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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 5:21 But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/5-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/42_Luk_05_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 5:21 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? 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Who can forgive sins but God alone?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/luke/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” <a href="/esv/luke/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” <a href="/bsb/luke/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” <a href="/blb/luke/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins, except God alone?" <a href="/kjv/luke/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? <a href="/nkjv/luke/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” <a href="/nasb_/luke/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began thinking of the implications, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, except God alone?” <a href="/nasb/luke/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, &#8220Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/luke/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” <a href="/lsb/luke/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” <a href="/amp/luke/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to consider and question [the implications of what He had said], saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]? Who can forgive sins [that is, remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?” <a href="/csb/luke/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? ” <a href="/hcsb/luke/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think: &#8220Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?&#8221 <a href="/asv/luke/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? <a href="/cev/luke/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Pharisees and the experts began arguing, "Jesus must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins." <a href="/erv/luke/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? <a href="/gwt/luke/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The scribes and the Pharisees thought, "Who is this man? He's dishonoring God! Who besides God can forgive sins?" <a href="/gnt/luke/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who speaks such blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!" <a href="/isv/luke/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to argue among themselves, saying, "Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" <a href="/msb/luke/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, ?Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?? <a href="/net/luke/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, "Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" <a href="/nheb/luke/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" <a href="/wbt/luke/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? <a href="/wey/luke/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, "Who is this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" <a href="/web/luke/5.htm">World English Bible</a> The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks evil words? Who is able to forgive sins, except God only?” <a href="/blb/luke/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins, except God alone?" <a href="/ylt/luke/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this that doth speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins, except God only?' <a href="/slt/luke/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason with themselves, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can remit sins but God alone?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? <a href="/cpdv/luke/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: “Who is this, who is speaking blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins, except God alone?” <a href="/nabre/luke/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” <a href="/nrsvce/luke/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason saying, Who is this man who talks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins, except God only? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And the Scribes and Pharisees began to think, and they were saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemy? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying: Who is this that utters impious words? Who can forgive sins but God alone?<CM> <a href="/godbey/luke/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, Who is this one who speaketh blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins, except God only? <a href="/haweis/luke/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? <a href="/mace/luke/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> upon which the Scribes and Pharisees objected among themselves, saying, what a man is this to blaspheme thus? who can forgive sins but God alone? <a href="/wey/luke/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, "Who is this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?" <a href="/worrell/luke/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is This that is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God only?" <a href="/worsley/luke/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And the scribes and pharisees began to cavil, saying, Who is this that talketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God? <a href="/parallel/luke/5-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=1902" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/5.htm">Jesus Heals a Paralytic</a> …20When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1122.htm" title="1122: grammateis (N-NMP) -- From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.">scribes</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-NMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Pharisees</a> <a href="/greek/756.htm" title="756: ērxanto (V-AIM-3P) -- To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.">began</a> <a href="/greek/1260.htm" title="1260: dialogizesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To reason (with), debate (with), consider. From dia and logizomai; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate.">thinking to themselves,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“Who</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">man who</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalei (V-PIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">speaks</a> <a href="/greek/988.htm" title="988: blasphēmias (N-AFP) -- Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.">blasphemy?