LUKE 5:21 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) “Who’s this guy who’s insulting God?” the teachers and Pharisees started to say among themselves. “Only God is able to forgive sins.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And the scribes and the Pharisees began to debate, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?”

UST The teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “This man insults God by saying that! Nobody except God can forgive sins!”

BLB And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins, except God alone?"

AICNT And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason [[in their hearts]],[fn] saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins {but God alone}?”[fn]

5:21, in their hearts: Some manuscripts include. D(05) Latin(a e it)

5:21, but God alone: D(05) reads “except one, God.”

OEB The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began debating about this. ‘Who is this man who speaks so blasphemously?’ they asked. ‘Who can forgive sins except God?’

WEBBE The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

LSV And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks evil words? Who is able to forgive sins, except God only?”

FBV The religious teachers and the Pharisees began to argue with that. “Who is this who's speaking blasphemies?” they asked. “Who can forgive sins? Only God can do that!”

TCNT But the scribes and the Pharisees began to question what Jesus said: “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

T4T The men who taught the Jewish laws and the rest of the Pharisees began to think within themselves, “Who does this man think he is, saying that? He is insulting God! ◄Nobody can forgive sins!/What person can forgive sins?► [RHQ] Only God can do that!”

LEB And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?”

BBE And the scribes and Pharisees were having an argument, saying, Who is this, who has no respect for God? who is able to give forgiveness for sins, but God only?

Moff Then the scribes and Pharisees began to argue, "Who is this blasphemer? Who can forgive sins, who but God alone?"

Wymth Then the Scribes and Pharisees began to cavil, asking, "Who is this, uttering blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?"

ASV And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

DRA And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

YLT And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this that doth speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins, except God only?'

Drby And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason [in their minds], saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins but [fn]God alone?

5.21 Elohim

RV And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
(And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh/speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? )

SLT And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason with themselves, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can remit sins but God alone?

Wbstr And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?

KJB-1769 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
(And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh/speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? )

KJB-1611 And the Scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgiue sinnes, but God alone?
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps And the scribes and the pharisees, began to thynke, saying: What felowe is this, which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgeue sinnes but God only?
(And the scribes and the Pharisees, began to thynke, saying: What fellow is this, which speaketh/speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?)

Gnva Then the Scribes and the Pharises began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? who can forgiue sinnes, but God onely?
(Then the Scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh/speaks blasphemies? who can forgive sins, but God onely? )

Cvdl And the scrybes and pharyses begane to thynke, & saide: What is he this, yt speaketh blasphemy. Who ca forgeue synnes, but onely God?
(And the scribes and pharyses began to thynke, and said: What is he this, it speaketh/speaks blasphemy. Who can forgive sins, but only God?)

TNT And the Scribes and the Parises begane to thinke sayinge: What felow is this which speaketh blasphemy? Who can forgeve synnes but God only?
(And the Scribes and the Parises began to think saying: What fellow is this which speaketh/speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God only? )

Wycl And the scribis and Farisees bigunnen to thenke, seiynge, Who is this, that spekith blasfemyes? who may foryyue synnes, but God aloone?
(And the scribes and Pharisees began to thenke, saying, Who is this, that speaketh/speaks blasphemies? who may forgive sins, but God alone?)

Luth Und die Schriftgelehrten und Pharisäer fingen an zu denken und sprachen: Wer ist der, daß er Gotteslästerung redet? Wer kann Sünden vergeben denn allein GOtt?
(And the scribes and Pharisees started at/to to/for think and said: Who is the/of_the_(one), that he blasphemy/profanity talks? Who can sins(n) forgive because/than alone God?)

ClVg Et cœperunt cogitare scribæ et pharisæi, dicentes: Quis est hic, qui loquitur blasphemias? quis potest dimittere peccata, nisi solus Deus?[fn]
(And they_began to_think scribes/clerks and Pharisees, saying: Who it_is this/here, who/which speaks blasphemys? who/any can to_release sins, except alone God? )

