Luke 5:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Seeing their faith, Jesus tells the man that his sins are forgiven.
What Does Luke 5:20 Mean?
Jesus looks up at the opened roof and 'saw their faith' — faith made visible in tiles lifted and ropes lowered. Then he speaks to the man on the couch and addresses not the legs but the soul: 'Man, thy sins are forgiven thee' — the burden no friend could carry for him.
Two things shine here. Faith, in this Gospel, is something that can be seen — it acts, climbs, digs, and lowers. And Christ sees deeper needs than the ones we carry to him: before he restores the body, he releases the conscience. The friends sought a healing; Jesus begins with the gift every soul needs most, the full forgiveness of sins.
Luke 5:20 in the Original Language
pistis (πίστις), 'faith' -- trust; confidence placed in another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:20
What does Luke 5:20 mean?
Seeing their faith, Jesus tells the man that his sins are forgiven.