</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Who</a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">can</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: apheinai (V-ANA) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">forgive</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-AFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sins</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3441.htm" title="3441: monos (Adj-NMS) -- Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.">alone?”</a> 22Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/9-3.htm">Matthew 9:3</a> On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” <a href="/mark/2-6.htm">Mark 2:6-7</a> But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, / “Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” <a href="/john/10-33.htm">John 10:33</a> “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.” <a href="/matthew/26-65.htm">Matthew 26:65</a> At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. <a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a> Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. <a href="/john/8-58.htm">John 8:58-59</a> “Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” / At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area. <a href="/john/19-7.htm">John 19:7</a> “We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.” <a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a> I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. <a href="/psalms/103-3.htm">Psalm 103:3</a> He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a> In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. <a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Leviticus 24:16</a> Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death; the whole assembly must surely stone him, whether he is a foreign resident or native; if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death. <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. <a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a> Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah <a href="/jeremiah/31-34.htm">Jeremiah 31:34</a> No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a> The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?scribes.<a href="/luke/5-17.htm">Luke 5:17</a> And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.<a href="/luke/7-49.htm">Luke 7:49</a> And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?<a href="/mark/2-6.htm">Mark 2:6,7</a> But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, … blasphemies.<a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Leviticus 24:16</a> And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.<a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">1 Kings 21:10-14</a> And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die… <a href="/matthew/9-3.htm">Matthew 9:3</a> And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.Who can.<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6,7</a> And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … <a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a> I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.<a href="/psalms/35-5.htm">Psalm 35:5</a> Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/5-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/luke/4-34.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/mark/12-28.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/mark/3-28.htm">Blasphemies</a> <a href="/mark/14-64.htm">Blasphemy</a> <a href="/luke/4-41.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/4-27.htm">Except</a> <a href="/luke/5-20.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/mark/14-69.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/mark/11-26.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/luke/5-20.htm">Forgiven</a> <a href="/luke/5-20.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/luke/5-20.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/luke/5-17.htm">Law</a> <a href="/luke/5-18.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Question</a> <a href="/luke/4-43.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/mark/14-59.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/mark/15-31.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/luke/5-20.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/luke/4-42.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/21-45.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/luke/5-18.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/luke/4-36.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/luke/2-44.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/luke/5-15.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/6-7.htm">Able</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/luke/9-46.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Blasphemies</a> <a href="/john/10-33.htm">Blasphemy</a> <a href="/luke/6-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/luke/6-4.htm">Except</a> <a href="/luke/7-9.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Forgive</a> <a href="/luke/5-23.htm">Forgiven</a> <a href="/luke/5-23.htm">Forgiveness</a> <a href="/luke/7-5.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/luke/6-3.htm">Law</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Question</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/luke/18-2.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Scribes</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/luke/6-26.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/luke/5-30.htm">Teachers</a> <a href="/luke/6-11.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Thinking</a> <a href="/luke/6-22.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 5</div>1. <a href="/luke/5-1.htm">Jesus teaches the people out of Peter's ship;</a> 4. <a href="/luke/5-4.htm">shows how he will make them fishers of men;</a> 12. <a href="/luke/5-12.htm">cleanses the leper;</a> 16. <a href="/luke/5-16.htm">prays in the desert;</a> 17. <a href="/luke/5-17.htm">heals a paralytic;</a> 27. <a href="/luke/5-27.htm">calls Matthew the tax collector;</a> 29. <a href="/luke/5-29.htm">eats with sinners, as being the physician of souls;</a> 33. <a href="/luke/5-33.htm">foretells the fasting and afflictions of the apostles after his ascension;</a> 36. <a href="/luke/5-36.htm">and illustrates the matter by the parable of patches.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves The scribes and Pharisees were religious leaders and experts in Jewish law. Their role was to interpret and enforce the Mosaic Law, and they held significant influence over Jewish society. In this context, they were often skeptical of Jesus' teachings and actions, as He challenged their authority and interpretations. Their internal questioning reflects their suspicion and inability to comprehend Jesus' divine authority. This moment highlights the growing tension between Jesus and the religious establishment, which is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels.“Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Blasphemy, in Jewish law, was a serious offense, punishable by death (<a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Leviticus 24:16</a>). It involved showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. The religious leaders considered Jesus' claim to forgive sins as blasphemous because, in their understanding, only God had the authority to forgive sins. This accusation foreshadows the charges that would later be brought against Jesus during His trial (<a href="/mark/14-61.htm">Mark 14:61-64</a>). The question posed by the scribes and Pharisees reveals their misunderstanding of Jesus' identity and mission.Who can forgive sins but God alone?” This rhetorical question underscores a fundamental theological truth recognized by the Jewish leaders: only God has the power to forgive sins. This belief is rooted in passages such as <a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Isaiah 43:25</a>, where God declares His sole authority to forgive. The statement inadvertently affirms Jesus' divine nature, as He demonstrates His authority to forgive sins, thus revealing His identity as God incarnate. This moment is pivotal in the Gospel narrative, as it challenges the audience to recognize Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the Son of God with divine authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central figure in the passage, performing a miracle and teaching about His divine authority. 2. <a href="/topical/s/scribes_and_pharisees.htm">Scribes and Pharisees</a> Religious leaders of the time, known for their strict adherence to the Law and skepticism towards Jesus. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_paralytic.htm">The Paralytic</a> The man who was healed by Jesus, demonstrating Jesus' power to forgive sins and heal. 4. <a href="/topical/c/capernaum.htm">Capernaum</a> The town where this event took place, often serving as a backdrop for Jesus' ministry. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_house.htm">The House</a> The setting of the miracle, where Jesus was teaching and healing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority_of_jesus.htm">Divine Authority of Jesus</a> Jesus demonstrates His divine authority by forgiving sins, a prerogative of God alone. This challenges us to recognize and submit to His authority in our lives. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_healing.htm">Faith and Healing</a> The healing of the paralytic underscores the importance of faith. We are encouraged to approach Jesus with faith, trusting in His power to heal and forgive. <a href="/topical/c/confronting_skepticism.htm">Confronting Skepticism</a> The skepticism of the scribes and Pharisees serves as a warning against hard-heartedness. We should remain open to the truth of Jesus' identity and mission. <a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_and_restoration.htm">Forgiveness and Restoration</a> Jesus' act of forgiving the paralytic's sins before healing him physically highlights the priority of spiritual restoration. We are reminded to seek forgiveness and spiritual renewal. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_blasphemy.htm">Understanding Blasphemy</a> The accusation of blasphemy reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus' identity. We are called to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and His relationship with the Father.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 5</a> <a href="/q/what_was_the_tax_collectors'_role_in_the_bible.htm">What role did tax collectors have in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_joel_3_10.htm">What is Ministry Idolatry?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_responsible_for_christ's_death.htm">Who is accountable for the death of Christ?</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'your_sins_are_forgiven'.htm">What does "Your sins are forgiven" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? It is very probable that some of those who stood by, had already, at Jerusalem, witnessed by the Bethesda Pool a wonder-work done by the same Jesus on the person of an impotent man lying there waiting for the troubling of the water (<a href="/john/5-5.htm">John 5:5, 9</a>), and had taken part there in an angry expostulation with the Wonder-worker, who on that occasion, in his words, "made himself equal with God" (<a href="/john/5-18.htm">John 5:18</a>). We know (see ver. 17) that some of the Jerusalem scribes were present that day in the Capernaum house. Again, thought these learned Jews, "this strange Man is uttering his dread blasphemies, but now in even more plain terms than there. <a href="/commentaries/luke/5-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. scribes γραμματεῖς (grammateis) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1122.htm">Strong's 1122: </a> From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Pharisees Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary. began ἤρξαντο (ērxanto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_756.htm">Strong's 756: </a> To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence. to consider [this] διαλογίζεσθαι (dialogizesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_1260.htm">Strong's 1260: </a> To reason (with), debate (with), consider. From dia and logizomai; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate. [and] ask, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “Who Τίς (Tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. this οὗτος (houtos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. [man] who ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. speaks λαλεῖ (lalei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. blasphemy? βλασφημίας (blasphēmias) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_988.htm">Strong's 988: </a> Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification. Who τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. forgive ἀφεῖναι (apheinai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. sins ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. but εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. God Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. alone?? μόνος (monos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3441.htm">Strong's 3441: </a> Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/5-21.htm">Luke 5:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/5-21.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 5:21 The scribes and the Pharisees began (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 5:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>