Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 9

It is unclear whether this verse ties in more closely with 8:28–34 or with 9:2–8. The problem is not just academic, for the preceding pericope is almost certainly chronologically later (cf. Mark 5:1–20) than this one (cf. Mark 2:2–12); and a break more easily fits between 9:1 and 9:2 than between 8:34 and 9:1. Begged to leave (8:34), Jesus embarked in the boat he had so recently left and returned to “his own town,” namely, Capernaum (4:13), on the western shore of the lake.

Mark (2:3–12) and Luke (5:8–26) inform us that this paralytic was brought to Jesus by lowering him through the roof. Jesus “saw their faith”—presumably that of the paralytic and those carrying him—exemplified in their coming, though he spoke only to the paralytic. Jesus’ statement to him implies a close link between sin and sickness ()—perhaps in this case a direct one (cf. Jn 5:14; 1 Corinthians 11:29–30). It implies that of paralysis and sin, sin is the more basic problem.

Some teachers of the law muttered among themselves that Jesus was blaspheming. It is God alone who can forgive sin (Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22), since it is against him only that people commit sin (Psalms 51:4). Though in Jesus’ day the precise definition of blasphemy was hotly disputed, the consensus seems to be that using the divine name was an essential element. Here the teachers of the law, in their whispered consultation, expanded blasphemy to include Jesus’ claim to do something only God could do.

Jesus had seen the faith of the paralytic and his friends; now he saw the evil thoughts of some of the teachers of the law. Such discernment may have been supernatural, though not necessarily so. Jesus’ charge probed beyond their talk of blasphemy to what they were thinking in their hearts. And what they were thinking was untrue, unbelieving, and blind to what was being revealed before their eyes.

Jesus responded to this situation according to the perspective of the teachers of the law—namely, that to say “Get up and walk” is easier since only God can forgive sins. Jesus claimed to do the more difficult thing. Thus v.6 is ironical —“All right, I’ll also do the lesser deed.” Yet if Jesus had blasphemed in pronouncing forgiveness, how could he now perform a miracle (cf. Jn 9:31)? But so that they might know that he had authority to forgive sin, he proceeded to the easier task. The healing therefore showed that Jesus as “Son of Man” truly had authority to forgive sins. This is the authority of Immanuel, “God with us” (1:23), sent to “save his people from their sins” (1:21). To sum up, the healing not only cured the paralytic (v.7), it also assured him that his sins were forgiven and thus refuted the charge of blasphemy.