Why do the scribes question Jesus' authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:7? Gathering in Capernaum - Picture the packed house (Mark 2:1–2). A paralyzed man is lowered through the roof. - Before any physical healing, Jesus says, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). - Immediately, “some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ ” (Mark 2:6–7). What the Scribes Already Knew - Scripture repeatedly states that forgiveness is God’s prerogative: • Exodus 34:6-7 – “The LORD… forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.” • Psalm 103:3 – “He who forgives all your iniquity.” • Isaiah 43:25 – “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions.” - Forgiveness in Israel’s worship centered on the temple sacrifices (Leviticus 4). - As trained experts, the scribes held these truths tightly—rightly recognizing that only God can wipe away sin. Why They Charge Blasphemy 1. Jesus bypasses the temple system. 2. He pronounces forgiveness by His own authority, not as a priest acting on God’s behalf. 3. To them, a mere man claiming divine prerogative equals blasphemy (cf. John 10:33). 4. Their hearts are hardened; they refuse to consider that God might be standing in front of them (Mark 3:5). Jesus’ Silent Reading of Their Hearts - “Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves” (Mark 2:8). - Only God searches hearts (1 Kings 8:39; Jeremiah 17:10). Jesus does precisely that. Proof Through a Physical Miracle - Jesus poses an unanswerable dilemma: “Which is easier: to say… ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:9). - He then heals the man: “so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10-12). - The visible healing validates the invisible forgiveness—confirming His divine authority. What This Teaches Us - The scribes’ question sprang from correct doctrine but misplaced hearts: they saw the law yet missed the Lawgiver standing before them. - Jesus’ authority to forgive proves His deity and foreshadows the cross, where forgiveness would be purchased for all who believe (Ephesians 1:7). - The narrative invites us to respond as the crowd did: “They were all amazed and glorified God” (Mark 2:12), recognizing that the One who forgave then still forgives today. |
    |