21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
Religious leaders became outraged that Jesus would claim to be God by forgiving sins. These men clearly understood that only God can forgive sins. They concluded that Jesus committed blasphemy.
5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason [dialogue], saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies?
“Scribes” refers to those who interpreted the law of Moses.
Religious leaders of Galilee asserted that Jesus blasphemed God by forgiving the sins of the paralytic. Claiming to be God was the worst form of blasphemy in Judaism (Jn 5:18; 8:58-59; 10:33).
Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
By the word “alone,” Luke put Jesus on par with God the Father. The scribes and Pharisees were right about the principle but wrong about the application. Only God can give forgiveness, but Jesus was both God and human. He had all the rights and prerogatives of God.
5:22
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?
Jesus knew fully (Greek) what was in the hearts of the religious leaders by asking what was in the hearts of scribes and Pharisees.
5:23
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?
The ability to perform a miracle was confirmed by the healing of the paralytic. It was more difficult to heal than to assert forgiveness of sins. There was no way to authenticate one’s forgiveness. It is much easier to say than to do. If Jesus can do a miracle, then He can forgive sins.
5:24
But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Jesus’ healing of the paralytic shows His authority to forgive sins. Everyone was amazed by his healing.
We find the title “Son of Man” used 69 times by Jesus Himself in the Gospels and 25 times in Luke. It was Jesus’ favorite title for Himself. The idea was that Jesus is a unique figure who has the right to forgive sins; He exercised divine prerogatives. He is uniquely related to God.
5:25
Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
The word “immediately” shows the instant and complete healing of the man. Jesus’ authority to heal was immediately verified. All this happened in the presence of everyone there; they could personally verify what they saw. They glorified God because of what they observed.
5:26
And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange [remarkable] things today!”
Not only was the crowd amazed and awestruck, but they realized God was at work, glorifying Him. The healing produced awe for God. The fear of someone absolutely holy brought them to belief. What they termed “strange things” was something miraculous.
PRINCIPLE:
Praise is the proper response to God’s grace.
APPLICATION:
People in the New Testament typically glorified God for their healing (Lu 13:13; 17:15; 18:43). We also need to glorify God for the forgiveness of sins. A healthy fear of God brings people to appreciate the extent of His glory.
