When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While it's easy to focus on the crowds' amazement, the verse reveals something deeper in their response: they recognized God's power, but saw it as delegated to men, rather than recognizing Christ's divine identity. Their praise, though genuine, still viewed Him as merely a man exceptionally empowered by God.
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, Jesus had healed a paralyzed man, astonishing everyone present by first declaring his sins forgiven, then commanding him to rise and walk. The scribes were scandalized, accusing Jesus of blasphemy for claiming God's prerogative, but Jesus, knowing their thoughts, proved his divine authority through the undeniable physical healing. In response, the crowds were filled with awe and fear, glorifying God for granting such incredible power to a human being, though they didn't yet grasp the full divine identity of Jesus.
The crowd witnessed something astonishing – a man healed instantly! But their reaction wasn't just simple awe; it was complex.
When the paralytic walked, the crowd's response was a mix of wonder and fear. This wasn't just a passive observation; it was a powerful moment where the reality of God's intervention shook them.
A Double Reaction
Some ancient manuscripts suggest the crowd felt 'fear' (εφοβηθησαν) more than just 'wonder' (εθαυμασαν). This fear wasn't necessarily terror, but a healthy, reverent dread that comes from encountering the divine. It's the kind of awe that makes you acutely aware of God's presence and power, a recognition that you're standing on holy ground.
The Multitude's Perspective
While Jesus saw the faith of those who brought the man, the crowd's reaction was external. They saw the result of faith and divine power. This demonstrates how God's actions can impact people deeply, even if they don't fully grasp the spiritual underpinnings like the faith of the friends or the identity of Jesus.
They saw Jesus perform an incredible act, but who did they praise? It wasn't Jesus directly, but the One who empowered him.
The crowd's immediate response was to 'glorify God.' This shows a fundamental understanding, even if incomplete, that such power originates from the divine. They recognized that God was the source of this authority.
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Recognizing Divine Authority
They praised God 'who had given such authority to men.' This phrase points to a recognition of God's sovereignty and His ability to act through human agents. It’s a step towards acknowledging God's power, even if their understanding of who Jesus truly was remained limited.
The Gap in Understanding
While they glorified God, their statement also reveals a gap. They attributed the power to 'men' in a general sense, not yet grasping the unique divine-human identity of Jesus as the Son of God. They saw a man with extraordinary power, a conduit for God's might, rather than God Himself manifest in human form. This highlights that seeing a miracle doesn't automatically lead to a full theological understanding.
Understand the original words
doxazō · Greek Verb
To praise, honor, or acknowledge the majesty and character of God. It is an expression of awe and reverence in response to witnessing God’s power or holiness.
The crowd's response shows they are amazed by the miracle but haven't grasped Jesus' full divine identity, seeing God's power extended 'to men' rather than recognizing the divine Son of Man himself.
c. AD 27
Jesus begins public ministry
After his baptism and temptation, Jesus begins to preach and gather disciples in Galilee, announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
c. AD 28
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivers his foundational teachings on discipleship, ethics, and the nature of his kingdom, challenging conventional interpretations of the Law.
c. AD 29— this verse
Healing the Paralytic in Capernaum
Jesus heals a paralytic man, first declaring his sins forgiven, then commanding him to rise and walk. This event is a central point of conflict with religious authorities.
c. AD 29
Calling of Matthew
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, further associating with those on the fringes of society and drawing criticism from the religious elite.
c. AD 30
Growing opposition from religious leaders
Jesus' actions and teachings increasingly provoke the Pharisees and scribes, who question his authority and methods, viewing his claims and miracles with suspicion.
This passage describes the same event, emphasizing the crowd's amazement and how they glorified God, echoing the reaction in Matthew 9:8.
Acts 4:24This verse shows believers glorifying God for His power, similar to the crowd's reaction, but from the perspective of those who have a deeper understanding of God's divine work.
1 Samuel 2:3This passage highlights God's supreme knowledge and power, which is the ultimate source of the 'authority given to men' that the crowd was marveling at in Matthew 9:8.
John 10:37-38Jesus challenges His listeners to believe in His works if they don't believe His words, directly connecting the miracles He performed to His divine authority, which is what the crowd observed and glorified God for.
clarkeMatthew 9:8: "But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men."
When the multitudes saw it, they marveled - Instead of εθαυμασαν, wondered, the Codex Vatic. and Cod. Bezae, with several other MSS. and versions, have εφοβηθησαν, feared. In the Gothic, and one copy of the Itala, both readings are conjoined, thus: And the multitudes seeing it, wondered and feared, and glorified God. Wondered at the miracle; feared to offend against such power…
calvinMatthew 9:1-8: "And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city."
- And entering into a ship, he passed over, and came into his own city. 2. And, lo, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Take courage, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee. 3. And, lo, some of the scribes said among themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4. And when Jesus saw their thoughts, he said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5. For…
While it's easy to focus on the crowds' amazement, the verse reveals something deeper in their response: they recognized God's power, but saw it as delegated to men, rather than recognizing Christ's divine identity. Their praise, though genuine, still viewed Him as merely a man exceptionally empowered by God.
Just moments before, Jesus had healed a paralyzed man, astonishing everyone present by first declaring his sins forgiven, then commanding him to rise and walk. The scribes were scandalized, accusing Jesus of blasphemy for claiming God's prerogative, but Jesus, knowing their thoughts, proved his divine authority through the undeniable physical healing. In response, the crowds were filled with awe and fear, glorifying God for granting such incredible power to a human being, though they didn't yet grasp the full divine identity of Jesus.
Just moments before, Jesus had healed a paralyzed man, astonishing everyone present by first declaring his sins forgiven, then commanding him to rise and walk. The scribes were scandalized, accusing Jesus of blasphemy for claiming God's prerogative, but Jesus, knowing their thoughts, proved his divine authority through the undeniable physical healing. In response, the crowds were filled with awe and fear, glorifying God for granting such incredible power to a human being, though they didn't yet grasp the full divine identity of Jesus.
"When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." — While it's easy to focus on the crowds' amazement, the verse reveals something deeper in their response: they recognized God's power, but saw it as delegated to men, rather than recognizing Christ'…
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Last reviewed October 2026