Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 9:3

3 And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

Mark saith, There were certain of the Scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their Hearts, why doth this Man thus speak Blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only, ch. 2.6, 7. Luke saith. The Scribes, and the Pharisees began to reason saying. Who is this which speaketh Blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone? It should seem they did not speak it out, Mark saith, They reasoned in their Hearts. Matthew in the next Verse saith, Iesus knowing their Thoughts. It seemeth that it was then agreed on all hands, that Fo[illegible: 1 letter]giving of sins was the Prerogative of God alone: And that for man to arrogate to himself such a Power as belonged to God alone, was no less than Blasphe[illegible: 2 letters], as all ascribings of Divine Perfections to Creatures must be. It stands the Pope, and Priests in hand to clear themselves from this Guilt. It was also agreed by the Scribes and Pharisees, that Christ spake B[illegible: 2 letters]sphemy in pronouncing to the sick of the Pa[illegible: 1 letter]sie, that his [illegible: 1 word] were forgiven. The reason was, because they did not believe him to be the Son of God, but lookt on him as meer Man.