JESUS' AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS

 JESUS' AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS

Dr. Maxwell Shimba explains:

Jesus’ Authority to Forgive Sins – An Expository Study of Luke 5:20-21

**Luke 5:20-21** states, **“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you.’ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, ‘Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’”** This passage highlights a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry: His proclamation of forgiveness to a paralyzed man and the subsequent reaction of the religious leaders. Their question underscores a central theme of the Gospels—Jesus' divine authority and His unique role as the mediator of God's forgiveness.

#### Context of Luke 5:20-21

The story in **Luke 5:17-26** describes how Jesus was teaching in a crowded house when a group of men, unable to reach Him due to the large crowd, lowered a paralyzed man through the roof so that he might be healed. Moved by their faith, Jesus responds by forgiving the man's sins before healing him physically. This act of forgiving sins shocks the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who view such an action as blasphemous, since only God has the authority to forgive sins.

#### “When Jesus Saw Their Faith”

In **Luke 5:20**, it says, **"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Man, your sins are forgiven you.'"** The phrase "saw their faith" (*idōn tēn pistin autōn* – Strong’s G1492, G4102) indicates that Jesus recognized the collective faith of the men who brought the paralyzed man. The Greek verb *idōn* (Strong's G1492) means "to see" or "to perceive," which shows that Jesus discerned not only their physical actions but also the deeper spiritual trust they had in Him.

Faith (*pistis* – Strong's G4102), in this context, goes beyond mere belief. It involves an active trust that Jesus could heal and help, demonstrating a confidence in His divine power. This aligns with other passages in the Gospels, where faith is often the precondition for receiving healing or other blessings from Jesus. For instance, in **Matthew 9:29**, Jesus tells two blind men, **"According to your faith be it unto you."**

#### “Your Sins Are Forgiven You”

Jesus' declaration, **"Your sins are forgiven you"** (*aphēntai soi hai hamartiai sou* – Strong's G863, G4675), is a startling one. The Greek word for "forgiven" is *aphēntai* (Strong’s G863), which means "to send away," "to dismiss," or "to release." In a theological sense, it refers to the cancellation of sin's guilt and penalty. 

Sin (*hamartia* – Strong’s G266) refers to any action, attitude, or thought that falls short of God’s moral standard. In this instance, Jesus addresses the man's spiritual condition first, implying that his paralysis is not merely a physical affliction but also has a deeper connection to his sinful state. By forgiving his sins, Jesus is addressing the root of human suffering—sin itself.

#### The Reaction of the Pharisees: “Who Can Forgive Sins But God Alone?”

The response of the scribes and Pharisees in **Luke 5:21** is telling. They say, **"Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"** The charge of blasphemy (*blasphēmia* – Strong’s G988) is serious because, in Jewish law, it is an offense punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). To claim the power to forgive sins was, in their view, to claim an authority reserved for God Himself.

Their question—**"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"**—is both a theological truth and a challenge. Theologically, they are correct. Forgiveness of sins is an exclusive prerogative of God, as seen in verses like **Isaiah 43:25**, where God says, **"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more."** This statement underscores that forgiveness is an act of divine grace.

However, the Pharisees failed to recognize that Jesus, by virtue of His divine nature, had the authority to forgive sins. Jesus' actions here reveal His identity as both the Son of God and the Messiah. In forgiving the man's sins, Jesus is making a profound theological claim: He is God incarnate, with all the authority that belongs to God.

#### Jesus’ Authority to Forgive Sins

The key to understanding this passage is the recognition of Jesus' authority. The authority to forgive sins is not something that Jesus claims in isolation. Rather, it is tied to His identity as the Son of God and His role as the Savior of humanity. In **Mark 2:10**, a parallel account of this event, Jesus explicitly states, **"But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..."** The term "Son of Man" refers to Jesus' Messianic identity (see Daniel 7:13-14) and His role as the one appointed by God to bring salvation to the world.

Jesus’ authority to forgive sins is further confirmed in His resurrection, which vindicates His claims. As Paul writes in **Romans 4:25**, **"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."** The resurrection serves as proof that Jesus' work of atonement was effective, and that He has the power to forgive and justify sinners.

#### Strong’s Concordance Analysis

Here is a closer look at some key Greek terms used in this passage:

- **Faith** (*pistis* – Strong's G4102): Faith in the New Testament is often a condition for receiving healing or forgiveness. In this passage, the faith of the men who brought the paralytic demonstrates their confidence in Jesus' power.

- **Forgive** (*aphēntai* – Strong's G863): This term means "to send away" or "to release," and it is used in the New Testament to describe the act of forgiving sins.

- **Sin** (*hamartia* – Strong's G266): The Greek word for sin refers to missing the mark of God's standard. In this context, Jesus addresses the man's sin before dealing with his physical condition.

- **Blasphemy** (*blasphēmia* – Strong's G988): Blasphemy refers to speaking irreverently about God. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy because they believe only God has the right to forgive sins.

#### Jesus’ Divinity and the Forgiveness of Sins

The question posed by the Pharisees—**"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"**—is crucial for understanding the nature of Jesus’ mission. By forgiving sins, Jesus is not only healing physical ailments but addressing the deeper issue of humanity’s estrangement from God. Sin is ultimately an offense against God (Psalm 51:4), and only God can truly absolve a person from guilt.

By declaring that the man’s sins are forgiven, Jesus is demonstrating that He possesses the authority of God Himself. This is a direct claim to His divinity, which the Pharisees understood but refused to accept. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus' authority to forgive sins is a central element of His Messianic identity. 

