How should Matthew 9:7 influence our understanding of Jesus' divine nature?

setting the scene

“ ‘And the man got up and went home.’ ” (Matthew 9:7)

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what happened in that instant

• A paralyzed man, moments earlier helpless on a mat, rose to his feet.

• The healing came immediately after Jesus’ command: “ ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.’ ” (v. 6).

• The crowd could see, hear, and verify the miracle on the spot.

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authority that belongs to God alone

• Jesus first forgave the man’s sins (Matthew 9:2). Only God can do that (Isaiah 43:25).

• To prove He possessed that invisible authority, He exercised visible power—healing the body.

• The instantaneous obedience of muscles, nerves, and limbs shows creation responding to its Creator (Psalm 33:9).

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confirmation of messianic identity

• Isaiah foretold that when God Himself came, “Then the lame will leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:4-6).

• Matthew presents this event as fulfillment: the miracle authenticates Jesus as “Immanuel — God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

• Acts 2:22 later recalls such works as divine accreditation of Jesus.

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evidence of omnipotent word

• No physical therapy, no delay—just a command. The same voice that spoke galaxies into existence (John 1:3) restores a ruined body.

• Hebrews 1:3 says He “upholds all things by His powerful word.” Matthew 9:7 lets us watch that word in action.

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public vindication before skeptics

• The scribes had just accused Jesus of blasphemy (Matthew 9:3).

• The healed man walking home was God’s rebuttal, silencing human courts with divine proof (Psalm 115:3).

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encouragement for today

• The Jesus who re-created failing limbs still holds power over every realm—spiritual, physical, eternal (Colossians 1:16-17).

• His full deity assures believers that forgiveness promised at the cross is as certain as the man’s first step out the door.