Matthew 9:1-8·~1 min

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Faith brings the paralytic to Jesus, and forgiveness comes before movement. Jesus reads the scribes' hidden thoughts, names the issue as evil within, and demonstrates authority on earth by restoring the man to his feet.

J¹esus got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town. ²Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” ³On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” ⁴But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? ⁵Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” ⁷And the man got up and went home. ⁸When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Section summaryJesus crosses back to his own town, receives a paralytic brought by faithful men, forgives the man's sins, answers the scribes' silent charge, and proves his authority by sending the man home walking. The crowd responds with awe and glorifies God.

Role in the chapterThis sign joins forgiveness and healing and introduces the authority that will face suspicion throughout the chapter.