Luke Chapter 5 · Verse 20
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 13
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
4 of 13
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
αὐτῷ,
their
G846
αὐτῷ,
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτῷ,
their
G846
αὐτῷ,
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀφέωνταί
are forgiven
G863
ἀφέωνταί
are forgiven
Strong's:
G863
Word #:
9 of 13
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
Cross References
Acts 14:9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,Matthew 9:2And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.Colossians 3:13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.Mark 2:5When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.John 2:25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.Luke 7:48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Historical Context
Jewish theology connected some sickness to sin (John 9:2, though Jesus rejected automatic causation). Many believed Messiah would heal Israel spiritually and physically. Jesus' forgiveness pronouncement without requiring sacrifice shocked hearers—only God could forgive sin apart from temple atonement. His subsequent healing proved His authority to forgive—physical healing validated spiritual healing. The paralytic's friends' faith demonstrated in action (overcoming obstacles, taking radical measures) illustrates true faith's perseverance. Jesus honored their faith by healing their friend, teaching that intercessory faith matters.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' addressing sin before sickness teach about humanity's primary need and the gospel's priorities?
- How does Jesus' honoring the faith of the paralytic's friends illustrate the power and importance of intercessory faith and persistence?
Analysis & Commentary
When friends brought a paralytic to Jesus, 'when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.' Jesus responds not to the paralytic's faith but to the faith of those carrying him—faith demonstrated through determined effort (removing roof tiles to lower him). Significantly, Jesus addresses sin before disease, identifying spiritual need as primary. The declaration 'thy sins are forgiven' (Greek 'aphēōntai,' ἀφέωνται, perfect passive) claims divine prerogative—only God forgives sin. This bold claim triggers the scribes' accusation of blasphemy (v. 21), which Jesus then validates through healing.