Mark 2:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

NIV: "Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

NASB: Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone?'

CSB: "Why does he speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

NLT: What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!'

KJV: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

NKJV: “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus has just declared that a paralyzed man's sins are forgiven. The wording Jesus uses in Mark 2:5, "your sins are forgiven," has a particular passive tense that is common to prophets who speak for God in a way that doesn't use His name for fear of blasphemy. We would say, "God forgives you."

Scribes, Pharisees who are experts in the Mosaic Law, are present. Their job is to teach the Scriptures and identify false teachers. They know that only God can forgive sins but they don't accept Jesus as a prophet. Instead of taking the evidence of Jesus' miracles and teaching and determining that He is at least God's messenger, they decide He must be a blasphemer.

The Greek root word from which "blaspheme" is taken is the familiar-looking blasphemeo. It means "to speak in a way that expresses disapproval, to disrespect, to revile." The scribes consider the evidence and determine that Jesus reviles God. Traditionally, it means that someone disrespects God's "name," which could mean His actual name or His character. When Jesus declares what only God could declare, the scribes possibly see that Jesus is insinuating that He is God, which blasphemes God's character because He is one (Deuteronomy 6:4).

The scribes' questions are valid, but their conclusion isn't. Their job is to know the Old Testament and, therefore, the characteristics of the Messiah. But although the Babylonian captivity has reoriented the Jews into following God and acknowledging their need for the Messiah, it also confuses them as to what the Messiah will do. Jesus reveals His identity and purpose gradually, so the scribes shouldn't necessarily recognize Him right away. But they should take more than a moment to "question in their hearts" (Mark 2:6) before making a judgment call. The real problem, as explained in Matthew 9:4, is that their thoughts in this instance are not sincere, they are "evil."

Mark 2:1–12 records the first of five stories from the gospel of Mark which establish Jesus' claims to various spheres of authority. Jesus returns to Capernaum from His tour of Galilee, and the crowds regather. Here, Jesus declares that He has the power to forgive sins. A paralyzed man is brought into the crowded room through the roof. In response to the man's faith, Jesus declares his sins to be forgiven. When challenged by the scribes, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This event is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.