Matthew 9 · Verse 3

Matthew 9:3

And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Matthew 9:3, King James Version

Matthew 9:3 in other translations

BSBOn seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
WEBBehold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”
ASVAnd behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
YLTAnd lo, certain of the scribes said within themselves, ‘This one doth speak evil.'
DARBYAnd behold, certain of the scribes said to themselves, This man blasphemes.
BBEAnd some of the scribes said among themselves, This man has no respect for God.
WebsterAnd behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

What does Matthew 9:3 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. This man blasphemeth. The word blaspheme originally means to speak evil of any one, to injure by words, to blame unjustly. When applied to God, it means to speak of him unjustly, to ascribe to him acts and attributes which he does not possess, or to speak impiously or profanely. It also means to say or do anything by which his name or honour is insulted, or which conveys an impress on unfavourable to God. It means, also, to attempt to do or say a thing which belongs to him alone, or which he only can do. This is its meaning here. Christ was charged with saying a thing in his own name, or attempting to do a thing which properly belonged to God; thus assuming the place of God, and doing him injury, as the scribes supposed, by an invasion of his prerogatives. "None," said they, (see Mark and Luke,) "can forgive sins but God only" In this they reasoned correctly. See Is 43:25, 44:22. None of the prophets had this power; and by saying that he forgave sins, Jesus was understood to affirm that he was Divine; and as he proved this by working a miracle expressly to confirm the claim, it follows that he is Divine, or equal with the Father.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 This man blasphemeth - Βλασφημεω comes either from βλαπτειν την φημην, to hurt or blast the reputation or credit of another, or from βαλλειν ταις φημαις, to smite with reports. Whenever it is used in reference to God, it simply signifies, to speak impiously of his nature, or attributes, or works. Injurious speaking is its proper translation when referred to man. The scribes were the literati of that time; and their learning, because not used in dependence on God, rendered them proud, envious, and obstinate. Unsanctified knowledge has still the same effect: that light serves only to blind and lead men out of the way which is not joined with uprightness of heart. The most sacred truths often become an occasion of delusion, where men are under the government of their evil passions.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 9:1-8

The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned: but…

Read the full comment on Matthew 9:1-8 →

Matthew 9:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἰδούidoubeholdG2400
τινεςtinessomeG5100
τῶνtōnof theG3588
γραμματέωνgrammateōnscribesG1122
εἶπανeipansaidG2036
ἐνentoG1722
ἑαυτοῖς·he'autoisthemselves;G1438
οὗτοςhoutosThis [man]G3778
βλασφημεῖ.blasphēmeiblasphemes!G987

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 9:3

  • Matthew 26:65

    Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

  • Leviticus 24:16

    And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.

  • Luke 5:21

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

  • Mark 14:64

    Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

  • John 10:33-36

    The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

  • Mark 2:6-7

    But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

  • Luke 7:39-40

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

  • Matthew 7:29

    For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

  • Mark 7:21

    For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

  • Acts 6:11-13

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
certain.
7:29; Mr 2:6,7; 7:21; Lu 5:21; 7:39,40
This.
26:65; Le 24:16; Mr 14:64; Joh 10:33-36; Ac 6:11-13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 9:2

    And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

  • Matthew 9:3

    And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

  • Matthew 9:4

    And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Read all of Matthew 9

Matthew 9:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y he aquí, algunos de los escribas decían dentro de sí: Este blasfema.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et voici, quelques-uns des scribes dirent en eux-mêmes: Cet homme blasphème.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und siehe, etliche von den Schriftgelehrten sprachen bei sich selbst: Dieser lästert.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Et ecce quidam de scribis dixerunt intra se: Hic blasphemat.