How do we know Jesus has the authority to forgive sins?

In the narrative from Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus first assures the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, which prompts the scribes to think that He is blaspheming. By healing the paralytic afterward, Jesus confirms His authority as the Son of Man who has power on earth to forgive sins. His ability to read the thoughts of the scribes further affirms His divine status, indicating that He is the God-man and the prophesied Messiah. This divine authority underscores the truth that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost, granting both physical and spiritual healing.