21. The experts in Moses’ Teachings and the Pharisees thought, “Who is this man? He’s dishonoring God! Who besides God can forgive sins?”
22. Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “What are you thinking?
23. Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24. I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
25. The man immediately stood up in front of them and picked up the stretcher he had been lying on. Praising God, he went home.
26. Everyone was amazed and praised God. They were filled with awe and said, “We’ve seen things today we can hardly believe!”
27. After that, Jesus left. He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in a tax office. Jesus said to him, “Follow me!”
28. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.
29. Levi held a large reception at his home for Jesus. A huge crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.
30. The Pharisees and their experts in Moses’ Teachings complained to Jesus’ disciples. They asked, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
31. Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do.
32. I’ve come to call sinners to change the way they think and act, not to call people who think they have God’s approval.”
33. They said to him, “John’s disciples frequently fast and say prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. But your disciples eat and drink.”