Matthew 9:6 - Printer Friendly

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.”

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."

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.