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In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus often instructs demons, his disciples and others to conceal His identity.  After God identified Jesus as His beloved Son during the Transfiguration, Jesus commanded the disciples “to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man should have risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:9)

Jesus kept the Messianic secret until the time it was right to bring His mission to a climax.  The Synoptic Gospels provide evidence Jesus claimed to be divine.  For example, (1) the healing of the paralytic, and (2) Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man.

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When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home.  Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them.  They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.  Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?”  Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth”—  he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” (Mark 2:1-12)

Jesus’ initial words to the paralytic refer to the forgiveness of his sins.   Jesus exceeds the expectations of those who seek Him, surprises those whom He encounters, and shows His ministry is focused on healing the relationship between sinful humans and God.

The Jewish scribes accused Jesus of “blasphemy,” and direct blasphemy against God was punishable by death (Exodus 20:7).  The Jews’ focus is: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7)

Jesus did not reject the charge, because He  healed the paralytic so that the scribes might know “the Son of Man” has authority on Earth “to forgive sins” (Mark 2:10).  “The Son of Man” in Daniel is a Divine Messiah — a mysterious blend of both God and man.

Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sins and the scribes charged Him with blasphemy for claiming to do something only God can do.  Jesus has the power “on Earth” to forgive sins, and performed the paralytic’s visible healing to prove the claim.

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As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’”  He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”  Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.  (Mark 10:17-22)

Jesus did not deny He is good, and declared no one is good but God alone.  If Jesus is “good,” and God alone is “good,” then who is Jesus?  He wanted His audience to ask themselves: Who is this man, and what is His relationship with the one God?

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