Luke 5:21

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then the experts in the Law of Moses and the Pharisees began to reason [in their minds], saying, “Who is this man who speaks things against God [i.e., by claiming the ability to forgive sins]? Who can forgive sins except God only?”

Cross References

Matthew 26:65

Then the head priest tore at his clothing [i.e., as an expression of frustration], saying, “He has spoken against God [i.e., by claiming Deity for Himself]. What additional need do we have for witnesses? Look, you [yourselves] have now heard him speaking against God.

Matthew 9:3

Seeing this, certain experts in the Law of Moses said to themselves, “This man is speaking against God.”

Luke 3:8

Demonstrate by your lives that you have [really] repented, and quit saying to yourselves, ‘We claim Abraham as our forefather,’ because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham’s children out of these stones.

Luke 5:17

And it happened on one of those days [in Capernaum. See Mark 2:1], as Jesus was teaching, that some Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] and teachers of the Law of Moses, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem, were sitting around [i.e., listening to Him]. And the power of the Lord was with Him, enabling Him to heal people.

Luke 5:22

But Jesus perceived their reasonings and answered them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

Luke 7:49

And those who were reclining at the [dinner] table with Him began saying among themselves, “Who is this person who can even forgive sins?”

John 10:33

The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech [i.e., about God], and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are [only] a man.”

Romans 8:33

Who will bring an accusation against God’s chosen people? [Certainly not God, for] He makes people right with Himself.