Devine Scripture

Mark 2:10

What does Mark 2:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 2:10 means

Jesus then made a clear declaration of His identity and authority: "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins..." He intended to prove this claim through a visible miracle. The title "Son of man" is a significant Messianic designation, pointing to both His humanity and His divine appointment from Daniel 7. His assertion of authority "on earth" to forgive sins directly counters the scribes' belief that only God in heaven could do so.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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,)

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But so that you may see that the Son of man has authority for the forgiveness of sins on earth, (he said to the man,)

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And, that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority on the earth to forgive sins--(he saith to the paralytic) --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy):

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic,

Context

This verse delivers the crucial theological statement, directly following Jesus' rhetorical question in verse 9. It explicitly states His purpose: to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, rooting it in His identity as the Son of Man. This declaration is a direct challenge to the scribes' unspoken accusations and introduces the miraculous act that will serve as irrefutable proof of His divine power, leading into the healing command.

v.9Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

v.10This passage

v.11I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.

Cross references

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

  • John 5:20

    For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and greater works than these will he show him, that ye may marvel.

  • Matthew 16:13

    Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?

  • Matthew 9:6

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;

  • Daniel 7:13

    I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

  • Acts 5:31

    Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.

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