For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Parallel translations
- WEB For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’
- BSB Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’
- NKJV For which is easier, to say, ‘ Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
- NASB For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
- NLT Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus poses which is easier, to declare sins forgiven or to command a paralytic to walk. The question sets up a visible proof of an invisible authority.
Overview
Pronouncing forgiveness is 'easier' to say because it cannot be tested, while commanding healing can be immediately verified. Jesus is about to perform the visible miracle to authenticate his claim to do the greater, invisible work. The argument shows that his power to heal validates his authority to forgive.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- John 5:8–14Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
- Mark 2:9–12Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
- Acts 3:16And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
- Luke 5:23–25Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
- Acts 14:8–11And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
- