5:21a
the scribes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Standard Bible 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:
(1) It means that the religious leaders were reasoning and questioning within themselves (in their thoughts). For example:
began to think this over (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version)
(2) It means that the religious leaders were questioning one another out loud. For example:
began to question, saying (Revised Standard Version)
(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version)
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?: 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! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? (New Century Version)
-or-
This person is dishonoring/spoiling God’s name. Who is he?
• As an exclamation. For example:
This man dishonors/insults God!
-or-
Jesus must think he is God! (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
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 Berean Standard Bible 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
-or-
dishonors/insults God
-or-
dishonors/insults God by speaking as if he were God
5:21c
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? (New Living Translation (1996))
• As an exclamation. For example:
No one except God can forgive sins!
-or-
Only God can forgive sins. (New Century Version)
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!
-or-
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.
-or-
This man insults God ⌊by claiming to do something that only God can do⌋. ⌊We all know that⌋ only God can forgive sins.
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