Why doth this [man] thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Why {G5101} doth {G2980} this {G3778} man thus {G3779} speak {G2980} blasphemies {G988}? who {G5101} can {G1410} forgive {G863} sins {G266} but {G1508} God {G2316} only {G1520}?
"How can this fellow say such a thing? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?"
“Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?
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Isaiah 43:25
I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. -
Micah 7:18
Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy. -
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God [belong] mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; -
Luke 5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? -
Luke 7:49
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? -
Job 14:4
Who can bring a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one. -
Psalms 130:4
But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Mark 2:7 KJV captures the scribes' immediate, critical reaction to Jesus's declaration of forgiveness to a paralytic man. This verse highlights a pivotal moment where Jesus's divine authority is challenged, setting the stage for a deeper revelation of His identity.
Context
This verse is part of a dramatic narrative where Jesus is teaching in a crowded house in Capernaum. A paralytic man is lowered through the roof by his friends, demonstrating their extraordinary faith. Instead of immediately healing the man's physical ailment, Jesus first declares, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee" (Mark 2:5). The scribes, present in the crowd, are astute religious scholars who understand Jewish law and theology. Their reaction in verse 7 stems directly from Jesus's pronouncement of forgiveness, which they perceive as an act reserved exclusively for God.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated "blasphemies" is blasphēmias (βλασφημίας), which literally means "slander" or "impious speech." In this context, it refers to speech that dishonors God or claims divine prerogatives. The scribes' rhetorical question, "who can forgive sins but God only?" reflects a foundational Old Testament truth, emphasizing God's unique sovereignty over sin and redemption (e.g., Psalm 130:4).
Practical Application
Mark 2:7 challenges us to consider who we believe Jesus truly is. Do we recognize His divine authority not just to heal physical ailments but, more profoundly, to deal with the spiritual malady of sin? This passage reminds us that true forgiveness comes only from God, and that Jesus, by exercising this power, demonstrates His full deity. It calls believers to trust in His complete authority for salvation and to avoid the spiritual blindness that can come from relying solely on human understanding or tradition rather than recognizing God's work in unexpected ways (John 5:24).