The Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12 * Luke 5:17-26). Mt. here resumes Mk.'s order; Matthew 8:18 *. As usual he condenses the narrative, saying nothing of the dense crowd round the house or of the device employed by the sick man's friends. For faith winning blessings for others cf. Matthew 8:13, James 5:15. The beginnings of official opposition are seen in Matthew 9:3, they culminate in Matthew 12:14-24. The question in Matthew 9:5 implies that it is equally difficult to say effectually either thy sins are forgiven or arise and walk for suffering was universally held to be the sequence of sin (cf John 9:2), and the only possible proof of forgiveness would be a cure. It is quite permissible to take Son of Man in Matthew 9:6 as meaning man, but human ability to forgive sins is delegated authority (Matthew 9:8) rather than inherent power.
Related Commentaries of Matthew 9:1
Matthew 9:1-8
1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy;Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said,Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.