Matthew 9:3

3 And lo! some of the scribes said within themselves, This blasphemeth.

Matthew 9:3 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 9:3

And behold, certain of the Scribes said within themselves,
&c.] And of the Pharisees also, as Luke says; for there were at this time Pharisees and doctors of the law, who were come out of every town of Galilee and Judea, and out of Jerusalem, sitting and hearing him teach, and observing what he said, and did; who upon hearing him pronounce the sentence of pardon, upon this "paralytic" man, reasoned and concluded in their own minds, though they did not care to speak it out, that

this man blasphemeth:
the reason was, because they thought he ascribed that to himself, which was peculiar to God: and so he did, and yet did not blaspheme; because he himself was God, of which he quickly gave convincing proofs.

Matthew 9:3 In-Context

1 And Jesus went up into a boat, and passed over the water, and came into his city.
2 And lo! they brought to him a man sick in palsy, lying in a bed. And Jesus saw the faith of them, and said to the man sick in palsy, Son, have thou trust; thy sins be forgiven to thee [Forsooth Jesus, seeing the faith of them, said to the man sick in palsy, Son, have trust; thy sins be forgiven to thee].
3 And lo! some of the scribes said within themselves, This blasphemeth.
4 And when Jesus had seen their thoughts, he said, Whereto think ye evil things in your hearts?
5 What is lighter to say, Thy sins be forgiven to thee, either to say [or to say], Rise thou, and walk?
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.