Healing of the Paralytic

This is the fifth example Matthew gives of Jesus complete authority—the forgiving of sins. The chapter breaks seem to indicate that this occurred upon Jesus' return from the region of Gennesaret. But if so, it would not agree with Mark and Luke. The answer lies in seeing 9:1 (“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.”) as the end of the previous story, not the beginning of a new one. As examples, Matthew gives these as disconnected short stories. Neither the time nor location is given, but it is assumed to be at Peter’s house.