Luke 5:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The scribes and Pharisees inwardly accuse Jesus of blasphemy, reasoning that God alone can forgive sins.
What Does Luke 5:21 Mean?
The watching scholars begin to reason: 'Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?' Their premise is sound — sin is finally an offense against God, and pardon belongs to him. Their conclusion stalls because they will not ask the question their own logic raises: who, then, is this?
Without meaning to, the critics frame the Gospel's central question. If forgiveness is God's alone, and Jesus has just spoken forgiveness with authority, the scene presses toward an answer the scribes refuse to consider. Luke leaves their question standing open on purpose — every reader must finish it. Asked with a closed heart, it becomes an accusation; asked with an open one, it becomes worship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:21
What does Luke 5:21 mean?
The scribes and Pharisees inwardly accuse Jesus of blasphemy, reasoning that God alone can forgive sins.