
Cited to ground: The scribes, guardians of Jewish law and tradition, viewed Jesus’ declaration of forgiveness as blasphemy, since only God could forgive sins.
Translator's notes
MAT 9:2
- son,:The word translated 'son' here is a tender term for a child, often used to express affection or endearment, rather than strictly indicating a biological male offspring.
- are forgiven:The term translated 'are forgiven' literally means to send away, release, or let go. It implies a complete dismissal or cancellation of something, like a debt or a sin.
MAT 9:4
- thoughts:The word translated 'thoughts' refers to deep reflections, considerations, or even inner reasonings, suggesting a more deliberate mental process than just fleeting ideas.
MAT 9:8
- revered:The word translated 'revered' carries the sense of being struck with awe or fear, often in the presence of something divine or powerful, leading to a profound respect.