Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Matthew 9:6
ESV But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — he then said to the paralytic — "Rise, pick up your bed and go home."
NIV But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home."
NASB But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins'—then He *said to the paralyzed man, 'Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.'
CSB But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" —then he told the paralytic, "Get up, take your stretcher, and go home."
NLT So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'
KJV But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
NKJV But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

What does Matthew 9:6 mean?

Jesus is challenging a group of unbelieving scribes. They have accused Him of blasphemy for telling a paralyzed man his sins are forgiven (Matthew 9:2–4). He has asked which is easier, forgiving sins or healing the man. By this, Jesus implies that it's not as easy to claim authority over illness and disease, since that can be immediately tested. If He can "prove" something more difficult, it lends credibility to His claims about sin.

Jesus says boldly and explicitly that He will do both: declare forgiveness of sin and healing of disease. Proving His power over nature supports His claims to be the "Son of Man," who also has the authority to offer God's forgiveness. Jesus often refers to Himself as the Son of Man, a name from Daniel's revelation that pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13). The name carries with it the idea of one who is the ultimate of the sons of men, as well as the servant who is king.

Jesus follows through by turning to the paralyzed man who had to be lowered through the roof of the house on a bed in order to see Jesus (Mark 2:4). Jesus tells him simply, "Rise, pick up your bed and go home."
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit