How do we know Christ’s authority to forgive sins?

The authority of Christ to forgive sins is firmly supported by the miracles He performed and the teachings He delivered to His followers. In the case of the leper recorded in Luke 5, Jesus responded to the man's plea for mercy by declaring him clean, illustrating His divine authority. This was a direct manifestation of His power as the Messiah and God's chosen Savior. Furthermore, scriptures such as Matthew 9:6 affirm His authority, where Jesus states, 'But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.' His miracles were not only acts of compassion but also affirmations of His divine identity and His mission to save sinners from their sin.