Matthew 9:2

ἀφίενται for ἀφέωνται. This important change (see notes infra) is supported by א B and Origen, and is adopted by the leading editors. In Luke 5:23, ἀφέωνται is unquestioned.

2. παραλυτικόν, not in this case δεινῶς βασανιζόμενος (see ch. Matthew 8:6), therefore suffering from a less severe type of paralysis.

τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν: the faith of those who brought him as well as his own. Cp. Mark 9:23-24.

ἀφίενται, ‘are being forgiven,’ for ἀφέωνται of received text (see Crit. Notes). Comp. with this passage John 20:23, where ἀφέωνται is the true reading for ἀφίενται of the received text. The reversal of the readings in the two cases is important. With the divine Saviour the act of forgiveness is present and in progress, with the Apostles it is the spiritual gift to see, and authority to declare a sentence passed in heaven.