In **John 1:29**, John the Baptist declares, **"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"** This statement echoes Jesus’ role as the one who can remove sin, a role that belongs solely to God. By forgiving sins during His earthly ministry, Jesus is providing a foretaste of the greater atonement He would accomplish through His death on the cross. This atonement is what makes the forgiveness of sins possible for all who believe in Him.

#### The Connection Between Forgiveness and Healing

A key aspect of this story in **Luke 5** is the connection between the forgiveness of sins and physical healing. When Jesus forgives the man’s sins, He is addressing the spiritual cause of his suffering. In Jewish thought, sickness and suffering were often viewed as consequences of sin (see **John 9:2**, where the disciples ask Jesus about a blind man, **"Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"**). Although Jesus does not affirm this worldview in every case (as in **John 9:3**, where He rejects the idea that sin caused the man's blindness), in this instance, He treats the man’s spiritual condition as the first issue to be resolved.

After forgiving the man’s sins, Jesus goes on to heal him physically, commanding him to **"rise, pick up your bed and go home"** (Luke 5:24). The immediate physical healing is a sign that Jesus has the authority not only to heal the body but to forgive sin, which is the deeper need. This miraculous healing serves as confirmation of His divine authority, as seen in the following verse: **“And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God”** (Luke 5:25).

Jesus' ability to heal demonstrates His mastery over both the physical and spiritual realms. This dual authority points to His identity as the incarnate Son of God, who has come to restore the whole person—body and soul.

#### The Pharisees’ Error: Rejecting Jesus’ Authority

The Pharisees’ reaction to Jesus’ proclamation of forgiveness exposes their inability to recognize Him as the Messiah. Their question—**"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"**—reveals both their understanding of God’s sovereignty and their failure to grasp the significance of Jesus’ actions. While they are correct that only God can forgive sins, they fail to see that Jesus, as the Son of God, possesses this divine authority.

This rejection of Jesus' authority is a recurring theme in the Gospels. The religious leaders often challenge Jesus, questioning His authority to perform miracles, teach with authority, and forgive sins. Their refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah leads to their eventual role in His crucifixion, but even this fulfills the divine plan of salvation.

In contrast to the Pharisees, the people who witnessed the miracle glorified God, recognizing the power and authority at work in Jesus. **Luke 5:26** states, **“Amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen extraordinary things today.’”** Their reaction stands in stark contrast to the skeptical and hostile response of the religious leaders. The crowd saw in Jesus the revelation of God’s power, while the Pharisees only saw a threat to their authority.

#### Jesus as the Ultimate Mediator of Forgiveness

The broader theological significance of this passage lies in Jesus’ role as the mediator between God and humanity. In the Old Testament, the priesthood played a central role in mediating between God and the people, especially through the sacrificial system. The high priest would offer sacrifices for the atonement of sins, but this system was temporary and pointed forward to a greater fulfillment.

In **Hebrews 10:11-12**, we read: **“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”** Jesus, through His death and resurrection, fulfills and supersedes the Old Testament sacrificial system. His sacrifice is the final and complete atonement for sin, making Him the ultimate mediator of forgiveness.

In **1 Timothy 2:5**, Paul writes, **“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”** This emphasizes Jesus’ unique role as the one who reconciles humanity to God. His authority to forgive sins is a direct result of His work as the mediator of the New Covenant, established through His blood (see **Hebrews 9:15**).

#### Implications for Believers Today

The forgiveness of sins is at the heart of the Christian gospel. Jesus’ declaration to the paralyzed man in **Luke 5:20**—**"Your sins are forgiven you"**—is a message that echoes through the ages. Just as Jesus forgave the man’s sins, He offers forgiveness to all who come to Him in faith. This forgiveness is not earned by good works or religious observance but is a gift of grace, made possible by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

For believers, the forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God and freedom from guilt and shame. As Paul writes in **Ephesians 1:7**, **“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”** This forgiveness restores our relationship with God and enables us to live in the fullness of His grace.

Furthermore, Jesus’ authority to forgive sins serves as a reminder of His divinity and His role as Lord over all creation. As believers, we are called to acknowledge Jesus not only as Savior but also as Lord, submitting to His authority in every area of our lives. His authority over sin and death assures us that He has the power to deliver us from the bondage of sin and to bring us into eternal life.

#### Conclusion: The Authority of Jesus to Forgive Sins

The account of Jesus forgiving the paralyzed man’s sins in **Luke 5:20-21** is a powerful demonstration of His divine authority. By proclaiming forgiveness, Jesus asserts His identity as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The reaction of the Pharisees—**"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"**—highlights the central truth of the gospel: Jesus is God in the flesh, with the power to forgive sins and restore humanity to right relationship with God.

This passage invites us to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love and the magnitude of His sacrifice. His authority to forgive sins is not only a testimony to His divinity but also a profound gift to all who put their faith in Him. Just as the paralyzed man received both spiritual and physical healing, we too can experience the transformative power of Jesus’ forgiveness in our lives. Through faith in Christ, we are reconciled to God, freed from sin, and empowered to live in His grace.

As we consider the question posed by the Pharisees—**"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"**—we are reminded of the truth proclaimed throughout the New Testament: Jesus is both fully God and fully man, the one who has come to take away the sins of the world. **"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"** (**Ephesians 1:7**).

Shimba Bible Study Series 

Shalom 

Dr. Maxwell Shimba 

Shimba Theological Institute 

New York, NY