What is the meaning of Luke 5:21? But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves • The religious experts watch Jesus heal the paralytic and declare, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20). • Instead of rejoicing, they retreat into silent judgment. Their inward dialogue shows a heart closed to revelation, similar to the older brother in the parable (Luke 15:28-30). • Scripture repeatedly warns that hidden thoughts are fully known to God (Psalm 139:2; Hebrews 4:13). Jesus will shortly prove this by answering their unspoken reasoning. • Their inward criticism illustrates how mere external religiosity can resist God’s work when it threatens tradition (Matthew 23:27-28). "Who is this man who speaks blasphemy?" • They assume Jesus is an ordinary rabbi. If so, claiming authority to forgive sins would indeed violate the Law’s demand for reverence toward God’s name (Leviticus 24:16). • Yet Isaiah had foretold Immanuel—“God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). The scribes miss that prophecy standing before them. • Earlier, angels identified Jesus as “Savior…Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Simeon and Anna confirmed His divine mission (Luke 2:25-38). Every sign points to His deity, yet hardened hearts label Him a blasphemer. • Their charge foreshadows the accusation later leveled at the cross (Matthew 26:65), underscoring the consistent unbelief of the religious establishment. "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" • The statement is theologically correct: ultimate forgiveness is God’s prerogative (Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:18-19). • Jesus does not dispute the premise; instead, He demonstrates that He shares that exclusive authority. By healing the paralytic instantly (Luke 5:24-25), He provides physical proof of spiritual power. • The miracle functions as a visible sign of an invisible reality, echoing Psalm 103:3—“He forgives all your iniquities; He heals all your diseases.” • The crowd’s amazement—“We have seen remarkable things today” (Luke 5:26)—confirms that God has visited His people through His Son (Luke 7:16). summary Luke 5:21 captures a silent clash: religious leaders accuse Jesus of blasphemy because only God can forgive sins. Jesus deliberately stakes that claim, then authenticates it by healing the paralytic. Their objection ironically affirms the truth: Jesus is God in flesh, possessing full authority to pardon. The passage challenges every reader to move from skeptical questioning to worshipful faith, recognizing that the One who heals our bodies also has the power to erase our sins. |
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