Amplified Bible
Luke 5:21
21The scribes and the Pharisees began to consider and question [the implications of what He had said], saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]? Who can forgive sins [that is, remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?”
Luke 5:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
- New International Version (NIV)The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Context of Luke 5:21
19But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof [and removed some tiles to make an opening] and lowered him through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. 20When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven.” The scribes and the Pharisees began to consider and question [the implications of what He had said], saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]? Who can forgive sins [that is, remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?” 22But Jesus, knowing their [hostile] thoughts, answered them, “Why are you questioning [these things] in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
Read all of Luke 5Luke 5:21 word by word
καὶ ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι λέγοντες· τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ἁμαρτίας ἀφεῖναι εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ θεός;¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- the scribesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus · scribeG1122
- the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
- beganἄρχομαιarchomai · to rule/beginG756
- to reasonδιαλογίζομαιdialogizomai · to discussG1260
- sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Whoτίςtis · which?G5101
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- speakethλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980
- blasphemiesβλασφημίαblasphēmia · blasphemyG988
- canδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
- forgiveἀφίημιaphiēmi · to release: forgiveG863
- sinsἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266
- ·εἰei · if: notG1487
- butμήmē · notG3361
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- aloneμόνοςmonos · aloneG3441
Cross-references for Luke 5:21
- Luke 5:17One day as He was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present with Him to heal.
- Luke 7:49Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
- Mark 2:6But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said],
- Leviticus 24:16Further, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall most certainly be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him. The stranger as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name [of the Lord].
- 1 Kings 21:10and seat two worthless and unprincipled men opposite him, and have them testify against him, saying, ‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- Matthew 9:3And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes [by claiming the rights and prerogatives of God]!”
- Matthew 26:65Then the high priest tore his robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy.
- John 10:33The Jews answered Him, “We are not going to stone You for a good work, but for blasphemy, because You, a mere man, make Yourself out to be God.”
- Acts 6:11Then [to attack him another way] they secretly instructed men to say, “We have heard this man [Stephen] speak blasphemous (slanderous, sacrilegious, abusive) words against Moses and against God.”
- Exodus 34:6Then the Lord passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness);
- Psalms 32:5I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my wickedness; I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
- Psalms 35:5Let them be [blown away] like chaff before the wind [worthless, without substance], With the angel of the Lord driving them on.
- Psalms 103:3Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases;
- Psalms 130:4But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder].
- Isaiah 1:18“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
- Isaiah 43:25“I, only I, am He who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Commentaries on Luke 5:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Who can forgive sins, but God alone? - If Jesus were not God, he could not forgive sins; and his arrogating this authority would have been blasphemy against God, in the most proper sense of the word. That these scribes and Pharisees might have the fullest proof of his Godhead, he works in their presence three miracles, which from their nature could only be effected by an omniscient and omnipotent Being. The miracles are: The remission of the poor man's…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17-26Verses 17-26 See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 9:1-7. Luke 5:17 On a certain day - The time and place are not particularly mentioned here, but from Matthew 9:1 it seems it was at Capernaum. Luke 5:19 The tiling - See the notes at Matthew 9:1-7.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-26Verses 17-26 How many are there in our assemblies, where the gospel is preached, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told them, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the paralytic. In applying to Christ, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith, and is very pleasing to Christ, and prevailing with him. Give us, Lord, the same…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-26The healing of the paralyzed man began the conflicts between Jesus and the religious leaders that continued through his public ministry until his crucifixion in Jerusalem.Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 5:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries