The Meaning of Mark 2:10 Explained

Mark 2:10

KJV: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

YLT: And, that ye may know that the Son of Man hath authority on the earth to forgive sins -- (he saith to the paralytic) --

Darby: But that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, he says to the paralytic,

ASV: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he saith to the sick of the palsy),

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  that  ye may know  that  the Son  of man  hath  power  on  earth  to forgive  sins,  (he saith  to the sick of the palsy,  ) 

What does Mark 2:10 Mean?

Study Notes

Son of man
(See Scofield " Ezekiel 2:1 ") . Our Lord thus designates Himself about eighty times. It is His racial name as the representative Man, in the sense of 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 as Son of David is distinctly his Jewish name, and Son of God His divine name. Our Lord constantly uses this term as implying that his mission (e.g.); Matthew 11:19 ; Luke 19:10 . His death and resurrection (e.g.); Matthew 12:40 ; Matthew 20:18 ; Matthew 26:2 and His second coming (e.g.); Matthew 24:37-44 ; Luke 12:40 transcended in scope and result all merely Jewish imitations. When Nathanael confesses him as "King of Israel," our Lord's answer is, "Thou shalt see greater things.. . the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." When His messengers are cast out by the Jews, His thought leaps forward to the time when the Son of man shall come, not then to Israel only but to the race; Matthew 10:5 ; Matthew 10:6 ; Matthew 8:23 . It is in this name, also, that universal judgment is committed to Him John 5:22 ; John 5:27 . It is also a name indicating that in Him is fulfilled the O.T. foreview of blessing through a coming man. See Scofield " Genesis 1:26 "; Genesis 3:15 ; Genesis 12:3 ; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 80:17 ; Isaiah 7:14 ; Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 9:7 ; Isaiah 32:2 ; Zechariah 13:7 ; Isaiah 32:2 ; Zechariah 13:7 .

Context Summary

Mark 2:1-22 - The Friend Of Sinners
The leper, Mark 1:40-45. The news of Christ spread fast and far until it reached the outcasts from Jewish society, the very dregs of humanity. As the story of the wonderful miracles wrought by our Lord was pondered deeply by this man, He concluded that the only question which remained was that of Christ's willingness to hear. As to His power there could be no doubt. But no one of all the religious world of that time had ever thought of extending a helping hand to such as he. Note the instantaneousness of our Lord's response to this appeal. His love and power are commensurate; when you gauge the one, you have measured the other.
The paralytic, Mark 2:1-12. The disease had resulted from sin. It was necessary to deal with the soul before the body could be emancipated. As soon as we sin, God's pardon awaits our asking for it, and of this fact our Lord gave the paralytic man definite assurance. Jesus' right to speak was evidenced by His power to heal. If the latter was effectual, so was the former.
The sinner's friend, Mark 2:13-22. They thought to coin a term of reproach, but they added a crown of glory. In eternity the Friend of sinners will surround His table with saved sinners who have become His guests. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 2

1  Jesus followed by multitudes,
3  heals a paralytic;
13  calls Matthew;
15  eats with tax collectors and sinners;
18  excuses his disciples for not fasting;
23  and for picking the heads of grain on the Sabbath day

Greek Commentary for Mark 2:10

That ye may know [ινα ειδητε]
The scribes could have said either of the alternatives in Mark 2:9 with equal futility. Jesus could say either with equal effectiveness. In fact Jesus chose the harder first, the forgiveness which they could not see. So he now performs the miracle of healing which all could see, that all could know that (the Son of Man, Christ‘s favourite designation of himself, a claim to be the Messiah in terms that could not be easily attacked) he really had the authority and power (εχουσιαν — exousian) to forgive sins. He has the right and power here on earth to forgive sins, here and now without waiting for the day of judgment. [source]
He saith to the sick of the palsy [λεγει]
This remarkable parenthesis in the middle of the sentence occurs also in Matthew 9:6 and Luke 5:24, proof that both Matthew and Luke followed Mark‘s narrative. It is inconceivable that all three writers should independently have injected the same parenthesis at the same place. [source]
Power [ἐξουσίαν]
or better, authority, as Rev., in margin. The word is derived from ἔξεστι , it is permitted or lawful. It combines the ideas of right and might. Authority or right is the dominant meaning in the New Testament. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 2:10

