Mark 2:10

Mark 2:10, in plain English

Then Jesus said, 'I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' and He turned to the paralyzed man.

Why it's here

Jesus was about to let His actions speak for His words. The healing that followed wasn't just about one man's legs—it was proof that forgiveness is real and Jesus has the authority to give it.

Who's speaking

Jesus states the purpose of what He's about to do, then turns to the paralytic to demonstrate His authority.

Where it sits in the story

This is the moment everything came together. Jesus didn't just claim authority—He was about to prove it in a way no one in that room could deny.

The scholarly reading

Jesus explicitly stated His purpose: 'So that you may know (eidēte) that the Son of Man (ho huios tou anthrōpou) has authority (exousian) on earth to forgive sins'—then turned to address the paralytic.

Language and setting

This is the first occurrence of 'Son of Man' in Mark, Jesus' preferred self-designation drawn from Daniel 7:13-14, which combines humanity with divine authority and eschatological kingship.

Voice

Jesus makes a christological declaration about the Son of Man's earthly authority, then pivots to demonstrate it.

Significance

The title 'Son of Man' was deliberately ambiguous—it could mean simply 'a human being' or allude to Daniel's heavenly figure with universal dominion. Jesus let His actions define which meaning applied.

8At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.

9“Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

10But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic,

11“I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”

12And immediately the man got up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of them all. As a result, they were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Read all of Mark 2 — Jesus forgives sins, eats with outcasts, and lets his disciples skip fasting. The religious leaders can barely keep up with the offenses.