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 5:21 (KJV)

Context

Jesus is teaching before a crowd when a paralyzed man is lowered into His presence by friends. Before healing the man, Jesus declares his sins forgiven. The scribes and Pharisees, religious experts who have come to evaluate Jesus, hear this and begin to reason among themselves. Their question reveals both their theology and their blindness: they know that only God can forgive sins, but they do not recognize that God stands before them in the person of Jesus Christ.

Meaning

The Greek word translated “reason” (dialogizesthai) suggests internal deliberation, a silent questioning that Jesus will soon expose. The scribes and Pharisees ask, “Who is this which speaketh blasphemies?” In their view, Jesus, a man, is arrogantly claiming a divine prerogative. Blasphemy dishonors God by claiming what belongs to Him alone. Their second question, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” states a foundational truth: sin is ultimately against God, whose law has been broken, and only He can truly pardon. Their reasoning is correct in affirming God’s sole right to forgive, but it fails to account for who Jesus is. He is not merely a man; He is God the Son, and therefore His forgiveness is not blasphemy but the exercise of His own divine authority.

Biblical connections

The parallel account in Mark 2:7 records the same objection, confirming the consistency of the Gospel testimony. In both passages, Jesus responds by healing the paralyzed man, proving that His authority to forgive sins is real and visible. The religious leaders, though learned in Scripture, are blinded by their presuppositions. They cannot see that the One before them is God incarnate, the very One who alone can forgive sins.

Application

This verse calls us to examine our own hearts. Do we recognize Jesus for who He truly is, or do we, like the scribes and Pharisees, allow our assumptions to hinder our faith? Jesus has authority over sin, sickness, and death. We can approach Him with confidence, seeking forgiveness and restoration, knowing that He is both willing and able to forgive. The religious leaders’ reaction also warns us against spiritual pride. They believed they had the correct understanding of God, yet their hearts were hardened to the truth standing in front of them. We must remain humble, open to God’s work in unexpected ways, and ready to submit to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Just as Jesus came to forgive sins and reconcile people to God, we are privileged to share this good news with others, inviting them to experience His transforming power.

Reflection

The scribes and Pharisees asked, “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” The answer, hidden from them at that moment, is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can and does forgive. His willingness to forgive the paralyzed man reveals both His divine identity and His deep compassion. For every believer, this is a source of assurance: the One who forgave then still forgives today, and His authority has not diminished. Let us respond not with doubt but with worship, trusting that the same Jesus who silenced His accusers by healing the man is able to heal and forgive us as well.