5:20 5:20

Luke 5:21

5:22 5:22

Bible Versions

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
And {G2532} the scribes {G1122} and {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} began {G756} to reason {G1260}, saying {G3004}, Who {G5101} is {G2076} this {G3778} which {G3739} speaketh {G2980} blasphemies {G988}? Who {G5101} can {G1410} forgive {G863} sins {G266}, but {G1508} God {G2316} alone {G3441}?
The Torah-teachers and the P'rushim began thinking, "Who is this fellow that speaks such blasphemies? Who can forgive sin except God?"
But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Luke 5:21 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the growing tension between His divine claims and the rigid legalism of the religious establishment. This verse immediately follows Jesus' radical act of forgiving the sins of a paralyzed man before healing him (Luke 5:20).

Context

Jesus had just demonstrated His authority by telling a paralyzed man, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." This declaration was heard by the scribes and Pharisees, who were present and observing Jesus' every move. These religious leaders, deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law and traditional interpretations, correctly understood that only God could forgive sins. Their reaction was not one of wonder or belief, but of indignant reasoning and a charge of blasphemy. They saw Jesus' statement as an usurpation of a divine prerogative, considering it an affront to God.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Authority: The core of the controversy lies in Jesus' claim to forgive sins. The religious leaders rightly asserted that only God possesses this power. By making such a declaration, Jesus implicitly, yet profoundly, claimed equality with God, directly challenging their understanding of Messiah and divine power.
  • The Charge of Blasphemy: From the perspective of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus' statement was an act of blasphemy – speaking impiously or irreverently about God, or claiming attributes that belong only to God. This charge would become a recurring theme in their opposition to Jesus, eventually leading to His crucifixion (Matthew 26:65).
  • God's Exclusive Prerogative: The leaders' question, "Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" accurately reflects Old Testament theology. Scriptures consistently portray God as the sole forgiver of sins (Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:18). Their error was not in their understanding of God's power, but in their failure to recognize who stood before them.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "blasphemies" is blasphēmiai (βλασφημίαι), which encompasses speaking evil, slander, or impious speech, especially against God. In this context, it refers to the religious leaders' accusation that Jesus was making a claim to divinity that they deemed false and offensive.

Practical Application

Luke 5:21 invites us to consider the profound implications of Jesus' identity. The question posed by the scribes and Pharisees—"Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"—remains central to Christian belief. This verse compels us to recognize that Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or a healer, but the Son of God who possesses divine authority. His ability to forgive sins underscores His true nature and the power of the Gospel. Forgiveness of sins is a spiritual reality, a divine act that only God can accomplish, and Jesus demonstrated He was indeed God by exercising this very power.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 43:25

    I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

  • Luke 7:49

    And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

  • John 10:33

    The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

  • Mark 2:6

    But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

  • Mark 2:7

    Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

  • Acts 6:11

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

  • Acts 6:13

    And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
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