Matthew 9:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.”

NIV: At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, 'This fellow is blaspheming!'

NASB: And some of the scribes said to themselves, 'This man is blaspheming!'

CSB: At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, "He's blaspheming! "

NLT: But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, 'That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?'

KJV: And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

NKJV: And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

This is Matthew's first mention of the conflict between Jesus and Jewish religious leaders—this will become a central focus of Jesus' ministry moving forward. Jesus has told a paralyzed man brought to Him for healing that his sins are forgiven. This may show that his unique condition was connected in some way to his sinful choices (Matthew 9:1–2).

Some scribes were present in the house, listening to Jesus' teaching. Scribes were often described as teachers of the law, holding some authority over the religious lives of everyday Jewish people. They heard Jesus say to the man that his sins were forgiven. To each other, but out of the hearing of Jesus, they react to this in anger, suggesting Jesus was blaspheming. Mark quotes them as saying, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7).

These religious leaders realized that in declaring a man's sin forgiven, Jesus was making a statement about who He was. Since all sin is committed against God (Psalm 51:4) and since only God can forgive sin (Isaiah 43:25), Jesus was speaking in the place of God.

Of course, Jesus was the Son of God, so His statement is clearly not blasphemy. Some scholars debate whether claiming to forgive sins would qualify as blasphemy even if the person was not Jesus since blasphemy generally has to do with the name of God. Still, Jesus as the Son of God was fully qualified to forgive any sins He chose to.

Were these teachers of the law wrong to be offended at Jesus' statement? If another mere mortal had said such a thing, they may have been exactly right. Instead, their thoughts about Jesus betray the fact that they have failed to recognize the Son of God. Jesus will describe them as thinking evil in their hearts.

Christ's comment here is not careless—He is making a very specific point. In the upcoming verses, Jesus will point out that it's easier to claim one has the power to forgive sins than the power to physically heal; the second is something which can be tested (Matthew 9:4–7).

Matthew 9:1–8 finds Jesus teaching in a crowded house. The friends of a paralyzed man bring him to see Jesus. The gospel of Mark indicates that the crowd is massive, so the men make a hole in the roof and lower him down on his bed (Mark 2:3–4). Jesus tells the man his sins are forgiven. Some scribes in the room call this blasphemy. Jesus, though, demonstrates that He has the authority on earth to forgive sins by showing that He has the authority to tell the paralyzed man to stand up and walk home. The man does exactly that.

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.