On seeing thisThe context of this phrase is the healing of the paralytic, where Jesus not only heals the man physically but also forgives his sins. This act of forgiveness is what the scribes are reacting to. The scribes, experts in the Law, were present to observe Jesus' actions. Their role was to ensure that religious practices adhered to the Law of Moses. The phrase indicates their immediate reaction to Jesus' declaration of forgiveness, highlighting their role as religious authorities and their skepticism towards Jesus' authority.
some of the scribes said to themselves
The scribes were part of the Jewish religious leadership, often associated with the Pharisees. They were well-versed in the Scriptures and the Law, and their internal dialogue reflects their understanding of blasphemy as a serious offense. The phrase "said to themselves" suggests that their thoughts were not spoken aloud, indicating an internal judgment or reasoning process. This internal dialogue is significant as it reveals their disbelief and the beginning of the opposition Jesus would face from religious leaders.
“This man is blaspheming!”
Blasphemy, in Jewish law, was a grave sin, punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). It involved showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. By claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was perceived as assuming a divine prerogative, which the scribes believed was reserved for God alone. This accusation of blasphemy is pivotal, as it foreshadows the charges that would later be brought against Jesus leading to His crucifixion. The scribes' reaction underscores the tension between Jesus' divine authority and the established religious order. This moment also connects to other instances where Jesus' authority is questioned, such as inJohn 10:33, where the Jews accuse Him of blasphemy for claiming to be one with the Father.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching and performing miracles, demonstrating His authority and divinity.
2.
ScribesReligious leaders and experts in the Jewish law who are present and questioning Jesus' authority.
3.
CapernaumThe town where this event takes place, often serving as a base for Jesus' ministry in Galilee.
4.
Paralytic ManThe individual brought to Jesus for healing, whose sins Jesus forgives, prompting the scribes' reaction.
Teaching Points
Authority of JesusJesus demonstrates His divine authority by forgiving sins, a prerogative of God alone. This challenges us to recognize and submit to His authority in our lives.
Heart AttitudeThe scribes' reaction reveals a heart of skepticism and unbelief. We are encouraged to examine our own hearts for similar attitudes that may hinder our faith.
Faith and ForgivenessThe healing of the paralytic underscores the connection between faith and forgiveness. We are reminded of the importance of faith in receiving God's grace.
Divine InsightJesus' awareness of the scribes' thoughts highlights His omniscience. We are called to live transparently before God, who knows our innermost thoughts.
Witnessing to SkepticsJesus' interaction with the scribes provides a model for engaging with those who doubt or question our faith, emphasizing truth and compassion.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 9:3?
2.How does Matthew 9:3 challenge our understanding of Jesus' authority to forgive sins?
3.What does Matthew 9:3 reveal about the scribes' perception of Jesus' identity?
4.How can we guard against skepticism like the scribes in Matthew 9:3?
5.In what ways does Matthew 9:3 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
6.How should Matthew 9:3 influence our response to Jesus' divine authority today?
7.Why did the scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy in Matthew 9:3?
8.How does Matthew 9:3 challenge the authority of religious leaders?
9.What does Matthew 9:3 reveal about Jesus' identity and authority?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 9?
11.Didn't Jesus never actually claim to be God?
12.What does it mean to be pharisaical?
13.What is the Bible's stance on purgatory?
14.What does it mean to commit blasphemy?What Does Matthew 9:3 Mean
On seeing this• The “this” is the entire scene ofMatthew 9:2—Jesus telling a paralyzed man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
• Forgiveness of sins is an invisible act; the scribes could not test it, but they could see the paralytic still on his mat.
• Jesus’ words set the stage for a visible proof: healing that would confirm His unseen authority (Matthew 9:6;Mark 2:10–11).
• Similar moments where crowds witnessed undeniable works of God:Matthew 12:22–24;John 11:45–46.
• Scripture shows that faith responds with worship, but hardened hearts respond with criticism (John 9:13–16).
some of the scribes• Scribes were experts in the Law, often aligned with Pharisees (Matthew 5:20; 23:2).
• Their calling was to protect doctrine, yet many became defenders of religious tradition instead of divine revelation (Isaiah 29:13;Matthew 15:6).
• Not every scribe rejected Jesus (Matthew 13:52), but this group did, illustrating the divided response He consistently received (John 7:12).
