Bible Strands
Matthew 9:3
On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Some scribes observe Jesus forgiving a paralytic’s sins and voice their private judgment to themselves.
The words — The text highlights ἑαυτοῖς (heautois, “themselves”) to mark the scribes’ internal location, and εἶπαν (eipan, “said”) records their declaration.
The thread — This internal accusation of blasphemy reappears in Luke 5:21 and culminates in the high priest’s public charge in Matthew 26:65, echoing the execution mandate of Leviticus 24:16.
Why it lands — It forces a reader to confront the immediate clash between Jesus’ claimed authority to forgive sins and the scribes’ strict boundary around divine prerogative.
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
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:65 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
- Leviticus 24:16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death; the whole assembly must surely stone him, whether he is a foreign resident or native; if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.
- Luke 5:21 But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
- Mark 2:6 But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts,
- Mark 14:64 You have heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?” And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.
- Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
- John 10:33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
- Matthew 7:29 because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
- Mark 7:21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
- Acts 6:11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”