Mark 2:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The scribes silently accuse Jesus of blasphemy, since only God can forgive sins.
What Does Mark 2:7 Mean?
The scribes' inward objection takes shape: to forgive sins is to claim a divine prerogative, and for a mere man to do so would be blasphemy. Their premise is sound—forgiveness ultimately belongs to God, whom every sin offends. Their error is in failing to ask who this man truly is.
Without intending it, the scribes frame the deepest question of the Gospel. Only God can pardon sin, and Jesus has just pardoned it. The conclusion they refuse to draw is the very truth Mark is unfolding: in Jesus, God himself has drawn near to forgive. The right question, asked with an open heart, would have led them to worship rather than accusation.
Mark 2:7 in the Original Language
blasphemia (βλασφημία), 'blasphemies' -- speech that wrongfully claims or insults what belongs to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 2:7
What does Mark 2:7 mean?
The scribes silently accuse Jesus of blasphemy, since only God can forgive sins.