Matthew 9:2-8 (See also Luke 5:17-26.)

2 And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7 And he stood up and went to his home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings. (NRSV)

In these verses a man suffering from paralysis (KJV: palsy) is brought to Jesus. Jesus' role in these verses is the same as the role of a "Paraclete" (Advocate, Counselor, KJV: Comforter, Strong's <3875>), which is how Jesus is described in Joh 14:16 ("another" Advocate) and 1Jo 2:1 ("an advocate"). The Greek term aphiemi <Strong's 863>, translated 'to forgive,' in classical Greek is described by Colin Brown (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Volume 1, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1975, pages 697-698) as follows:

CL [classical Greek] aphiemi (derived from apo, from, and hiemi, to put in motion, send), attested since Homer, means .the voluntary release of a person or thing over which one has legal or actual control. In addition to the vb., the noun aphesis [forgiveness], discharge, setting free, is used from Plato onwards. In its fig. use aphiemi overlaps in meaning with pariemi (Homer), lit. to let drop, let by; fig., to let pass, allow (the noun paresis, since Hippocrates).

1. aphiemi is used in classical Gk. both in a lit. and in a fig. sense:

(a) With a personal object, to send forth, send away (of a woman, to divorce; of a meeting, to dissolve, end), to let go, to leave, dispatch; with an impersonal object, to loose (e.g. a ship into the sea), to discharge (e.g. arrows), to give up.

(b) In the fig. sense the vb. means to let alone, permit, let pass, neglect, give up... The legal use is important: to release from a legal bond (office, guilt, etc. and also, a woman from marriage...), to acquit (e.g. cancellation of criminal proceedings,...), to exempt (from guilt, obligation, punishment, etc.; e.g. pardon, or remision, etc.) All these meanings apply from Homer onward only to human relationships; they are not found in a religious sense.

Though the use of "to forgive" does not appear in classical Greek literature in the context of "to acquit"or "to exempt," that meaning does help explain Jesus' words and actions -- and his role as a defense attorney ("Paraclete"). In these verses Jesus announces the paralyzed man's acquital (forgiveness) from the allegations of and from the imprisoning sentence instigated by the prosecuting attorney, the Accuser, Satan or Devil.

For a further description of Paraclete, Advocate, Comforter, Counselor, Helper (Strong's <3875>), browse http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/comforter.htm.

Also see the article on Satan as "the accuser, the adversary, the opponent, the prosecution (in a legal case)" by browsing http://www.bibletexts.com/terms/satan.htm.

To further explore legal metaphors used in the Bible, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/courtroom-metaphors.htm.

To further explore Christian healing, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/christianhealing.htm.