The Meaning of Mark 2:7 Explained

Mark 2:7

KJV: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

YLT: Why doth this one thus speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins except one -- God?'

Darby: Why does this man thus speak? he blasphemes. Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?

ASV: Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Why  doth  this  [man] thus  speak  blasphemies?  who  can  forgive  sins  but  God  only? 

What does Mark 2:7 Mean?

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 2:7

He blasphemeth [βλασπημει]
This is the unspoken charge in their hearts which Jesus read like an open book. The correct text here has this verb. They justify the charge with the conviction that God alone has the power (δυναται — dunatai) to forgive sins. The word βλασπημεω — blasphēmeō means injurious speech or slander. It was, they held, blasphemy for Jesus to assume this divine prerogative. Their logic was correct. The only flaw in it was the possibility that Jesus held a peculiar relation to God which justified his claim. So the two forces clash here as now on the deity of Christ Jesus. Knowing full well that he had exercised the prerogative of God in forgiving the man‘s sins he proceeds to justify his claim by healing the man. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 2:7 mean?

Why this [man] thus does speak He blasphemes Who is able to forgive sins if not alone - God
Τί οὗτος οὕτως λαλεῖ βλασφημεῖ τίς δύναται ἀφιέναι ἁμαρτίας εἰ μὴ εἷς Θεός

Τί  Why 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
οὗτος  this  [man] 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
οὕτως  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
λαλεῖ  does  speak 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
βλασφημεῖ  He  blasphemes 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.
δύναται  is  able 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δύναμαι  
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
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.
εἷς  alone 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεός  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.