3
Then some teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is saying a very evil thing!"
4
Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, "Why do you have evil thoughts in your hearts?
5
Is it easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
6
I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then he spoke to the man who could not walk. "Get up," he said. "Take your mat and go home."
7
The man got up and went home.
8
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with wonder. They praised God for giving that kind of authority to men.
Jesus Chooses Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him.
10
Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house. Many tax collectors and "sinners" came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples.
11
The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12
Jesus heard that. So he said, "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor. Sick people do.
13
Go and learn what this means, 'I want mercy and not sacrifice.'(Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me."