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Matthew 9:2-6

Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Matthew 9:2-6 sits inside this longer paragraph.

He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

    Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

    Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

    For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’

    But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And lo they brought to him a man sicke of the palsie lyinge in his bed. And when Iesus sawe the faith of the he sayd to the sicke of the palsie: sonne be of good chere thy sinnes be forgeve the.

    And beholde certeyne of the scribes sayd in the selves this man blasphemeth.

    And when Iesus sawe their thoughtes he sayd: wherfore thinke ye evill in youre hertes?

    Whether ys esyer to saye thy synnes be forgeven ye or to saye: arise and walke?

    That ye maye knowe that the sonne of man hath power to forgeve sinnes in erth then sayd he vnto the sicke of the palsye: arise take vp thy beed and go home to thine housse.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And loe, they brought to him a man sicke of the palsie, laid on a bed. And Iesus seeing their faith, saide to the sicke of the palsie, Sonne, be of good comfort: thy sinnes are forgiuen thee.

    And beholde, certaine of the Scribes saide with themselues, This man blasphemeth.

    But when Iesus saw their thoughts, he said, Wherefore thinke yee euil things in your hearts?

    For whether is it easier to say, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, or to say, Arise, and walke?

    And that ye may knowe that the Sonne of man hath authoritie in earth to forgiue sinnes, (then saide he vnto the sicke of the palsie,) Arise, take vp thy bed, and goe to thine house.

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Cross-references (89)

  • John 5:8-14 (v5) Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now it was the…
  • Mark 2:9-12 (v5) Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ But that you may know…
  • Acts 3:16 (v5) By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this…
  • Luke 5:23-25 (v5) Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority…
  • Acts 14:8-11 (v5) At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. He was listening to Paul…
Show all 87 cross-references
  • Isaiah 35:5-6 (v5) Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the…
  • Acts 3:6-11 (v5) But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” He…
  • Acts 9:34 (vv5–6) Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
  • Mark 2:1-12 (v2) When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many were gathered together, so…
  • Luke 5:18-26 (v2) Behold, men brought a paralyzed man on a cot, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. Not finding a way to bring him in…
  • Luke 6:8 (v4) But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood.
  • John 5:17-18 (v5) But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.” For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill…
  • Jeremiah 31:33-34 (v2) “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Yahweh: “I will put my law in their inward…
  • Matthew 12:25 (v4) Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided…
  • Matthew 9:22 (v2) But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that…
  • Acts 4:9-10 (v5) if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, may it be known to you all,…
  • Revelation 2:23 (v4) I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each…
  • Psalms 32:1-2 (v2) Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose…
  • Luke 7:47-50 (v2) Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He…
  • Psalms 44:21 (v4) won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
  • Psalms 139:2 (v4) You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
  • Luke 9:46-47 (v4) An argument arose among them about which of them was the greatest. Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child,…
  • Luke 11:17 (v4) But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against…
  • John 16:30 (v4) Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
  • Isaiah 43:25 (v6) I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
  • John 2:24-25 (v4) But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he…
  • Colossians 1:12-14 (v2) giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us out of the power…
  • Hebrews 4:12-13 (v4) For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both…
  • James 2:18 (v2) Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
  • Matthew 4:24 (v2) The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments,…
  • Matthew 8:10 (v2) When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in…
  • Matthew 8:16 (v2) When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick;
  • Matthew 9:5 (v6) For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’
  • Matthew 26:65 (v3) Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his…
  • John 6:61 (v4) But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble?
  • John 6:64 (v4) But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would…
  • John 16:19 (v4) Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said,…
  • Acts 5:3-4 (v4) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? While…
  • Acts 5:9 (v4) But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried…
  • Acts 8:20-22 (v4) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither…
  • Acts 19:12 (v2) so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits…
  • Romans 4:6-8 (v2) Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are…
  • Luke 5:21 (vv3, 6) The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
  • Leviticus 24:16 (v3) He who blasphemes Yahweh’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as…
  • Isaiah 44:22 (v2) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
  • Matthew 9:6 (v2) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up…
  • Mark 2:8 (v4) Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your…
  • Mark 12:15 (v4) Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may…
  • Luke 5:22 (v4) But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
  • John 21:5 (v2) Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
  • John 21:17 (v4) He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time,…
  • Acts 5:15-16 (v2) They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow…
  • Isaiah 40:1-2 (v2) “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that…
  • Matthew 16:7-8 (v4) They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” Jesus, perceiving it, said, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of…
  • Mark 1:32 (v2) At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick, and those who were possessed by demons.
  • Mark 2:6-7 (v3) But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can…
  • Mark 5:34 (v2) He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
  • Mark 8:16-17 (v4) They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have no bread.” Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason that it’s…
  • Mark 14:64 (v3) You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
  • Luke 7:39-40 (v3) Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what…
  • Luke 7:40 (v4) Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.”
  • John 5:21-23 (v6) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. For the Father judges no one,…
  • John 10:33-36 (v3) The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus answered…
  • John 16:33 (v2) I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
  • John 20:21-23 (v6) Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on…
  • Acts 14:9 (v2) He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
  • Romans 5:11 (v2) Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
  • 2 Corinthians 2:10 (v6) Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the…
  • Ecclesiastes 9:7 (v2) Go your way—eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
  • Ezekiel 38:10 (v4) “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “It will happen in that day that things will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.
  • Micah 7:18 (v6) Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger…
  • Matthew 7:29 (v3) for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
  • Matthew 8:20 (v6) Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
  • Mark 2:7 (v6) “Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
  • Mark 2:10 (v6) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—
  • Mark 7:21 (v3) For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
  • Luke 13:11-13 (v6) Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up. When…
  • John 2:25 (v2) and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
  • John 10:28 (v6) I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
  • John 17:2 (v6) even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
  • Acts 5:31 (v6) God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
  • Acts 6:11-13 (v3) Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the…
  • Acts 7:59-60 (v6) They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t…
  • Acts 13:38-39 (v2) Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins, and by him everyone who believes is…
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 (v6) We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  • Ephesians 4:32 (v6) And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
  • Colossians 3:13 (v6) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

87 distinct cross-references across this passage (89 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (23 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2–3 Knowing by a manifest sign.

Knowing by a manifest sign.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–6 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv2–4 The history of this miracle is reported by Mar…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv2–4 Observe, 1. The patient, One sick of the palsy;…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–6 And behold, they brought to him a man sick…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6 Seeing their faith - Both that of the paralytic,…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2–6 Verse 2. Sick of the palsy] See Mt 4:24.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v3 Mat 9:3-8. Behold, certain of the scribes, (Luke adds,…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2–6 A man sick of the palsy - See the…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2–6 Thy sins are forgiven thee. We do not find…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2–6 2. Behold, they brought… palsy — It appears by…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 6 2. sick of the palsy] not “grievously tormented” (see…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–6 (2) Behold, they brought to him.—From the other Gospels…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–6 And, behold, they brought to him (proseferon autw). Bengel"s…
John A. Broadus 1886 · Public Domain On v2 Mat 9:2-34.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v6 But that ye may know that the Son of…
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv2–6 2. They brought to him a man sick of…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v2 Mat 9:2-8; Mar 2:1-12; & Luk 5:17-26. Mark: “And…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On v2 J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XXXV. Heals a…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv5–6 Sin. (See Scofield "Rom 3:23")
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv3, 6 The condemnation of the scribes:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v3 This marks the beginning of another event in the…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5, 6 9:3 Does he think he’s God? God alone could…
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