Mt 9, 1-8 Courage, child, your sins are forgiven

Chapter 9

(Mt 9, 1-8) Courage, child, your sins are forgiven

[1] He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. [2] And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Courage, child, your sins are forgiven." [3] At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." [4] Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, "Why do you harbor evil thoughts? [5] Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? [6] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he then said to the paralytic, "Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home." [7] He rose and went home. [8] When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.

(CCC 1441) Only God forgives sins (Cf. Mk 2:7). Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, "The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven" (Mk 2:5, 10; Lk 7:48). Further, by virtue of his divine authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name (Cf. Jn 20:21-23).