5.21 Quis potest dimittere? Nemo dimittit peccata nisi Deus, qui per eos quoque dimittit quibus potestatem dimittendi dedit. Cum ergo Christus dimittat, vere Deus probatur. Verum testimonium Deo reddunt, sed personam Christi negando falluntur. Perfidia enim confiteri potest, credere non potest. Itaque testimonium non deest Divinitati, fides deest saluti. Deus autem volens salvos facere peccatores, et occultorum cognitione se Deum esse demonstrat, et admiratione factorum illis respondens: Quid cogitatis mala in cordibus vestris? Eadem majestate et potentia qua cogitationes vestras intueor, possum hominibus delicta dimittere. Ex vobis intelligite quid paralyticus consequatur. Sed quia spiritualem gratiam non cognoscitis, nec creditis quod interius factum est, probetur signo visibili quod non minoris constet esse potentiæ, ut in Filio hominis latentem cognoscatis potentiam majestatis qua potest peccata dimittere ut Deus.

5.21 Who can to_release? Nobody dismisses sins except God, who/which through them too dismisses to_whom power let_gondi he_gave. Since therefore Christ/Messiah dimittat, really/truly God approved. Verum testimony to_God they_return, but person of_Christ negando falluntur. Perfidia because to_confess can, to_believe not/no can. Itaque testimony not/no is_missing Divinitati, faith is_missing saluti. God however willing salvos to_do sinners, and hiderum knowledge himself God to_be demonstrates, and admiratione donerum to_them responding: What thinksis evil in/into/on hearts yours? Eadem majesty and power which thoughts your intueor, I_can to_humans offences to_release. From to_you(pl) understand what paralyticus follow. But because spiritual grace not/no you_know, but_not you_believe that inside done it_is, approveur sign/seal(v) visibili that not/no minors constet to_be of_power, as in/into/on Filio of_man latentem let_him_knowis power majesty which can sins to_release as God.

UGNT καὶ ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι λέγοντες, τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας? τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ Θεός?
(kai aʸrxanto dialogizesthai hoi grammateis kai hoi Farisaioi legontes, tis estin houtos hos lalei blasfaʸmias? tis dunatai afienai hamartias ei maʸ monos ho Theos?)

SBL-GNT καὶ ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι λέγοντες· Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; τίς δύναται ⸂ἁμαρτίας ἀφεῖναι⸃ εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ θεός;
(kai aʸrxanto dialogizesthai hoi grammateis kai hoi Farisaioi legontes; Tis estin houtos hos lalei blasfaʸmias; tis dunatai ⸂hamartias afeinai⸃ ei maʸ monos ho theos;)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, λέγοντες, Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; Τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας, εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ θεός;
(Kai aʸrxanto dialogizesthai hoi grammateis kai hoi Farisaioi, legontes, Tis estin houtos hos lalei blasfaʸmias; Tis dunatai afienai hamartias, ei maʸ monos ho theos;)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, λέγοντες, Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας; Τίς δύναται [fn]ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας, εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ Θεός;
(Kai aʸrxanto dialogizesthai hoi grammateis kai hoi Farisaioi, legontes, Tis estin houtos hos lalei blasfaʸmias; Tis dunatai afienai hamartias, ei maʸ monos ho Theos; )

5:21 αφιεναι αμαρτιας ¦ αμαρτιας αφειναι CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:17–26: Jesus healed a paralyzed man

In this section, Luke focused on Jesus’ authority. Jesus used his authority from God to forgive the paralyzed man’s sins. The religious leaders questioned that authority. Jesus proved his authority to forgive sin when he healed the paralyzed man.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus showed that he had authority to forgive sins

Jesus forgave the sins of a paralyzed man and healed him

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 9:1–8 and Mark 2:1–12.

5:21a

But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves,

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law thought/reasoned in their minds/hearts:
The experts in the law and the Pharisees thought to themselves,

the scribes: The Greek word that the BSB translates literally as the scribes is not the same word that is used in 5:17b, but it refers to the same people. The original work of these men was to write copies of the laws of Moses. In Jesus’ time, their main task was to study, interpret, and teach the laws of Moses as well as related Jewish laws and traditions.

Translate this word in the same way as you did in 5:17b. See teacher of the law in the Glossary.

