The Son of Man's Authority to Forgive Sins

The Bible says that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins; Matthew records this statement with a command to a paralyzed man to rise, take up his bed, and go home (Matthew 9:6). Luke likewise records the authority statement and command (Luke 5:24). Jesus tells a paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” in Matthew (Matthew 9:2). Luke records the words “Your sins are forgiven” addressed to her (Luke 7:48). Matthew and Luke ask which is easier: to say that sins are forgiven or to say, “Rise and walk” (Matthew 9:5; Luke 5:23). John speaks of forgiving or retaining sins (John 20:23). The word or idea recurs in at least 8 verses across 3 books and 4 episodes.