Matthew 9
3 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; your sins be forgiven you.
4 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemes.
5 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think you evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk?
6 But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up your bed, and go unto your house.
7 And he arose, and departed to his house.
8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Bear in mind that the miracle was written for us:
John 20
31 These are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through his name.
The scribes did not believe that Jesus could forgive sin. In order to show that he had power to forgive sins, he healed the palsied man. This miracle was wrought for the express purpose of illustrating the work of forgiving sin, and demonstrating its power. Jesus said to the palsied man,
Matthew 9
6 …Arise, take up your bed, and go unto your house.
This was done that they and we might know his power to forgive sin.
Therefore the power exhibited in the healing of that man is the power
bestowed in the forgiveness of sin." E.J. Waggoner