Pharisees: The word Pharisees also occurs in 5:17b. Translate here as you did there.

began thinking to themselves: The Greek word that the BSB translates as thinking to themselves means “to think, reason, or discuss something thoroughly.” There are two ways to interpret the meaning of the word in this context:

It means that the religious leaders were reasoning and questioning within themselves (in their thoughts). For example:
began to think this over (NJB) (BSB, NIV, NET, NJB, GW, NCV, GNT, NCV)
It means that the religious leaders were questioning one another out loud. For example:
began to question, saying (RSV) (KJV, NASB, RSV, REB, NLT, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is implied by 5:22a. Mark 2:6 also implies that the religious leaders did not discuss this out loud but only thought these things about Jesus.

5:21b

“Who is this man who speaks blasphemy?

“Who is this man who dishonors/insults God?
“Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? (NCV)
“This man has no authority to talk like that! He does not honor God.

Who is this man who speaks blasphemy?: This is a rhetorical question. Luke wrote the thoughts of the religious leaders using the form of a rhetorical question. They thought that when Jesus told the man that his sins were forgiven, he was blaspheming God. In their minds, they were criticizing Jesus.

Some ways to translate this criticism are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! (NLT)
Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? (NCV)
This person is dishonoring/spoiling God’s name. Who is he?
As an exclamation. For example:
This man dishonors/insults God!
Jesus must think he is God! (CEV)
This man has no authority to act like he is God!

Translate these thoughts of criticism in a way that is natural in your language.

speaks blasphemy: The Greek words that the BSB translates as speaks blasphemy here mean to speak against God or to dishonor him in a serious way. In this context the Pharisees and the teachers of the law accused Jesus of dishonoring God. They thought that he was dishonoring God by trying to do something that only God had the authority and ability to do. Some other ways to translate this are:

speaks irreverently

dishonors/insults God

dishonors/insults God by speaking as if he were God

5:21c

Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Who besides God can forgive sins?” (GW)
God is the only one who can forgive sins!” (GNT)

Who can forgive sins but God alone?: This is another rhetorical question. It expresses another part of what the religious leaders thought. The religious leaders were very angry at Jesus. They were shocked that Jesus was claiming to be God and to have God’s authority. The rhetorical question emphasized that God is the only one who has authority to forgive sins.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Who but God can forgive sins? (NLT96)
As an exclamation. For example:
No one except God can forgive sins!
Only God can forgive sins. (NCV)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

forgive sins: See the note at 5:20b.

General Comment on 5:21b–c

The reason the religious leaders criticized Jesus is stated after the criticism. You may need to reorder this in your language to state the reason first. For example:

No one except God can forgive sins! He is speaking blasphemy!

Who does he think he is? God? That’s blasphemy!

You could also combine parts of 5:21b–c to make the relationship between speaking blasphemy and forgiving sins clear. For example:

Who is this man who dishonors God by claiming to forgive sins? Only God can do that.

This man insults God by claiming to do something that only God can do. We all know that only God can forgive sins.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

οἱ γραμματεῖς

the scribes

Here and elsewhere in the book, the term the scribes does not refer to people who make copies of documents. Rather, it refers to people who were teachers of the Jewish law, which they had studied extensively. Alternate translation: [the teachers of the Jewish law]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

διαλογίζεσθαι

˓to_be˒_reasoning

These men were not debating or arguing out loud, since the next verse shows that this was rather something they were thinking. So this implicitly means that they were wondering. Alternate translation: [to wonder]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / quotemarks

λέγοντες

saying

Luke uses the word saying to introduce his quotation of what the religious leaders were thinking. If you indicate the quotation in some other way, such as with quotation marks or with some other punctuation or convention that your language uses, you do not need to represent this word in your translation.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὃς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἤρξαντο διαλογίζεσθαι οἱ γραμματεῖς καί οἱ Φαρισαῖοι λέγοντες Τίς ἐστίν οὗτος ὅς λαλεῖ βλασφημίας Τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μή μόνος ὁ Θεός)

These religious leaders do not expect someone to tell them who Jesus is. Instead, they are using the question form to emphasize how inappropriate they think it is for Jesus to tell someone that he forgives their sins. As the next sentence explains, they think this means Jesus was claiming to be God, and so in their view, he would be speaking blasphemies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate their words as a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: [This man is speaking blasphemies!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ μόνος ὁ Θεός?

Once again the religious leaders are using a question form for emphasis, and you can translate their words as a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: [No one can forgive sins but God alone!]

Parallel LUKE 5:21

Section 5:17–26: Jesus healed a paralyzed man

5:21a

5:21b

5:21c

General Comment on 5:21b–c