^45 (A)But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter ^(B)a town, but was out in ^(C)desolate places, and ^(D)people were coming to him from every quarter.

⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ⁷ “Why does this man speak like that? ^(A)He is blaspheming! ^(B)Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ⁸ And immediately Jesus, ^(C)perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that ^(D)the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— ¹¹ “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

The Pharisees Demand a Sign

^11 (A)The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, ^(B)seeking from him ^(C)a sign from heaven ^(D)to test him.

¹² And ^(A)he sighed deeply ^(B)in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

²⁹ And ^(A)those who passed by derided him, ^(B)wagging their heads and saying, ^(C)“Aha! ^(D)You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰ save yourself, and come down from the cross!” ³¹ So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, ^(E)“He saved others; ^(F)he cannot save himself. ³² Let ^(G)the Christ, ^(H)the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may ^(I)see and believe.” ^(J)Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

³⁸ and ^(A)you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.

⁴⁰ yet ^(A)you refuse to come to me that you may have life.