What Did Jesus Say About Forgiveness?

Notes (Common to all these pages)

This is one of a series examining what the Gospels actually say about some specific topics:

Translations

Each verse is presented here in two translations, the traditional familiar King James Version, which provides a very literal translation of the original Greek language, and the New Living Translation, which is written in modern English and stresses the presumed intended meaning of the original.

Looking at both literal translations and paraphrases can be beneficial when studying the Bible, especially when the two approaches are in agreement. Studying the text for the purpose of determining what the original authors actually meant, is known as exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture).

Unfortunately, when paraphrasing the intended meaning, sometimes the translators end up including either their personal beliefs or those of their target audience. Studying the text for the purpose of confirming what one already believes, is known as eisegesis (the interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one's own ideas).

The Gospels

The four Gospels contain almost everything that was recorded about what Jesus taught.

Two thousand years ago, Jerusalem had Jewish religion, Greek culture, and Roman governance. Each of the four Gospels was written to present Christianity to a different audience.

Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience, and just like the Torah (also referred to as The Law or The Book of Moses, the most sacred of Jewish scripture, his Gospel is divided into five sections. It stresses Jesus's royal ancestry and presents Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and King.
Mark wrote to a Roman audience. His style is brief and efficient, and presents Jesus as Servant.
Luke wrote to a Greek audience, organizing his gospel geographically and including more emotional and non-doctrinal events (e.g. the Nativity and the flight to Egypt). Luke continued the story in his Book of Acts. Jesus is presented as Human.
John's Gospel was written last, and to a general audience of Christians from all backgrounds. It is organized in sequential order, presenting Jesus as God.

Sin

Verse	KJV	NLT
1 John 3:4	Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.	Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.
Romans 3:23	For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;	For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 6:23	For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.	For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 26:28	For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.	for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

This is the fundamental principle of Christianity: Sin is the breaking of God's Law; Everyone has sinned; Sin earns the death penalty; Jesus's own death can pay that penalty for those that repent.

Remission of Sin

Throughout the synoptic gospels, Jesus spoke of forgiveness and the remission of sin.

Verse	KJV	NLT
Matthew 26:28	For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.	for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
Mark1:4	John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.	This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Luke 1:77	To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,	You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.
Luke 3:3	And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;	Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.
Luke 24:47	And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.	It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’
John 8:11	… And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.	… And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Sinners must accept that they have sinned, understand its significance, repent (change their attitude and behaviour), and accept God's holy spirit through baptism.

Ills can be caused by unforgiven sin

Verse	KJV	NLT
Matthew 9:2,5–6	And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.	Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”
	For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?	Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up and walk'?
	But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.	So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
Mark 2:5,9–10	When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.	Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
	Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?	Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk'?
	But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)	So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said,
Luke 5:23–24	Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?	Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up and walk'?
Luke 5:23–24	But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.	So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

Forgiveness must go both ways

Verse	KJV	NLT
Matthew 6:12	And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.	and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
Matthew 6:14	For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:	“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
Matthew 6:15	But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.	But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 18:21–22	Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?	Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
Matthew 18:21–22	Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.	“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Matthew 18:27–28,32,34–35	Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.	Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
	But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.	“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
	Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:	Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.
	And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.	Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
	So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.	“That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.”
Mark 11:25	And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.	But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Luke 6:37	Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:	“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 11:4	And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.	and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation.”
Luke 17:3–4	Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.	So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.
Luke 17:3–4	And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.	Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

One cannot receive forgiveness unless one is also able to give it.

Only God can forgive sin

Verse	KJV	NLT
Mark 2:7	Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?	“What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
Luke 5:20	And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.	Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 5:21	And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?	But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
Luke 7:42–43,47–49	And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?	But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
	Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.	Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.
	Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.	“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
	And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.	Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
	And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?	The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”
Luke 23:34	Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.	Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
John 1:29	The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.	The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Now is not the time for all people to be forgiven

Verse	KJV	NLT
Mark 4:12	That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.	so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’”

Jesus did not come to save the world during this current age. Only a relative few will be called and chosen. Those elect will work with Christ on Earth in the Kingdom of God during the Millennium, teaching and converting the vast majority of mankind, who will then have their opportunity for salvation.

One sin cannot be forgiven

Verse	KJV	NLT
Matthew 12:31–32	Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.	“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.
Matthew 12:31–32	And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.	Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
Mark 3:28–29	Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:	“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven,
Mark 3:28–29	But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:	but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”
Luke 12:10	And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.	Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Those that continue to refuse to accept God's holy spirit cannot be forgiven, but will be destroyed in the lake of fire after the Millennium.