Bible Strands
Mark 2:10
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the paralytic and the surrounding scribes immediately after asking which command is easier to issue. He delivers this declaration to precede His physical healing command.
The words — ἐξουσίαν (exousian) means "authority" and εἰδῆτε (eidēte) means "you may know." The text states Jesus possesses this authority on earth to forgive sins, using these terms to frame the miracle as proof.
The thread — The "Son of Man" title appears in Daniel 7:13 as a heavenly figure and in Matthew 9:6 as the speaker in the parallel account. Acts 5:31 later notes God exalted this same figure to grant forgiveness to Israel.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states Jesus claims the right to forgive sins while physically present. It requires the reader to assess His identity based on the authority He directly asserts.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Cross-references
- Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
- Matthew 9:6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
- Acts 5:31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
- John 5:20 The Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does. And to your amazement, He will show Him even greater works than these.
- Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
- 1 Timothy 1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.