Mt 9:1-8
1[Jesus] entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. 2And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” 3At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? 5Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 7He rose and went home. 8When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.
AUTHORITY GIVEN TO HUMAN BEINGS: The healing of the paralytic is both a sign and a proof that Jesus has authority to forgive sins. One cannot prove or disprove the power to forgive sins, but by performing an observable and irrefutable miracle (a major case), Jesus shows he likewise has the power to forgive (a minor case).
But what is remarkable here is the reaction of the crowd who glorify God for sharing the power of forgiveness not only with Jesus but with human beings as well! Matthew must be referring to the situation of the community of Christians after the resurrection of Jesus. Reconciliation and forgiveness of sins would be part of Christian life. Christians believe that they have been empowered by Jesus “to bind and to loose on earth” (Mt 18:18). As they are sent to proclaim the good news to all creation, they are given “all power” (Mt 28:18), and part of this power is the forgiveness of sins.