Matthew 9:6 Then saith he to the sick of the palsy [τοτε λεγει τωι παραλυτικωι]
These words of course, were not spoken by Jesus. Curiously enough Matthew interjects them right in the midst of the sayings of Jesus in reply to the scorn of the scribes. Still more remarkable is the fact that Mark (Mark 2:10) has precisely the same words in the same place save that Matthew has added τοτε — tote of which he is fond, to what Mark already had. Mark, as we know, largely reports Peter‘s words and sees with Peter‘s eyes. Luke has the same idea in the same place without the vivid historical present λεγει ̔ειπεν τωι παραλελυμενωἰ — legei ‛eipen tōi paralelumenōi' with the participle in place of the adjective. This is one of the many proofs that both Matthew and Luke made use of Mark‘s Gospel each in his own way.Take up thy bed (αρον σου την κλινην — āron sou tēn klinēn). Pack up at once (aorist active imperative) the rolled-up pallet. [source]
John 1:12 Power [ἐξουσίαν]
Rev., the right. Six words are used for power in the:New Testament: βία , force, often oppressive, exhibiting itself in violence (Acts 5:26; Acts 27:41. Compare the kindred verb βιάζεται , Matthew 11:12; “the kingdom of heaven is taken by violence ): δύναμις , natural ability (see on 2 Peter 2:11): ἐνέργεια , energy, power in exercise; only of superhuman power, good or evil. Used by Paul only, and chiefly in the Epistles of the Imprisonment (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 2:12. Compare the kindred verb ἐνεργέω , to put forth power, and see on Mark 6:14; see on James 5:16): ἰσχύς , strength (see on 2 Peter 2:11. Compare the kindred verb ἰσχύω , to be strong, and see on Luke 14:30; see on Luke 16:3): κράτος , might, only of God, relative and manifested power, dominion (Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:16; 1 Peter 4:11. Compare the kindred verb κρατέω , to have power, to be master of, and see on Mark 7:3; see on Acts 3:11): ἐξουσία , liberty of action ( ἔξεστι , it is lawful ), authority, delegated or arbitrary (John 5:27; John 10:18; John 17:2; John 19:10, John 19:11. See on Mark 2:10; see on Luke 20:20). Here, therefore, ἐξουσία is not merely possibility or ability, but legitimate right derived from a competent source - the Word. [source]
Romans 13:1 Higher powers [ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις]
Lit., authorities which have themselves over. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12. [source]
Romans 13:1 To the higher powers [εχουσιαις υπερεχουσαις]
Abstract for concrete. See note on Mark 2:10 for εχουσια — exousia υπερεχω — Huperechō is an old verb to have or hold over, to be above or supreme, as in 1 Peter 2:13. Except by God (ει μη υπο τεου — ei mē hupo theou). So the best MSS. rather than απο τεου — apo theou (from God). God is the author of order, not anarchy. The powers that be “The existing authorities” (supply εχουσιαι — exousiai). Art ordained Periphrastic perfect passive indicative of τασσω — tassō “stand ordained by God.” Paul is not arguing for the divine right of kings or for any special form of government, but for government and order. Nor does he oppose here revolution for a change of government, but he does oppose all lawlessness and disorder. [source]
Romans 9:21 Power [ἐξουσίαν]
Or right. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12. [source]
1 Corinthians 6:12 Will - be brought under the power [ἐξουσιασθήσομαι]
From ἐξουσία powerof choice, permissive authority. See on Mark 2:10. This in turn is derived from ἔξεστι itis permitted. See above on are lawful. This kinship of the two words explains the play upon them. [source]
Colossians 1:13 Power [ἐξουσίας]
See on Mark 2:10. [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:9 Power [ἐξουσίαν]
Better, right. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12. [source]
Titus 3:1 Principalities and powers [ἀρχαῖς ἐξουσίαις]
Omit and. Principalities which are authorities. Ἁρχή beginning= that which begins: the leader, principality. See on Colossians 1:16; see on Judges 1:6; see on Acts 10:11. Only here in Pastorals. Ἑξουσία rightauthority. See on Mark 2:10; see on John 1:12; see on Colossians 1:16. Only here in Pastorals. For the combination principalities and powers, see on Luke 20:20. [source]
Revelation 6:8 Power [ἐξουσία]
See on Mark 2:10; see on 2 Peter 2:11. Rev., better, authority. [source]
Revelation 12:10 Power [ἐξουσία]
See on Mark 2:10. Rev., authority. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 2:10 mean?

That however you might know that authority has the Son - of Man to forgive sins on the earth He says to the paralytic
ἵνα δὲ εἰδῆτε ὅτι ἐξουσίαν ἔχει Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας» ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς» λέγει τῷ παραλυτικῷ

ἵνα  That 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
εἰδῆτε  you  might  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
ἐξουσίαν  authority 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
Υἱὸς  Son 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: υἱός  
Sense: a son.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπου  of  Man 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ἀφιέναι  to  forgive 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
ἁμαρτίας»  sins 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
γῆς»  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
λέγει  He  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
τῷ  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
παραλυτικῷ  paralytic 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: παραλυτικός 
Sense: paralytic.