Luke 5:24 kjv

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Luke 5:24 nkjv

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"?He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

Luke 5:24 niv

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."

Luke 5:24 esv

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" ? he said to the man who was paralyzed ? "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home."

Luke 5:24 nlt

So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"

Luke 5 verses

Luke 5 24 Meaning

Luke 5:24 encapsulates a pivotal moment where Jesus asserts His divine authority to forgive sins. He deliberately makes this pronouncement, knowing the silent accusations of blasphemy from the religious leaders present. To substantiate this unseen spiritual power, Jesus publicly commands a paralyzed man to rise and walk. The immediate and complete physical healing serves as undeniable, tangible proof that His claim of forgiving sins, a prerogative belonging to God alone, is true and valid. It is a profound declaration that Jesus, as the Son of Man, possesses this divine authority even on earth.

Luke 5 24 Context

Luke 5:24 occurs during Jesus' early ministry in Galilee. The preceding verses (Lk 5:17-23) describe the dramatic healing of a paralytic, brought by four men who famously lowered him through the roof because of the crowd. Jesus' initial response to the paralytic was not physical healing, but "Man, your sins are forgiven you." This provoked immediate internal murmuring from the scribes and Pharisees, who accused Him of blasphemy, reasoning that only God could forgive sins. Jesus, "perceiving their thoughts," directly challenged their reasoning. This sets the stage for verse 24, where Jesus articulates His authority as "the Son of Man" and uses the physical miracle to visibly validate His spiritual claim, compelling proof to an incredulous audience and especially to His adversaries. The event is a profound demonstration of Jesus' messianic power, directly challenging the religious establishment's understanding of authority and the divine prerogative.

Luke 5 24 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): Introduces a contrast or a change of subject. Here, it shifts from the religious leaders' inner thoughts to Jesus' response and demonstration of power. It signifies a direct confrontation to their unspoken challenge.

• that you may know (ἵνα εἰδῆτε - hina eidēte): A purpose clause. Jesus' ensuing action is not arbitrary but aims to reveal a truth. The verb eidēte implies a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding.

• that the Son of Man (ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - ho Huios tou anthrōpou): A key self-designation used by Jesus, linking Him to the figure in Dan 7:13-14. This title denotes both His genuine humanity and His transcendent, eschatological, and divine authority, including the power to judge and to forgive sins. It was intentionally ambiguous enough not to immediately draw a charge of sedition but profound enough to claim unique spiritual power.

• has authority (ἔχει ἐξουσίαν - echei exousian): Exousian is a strong term signifying rightful power, delegated power, or inherent authority and right. In this context, it refers to divine prerogative. The use of "has" (echei) indicates present, inherent possession of this authority.

• on earth (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - epi tēs gēs): This phrase is critical. It clarifies that Jesus' authority to forgive sins is not merely an eschatological power to be exercised in a future judgment, but is presently operative and exercised in the physical, temporal world. This directly countered the Jewish belief that sin forgiveness, apart from cultic rituals, was exclusively a heavenly, future act of God.

• to forgive sins (ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας - aphienai hamartias): Aphiénai means "to send away," "release," "remit," or "pardon." Hamartias refers to "sins," understood as missing the mark, moral failings, and rebellion against God. The claim to forgive sins directly challenged the prevailing belief that only God possessed this ultimate power (Isa 43:25).

• (he said to the paralytic): This is a parenthetical explanation clarifying who Jesus directly addressed after His public assertion of authority. It signifies the practical application of His declared authority.

• “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”: A powerful threefold command (ἀφίστημι, ἆρον, ὑπάγε – aphistēmi, aron, hupage) issued with absolute authority. These imperative verbs demonstrate the immediate and potent efficacy of Jesus' word.

  • "rise" (egeire): Command to awaken, stand up, signifying new life.
  • "pick up your bed" (aron sou to krabatton): An ordinary action proving complete healing and demanding physical exertion. It served as concrete proof of the miracle for both the man and the witnesses.
  • "go home" (hypage eis ton oikon sou): A return to normal life and testimony to his community.

• "that the Son of Man has authority...to forgive sins": This phrase combines the unique title "Son of Man" with the astonishing claim of "authority... to forgive sins." This grouping reveals Jesus' dual nature: His humanity (Son of Man, the earthly figure) and His divine prerogative (to forgive sins, a divine attribute). The purpose of the subsequent miracle is to publicly validate this precise claim, demonstrating that His spiritual power is no less real than His physical power.

Luke 5 24 Bonus section

The direct, public challenge issued by Jesus in this verse, backed by an undeniable miracle, marked a significant turning point in the religious leaders' antagonism toward Him. This event moved their suspicion from quiet contemplation to active opposition. It's not just a healing story but a powerful theological assertion about Jesus' deity. The "bed" (κράββατος - krabattos) itself was a small, poor man's pallet, emphasizing the humble origins of the man healed, yet highlighting the profound authority that could restore him. The crowd's reaction immediately after this verse (Lk 5:26), filled with awe and praising God, signifies the impact of this profound demonstration on the common people, who unlike the scribes, were ready to accept divine intervention when clearly presented.

Luke 5 24 Commentary

Luke 5:24 is the climax of Jesus' confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees. Their unspoken accusation of blasphemy, stemming from His declaration of sin forgiveness to the paralytic, directly prompts Jesus' public and verifiable demonstration. Jesus deliberately intertwines the spiritual (forgiveness) with the physical (healing) to irrefutably validate His unique identity and authority. He reveals Himself not merely as a prophet or healer, but as "the Son of Man" with the divine right to remit sins, exercised presently on earth. The miraculous healing serves as the tangible evidence, a "proof in the pudding," for His spiritual power, addressing both the inner skepticism of the religious elite and the need for public verification for all onlookers. It showcases the inseparability of salvation (forgiveness) and restoration (healing) under Christ's authority, signaling the arrival of God's Kingdom.