Chapter 4
18. Criticism of Free Forgiveness for Sin
And when Jesus entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was noised that he was in the house. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, no, not even about the door.
And Jesus was teaching. And there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem.
And behold, men bring on a bed a man that was palsied: and they sought to bring him in, and to lay him before Jesus. And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak? He blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?
And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned with themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Man hath authority on earth to forgive sins.
Then Jesus saith to the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they glorified God, which had given such authority unto men.
19. Criticism for Association with Sinners
And Jesus went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitudes resorted unto him, and he taught them.
And as Jesus passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the place of toll, and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that he was sitting at meat in his house, and many publicans and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that Jesus was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners. And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,
They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy and not sacrifice.
20. Criticism of Attitude Toward Fasting
And John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting: and they come and say unto Jesus, Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
And Jesus said unto them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast.
And it came to pass, that Jesus was going on the Sabbath day through the cornfields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?
And Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him? How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests, and gave also to them that were with him?
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless?
And Jesus said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: so that man is lord even of the Sabbath.
22. Culmination of Criticism of Jesus
And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against Jesus, how they might destroy him.
And Jesus spake also parables unto them:
No man rendeth a piece from a new garment and putteth it upon an old garment; else he will rend the new, and also the piece from the new will not agree with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old wineskins; else the new wine will burst the skins, and itself will be spilled, and the skins will perish. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
And no man having drunk old wine desireth new: for he saith, The old is good.