How does Matthew 9:5 demonstrate Jesus' authority to forgive sins and heal? Setting the Scene • Jesus has just told a paralyzed man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2). • Scribes accuse Him of blasphemy, because only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7). • In response, Jesus poses the piercing question of Matthew 9:5. The Question in Matthew 9:5 “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” • Saying either sentence costs no physical effort. • Fulfilling either claim is humanly impossible. • The question forces the listeners to admit that if Jesus can do the visible miracle, He has the invisible authority as well. Authority to Forgive Sins • Old Testament teaches that God alone forgives iniquity (Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:18). • By declaring forgiveness, Jesus places Himself in God’s position. • His self-designation “Son of Man” (v. 6) recalls Daniel 7:13-14, a divine, everlasting authority. Authority to Heal • Jesus heals the paralytic instantly (Matthew 9:6-7), proving His words are not empty. • Psalm 103:3 links the two acts: “He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases.” • Isaiah 35:5-6 foretells Messiah opening blind eyes and making the lame leap—Jesus fulfills this prophecy on the spot. Connecting Forgiveness and Healing • Physical healing is a tangible sign that the deeper, unseen healing—removal of sin—has taken place. • Both forgiveness and healing flow from the same divine compassion (Matthew 14:14). • By yoking the two, Jesus shows He is ushering in the promised new covenant where sin and its curse are broken (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Isaiah 53:4-5). Results in the Crowd • “When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men” (Matthew 9:8). • Witnesses recognize that real, divine authority stands before them. Implications for Us Today • Jesus’ words still carry the same power: He forgives every repentant sinner (1 John 1:9) and retains sovereign authority to heal (Hebrews 13:8). • The miracle assures us that no sin is beyond His pardon and no affliction beyond His reach. |
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