Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:6

What does Matthew 9:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:6 means

To definitively prove His authority to forgive sins on earth, Jesus publicly commands the paralytic to rise, take his bed, and go home. This visible, undeniable miracle serves as irrefutable proof to the assembled crowd and the skeptical scribes that He possesses both the power to heal and the divine prerogative to forgive sins. This act confirms His identity as the "Son of man," a messianic title indicating both His humanity and divine authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (then saith he to the sick of the palsy), Arise, and take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But so that you may see that on earth the Son of man has authority for the forgiveness of sins, (then said he to the man who was ill,) Get up, and take up your bed, and go to your house.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`But, that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power upon the earth to forgive sins--(then saith he to the paralytic) --having risen, take up thy couch, and go to thy house.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (then he says to the paralytic,) Rise up, take up thy bed and go to thy house.

Context

This verse is the climax of the healing narrative and the theological debate with the scribes. It directly follows Jesus' rhetorical question about the ease of forgiving sins versus healing. This public command to the paralytic is the tangible evidence, designed to silence the critics and visibly confirm Jesus' prior declaration of forgiveness, thereby establishing His divine authority before all present.

v.5For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?

v.6This passage

v.7And he arose, and departed to his house.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Micah 7:18

    Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.

  • Colossians 3:13

    forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

  • John 10:28

    and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.

  • Isaiah 43:25

    I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and I will not remember thy sins.

  • Acts 9:34

    And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.

  • Matthew 9:5

    For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?

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