• Their presence here signals an official evaluation of Jesus’ ministry, foreshadowing later opposition (Matthew 21:15;Luke 19:47).
said to themselves• They did not voice their charge aloud; God reads even unspoken thoughts (Psalm 139:2;Hebrews 4:13).
• Jesus immediately “knew their thoughts” (Matthew 9:4), displaying omniscience—an attribute of deity (John 2:24–25).
• Hidden unbelief is still accountable before God (Luke 12:2–3;Romans 2:16).
• The scene contrasts inner skepticism with the outward act of faith by the friends lowering the paralytic (Mark 2:4–5).
“This man is blaspheming!”• Under Mosaic Law, to claim divine prerogatives without being God was blasphemy and punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16).
• The scribes reasoned logically but wrongly: Only God can forgive sins (Isaiah 43:25); Jesus just forgave sins; therefore, if He is not God, He blasphemes (John 10:33).
• Jesus answered by healing the paralytic, proving the premise they overlooked—He is God in the flesh (Matthew 9:6–7;John 5:18–23).
• Their charge anticipates future accusations that will culminate at the cross (Matthew 26:65;Mark 14:64).
• Scripture consistently affirms Christ’s full deity, validating His right to forgive (Colossians 2:9;Titus 2:13).
summaryMatthew 9:3 captures a flashpoint: religious experts, witnessing Jesus forgive sins, silently accuse Him of blasphemy. Their reaction showcases how human tradition can blind hearts to God’s revealed Messiah. Jesus’ omniscience exposes their thoughts, and His forthcoming miracle will confirm His divine authority. The verse calls every reader to choose—stand with skeptical scribes or bow before the Son who truly forgives.
(3)
This man blasphemeth.--The words were but an echo of the charge that had been brought at Jerusalem, that "He made Himself equal with God" (
John 5:18), and may well have come from some of the same objectors. St. Mark and St. Luke give the grounds of their accusation: "What is this that this Man thus speaks? Who can forgive sins but One, that is, God?" Speaking abstractedly, they were affirming one of the first principles of all true religious belief. All sins are offences against God, and therefore, though men may forgive trespasses as far as they themselves are concerned, the ultimate act of forgiveness belongs to God only; and for a mere man, as such, to claim the right of forgiving thus absolutely, was to claim a divine attribute, and therefore to blaspheme--
i.e., to utter words as disparaging as open profaneness to the majesty of God. What they forgot to take into account was the possibility (1) that God might so far delegate His power to His chosen servants that they, on sufficient evidence of that delegation, might rightly declare sins to be forgiven; or (2) that the Teacher might Himself be one with God, and so share in His perfections and prerogatives. On either of these suppositions the charge of blasphemy was fully answered, and the sin of the scribes lay in their ignoring the fact that He had given sufficient proof of the former, if not of the latter also.
Verse 3. -
And certain of the scribes. From St. Luke's account (ver. 17) we learn that the miracle took place before a large assembly of "Pharisees and teachers of the Law, who had come out of every village of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem." 'Yet even among these there was a division (
τινές).
Said within themselves. So Mark, "reasoning in their hearts."
This man (
οῦτος). The word seems to convey a notion of contempt and of vindictive joy that they have caught him (cf. Mark,
τί οῦτος οὕτωςλαλεῖ; and perhaps
Matthew 12:24).
Blasphemeth (
βλασφημεῖ). In its fullest meaning; through assumption of Divine authority (so also
Matthew 26:65;
John 10:33, 36). "No passage of the Old Testament affirms that the Messiah himself will forgive sins. Thus Jesus ascribes to himself what even the highest Old Testament prophecies of the Messianic time had reserved to God;
e.g.Jeremiah 31:34;
Isaiah 43:25" (Kubel). Observe that Mark lays more stress upon the process of their thoughts, Matthew and Luke on the conclusion at which they arrived, Luke also indicating that the supposed sin had many parts (
λαλεῖβλασφημίας) - they thought, "Every word he has uttered is blasphemy."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
On seeing this,Καὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.someτινες(tines)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.scribesγραμματέων(grammateōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1122:From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.saidεἶπαν(eipan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.toἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.themselves,ἑαυτοῖς(heautois)Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438:Himself, herself, itself.“This [man]Οὗτος(Houtos)Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.is blaspheming!”βλασφημεῖ(blasphēmei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 987:From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 9:3 Behold some of the scribes said (Matt. Mat Mt) 
