Luke 5:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 5:20 mean?

Luke 5:20 shows Jesus responding to the faith of a group of people by telling a paralyzed man, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” The verse highlights that Jesus recognized their faith and, based on that, declared forgiveness to the man, rather than immediately addressing his physical condition.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a paralyzed man who has been lowered through the roof by his friends so he can reach Jesus. The verse emphasizes Jesus’ attention to the faith of the group (“their faith”) rather than just the individual. Instead of first healing the man’s body, Jesus addresses a deeper need by pronouncing forgiveness of sins, surprising those present and setting the stage for the events that follow.

The Greek behind Luke 5:20

• πίστις (pistis, “faith”): The word for “faith” here refers to trust or confidence. The Greek makes it clear that Jesus is responding to the collective faith of the group, not just the sick man’s own belief.
• ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, “Man”): This is a general term for a human being, not a formal or religious title. Jesus addresses the man personally and directly, showing care for him as an individual.
• ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, “forgiven”): This word means to send away or release. In this context, it is often understood as releasing someone from the burden or debt of sin, not just overlooking it.

Why Luke 5:20 matters

• Luke 5:20 shows that Jesus values and responds to faith, even when it is shown by a group on behalf of someone else, not just individual belief.
• The verse shifts the focus from physical healing to spiritual needs, revealing that forgiveness of sins is central to Jesus’ mission.
• By declaring forgiveness before healing, Jesus challenges the expectations of the crowd and religious leaders, leading to questions about his authority and identity in the following verses.