When Jesus forgave a man’s sins, the scribes asked: “who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7). Many still argue the same way. Only God can forgive, Jesus forgives, so Jesus is God. The same is said of His right to judge and to search the hearts. But Scripture answers the question itself, again and again, with one word: given.

Daniel 7:13-14

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Daniel 7:13-14

Here are two persons. The Ancient of days gives. The Son of man receives. His rule over all nations is something given to him.

Matthew 9:6-8

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins… But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

Matthew 9:6, 8

Mark leaves the scribes’ question hanging. Matthew tells the same story and gives the answer. The people who saw it did not say, “He must be God.” They praised God, because God had given such power to men. The word for “power” means authority, the kind that is handed to someone. God gave it. A man received it. God got the glory.

Matthew 28:18

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Matthew 28:18

Jesus says it Himself: all His authority was given to Him. And Paul adds the plain rule: when all things are put under Him, “it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him” (1 Corinthians 15:27). The one who gives stands outside the gift. All authority, given, is never being equal with the Giver.

John 20:21-23

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

John 20:21-23

Jesus hands the same authority to forgive on to His apostles. That could not happen if only someone who is God could hold it.

Acts 5:31

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Acts 5:31

God is the source. The man He lifted up is the one through whom forgiveness comes.

John 5:22, 27, Acts 10:42 and Acts 17:31

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son… And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

John 5:22, 27

Judging is given too. And Jesus says why: “because he is the Son of man.” If judging were something He had by being God, it would not need to be given, and being a man would be the wrong reason to give it.

“…to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”

Acts 10:42

“…he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

Acts 17:31

Peter says it in a Roman soldier’s house. Paul says it to the thinkers of Athens. God appoints, and the judge is appointed. Paul names who it is: a man. And the proof God gives is that He raised him from the dead. Judgment is passed on as well: the twelve “shall sit upon twelve thrones” (Matthew 19:28), and “the saints shall judge the world” (1 Corinthians 6:2).

Revelation 2:23, 2:26-27 and 1:1

“…and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”

Revelation 2:23

Scripture says God alone knows the hearts (1 Kings 8:39). Christ says He searches the hearts. So, some say, Christ is God. But the same letter answers four verses later:

“And he that overcometh… to him will I give power over the nations… even as I received of my Father.”

Revelation 2:26-27

What He holds, He received from His Father. And He passes it on to the one who overcomes.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him.”

Revelation 1:1

The whole book is given to Him by God, the letters to the churches with it. Searching the hearts goes with judging, and judging was given to Him because He is a man. God gives knowledge of the heart to others as well. Elisha knew the words the king of Syria spoke in his bedroom (2 Kings 6:12). Peter knew what Ananias had done in secret (Acts 5:3). The prophets had it in part. The man appointed judge has it in full.

What this means

Forgiving, judging, searching the hearts: each one is given by the Father, held by a man, and passed on to others. Something given and passed on is not a proof of being God. It is the mark of one who is sent. And the right answer is what the crowd did: glorify God, who gave such power to men.

This is Adam’s authority. God gave Adam rule over the earth, and Adam lost it. I know that loss. It is mine. Christ is the second Adam. He holds the authority Adam lost, and far more: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” He holds it forever, because He was raised and cannot be corrupted or die again. It is safe to give everything to this one faithful man. Yet even then He stays subject to the One who gave it, “that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Connected chains

• The Head Is the Saviour of the Body
• Sent Forth at Baptism
• The Everlasting Dominion