⁷ “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(A)

God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love

⁹ To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, but we have rebelled against him^(A)

²¹ Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(A)

²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.^{(A) 21} Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”^{(B) 22} When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”^(C)

⁴⁹ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

³³ The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human, are making yourself God.”^(A)