Forgiveness of Sins
Forgiveness of sins is one of the greatest expressions of God’s mercy and love toward humanity. Throughout Scripture, God is revealed as the One who forgives iniquity, cleanses from sin, and restores those who turn to Him. Yet the New Testament also reveals that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins—a divine authority that points directly to His identity. The passages below bring these truths together, showing how the forgiveness of sins is attributed to God and how Jesus exercises that same authority.
God: Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psa. 32:5)
Jesus: When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” (Mark 2:5, 10).
God: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds—He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, (Psa. 103:2-3)
Jesus: And you, child, will be called a prophet (John the Baptist) of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, (Luke 1:76-77).
God: As far as the east is from the west, He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. (Psa. 103:12)
Jesus: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
God: Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, I, yes I am He who blots out your transgressionsfor My own sake and remembers your sins no more. (Isa. 43:16,25)
Jesus: The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. (Acts 5:30-31)
God: In the LORD all the descendants of Israel shall be justified, and will exult." (Isa. 45:25)
Jesus: All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” (Acts 10:43)
God: because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” (Jer. 31:34)
Jesus: Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesusthe forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. (Acts 13:38)
God: For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours. (Matt. 6:14,15)
Jesus: He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:14)
God: When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:5-7) Jesus: if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
The forgiveness of sins is not merely the removal of guilt; it is an expression of God’s power, mercy, and desire to restore us to Himself. Scripture repeatedly identifies God as the One who forgives, while also showing Jesus forgiving sins and providing the means of redemption. These passages offer another powerful testimony that Jesus possesses the authority and divine nature of God. Through Him, we see God’s mercy made known and His forgiveness offered to those who believe.