The Healing of the Paralytic (9:1-8).
We come now to the third of these revelations of Jesus' authority. He has revealed His authority over some of the most powerful forces of this world, He has revealed His authority over the powers of the supernatural world, and now He will reveal His authority over man's greatest enemy, sin. He is thereby revealed as the complete Saviour, and especially the Saviour from sin (Matthew 1:21). And here we learn that all that is necessary for the redemption of His own from among mankind is now in place.
Furthermore as a result of this those who follow Him will now know that He can protect them from all evil, both physical and spiritual, and will now learn that He is among them as the forgiver of sins. In the words of the Psalmist, ‘Do not forget all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies' (Psalms 103:3-4). Forgiveness of sins has always been of first importance in God's eyes. And it was to be a part of the Messianic blessing (Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22).
Analysis.
a And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city (Matthew 9:1).
b And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed (Matthew 9:2 a).
c And Jesus seeing their faith said to the sick of the palsy, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2 b).
d And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, “This man is blaspheming” (Matthew 9:3).
e And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4).
d ‘For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Arise, and walk?” ' (Matthew 9:5).
c “But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (then he says to the sick of the palsy), “Arise, and take up your bed, and go up to your house” (Matthew 9:6).
b And he arose, and departed to his house (Matthew 9:7).
a But when the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men (Matthew 9:8).
Note that in ‘a' Jesus enters into a boat, crosses over the sea and comes to His own city, and in the parallel His actions result in the glorifying of God. Compare Matthew 8:23; Matthew 8:27 where He similarly entered a boat and it again resulted in men marvelling. His journeys all had a purpose. In ‘b' the man is brought to Him, and in the parallel the man walks out on his own. In ‘c' Jesus informs the man that he is forgiven, and in the parallel justifies it by His healing power. In ‘d' He is accused of blaspheming, and in the parallel He poses His defence. And centrally He expresses His distress at the evil in men's hearts.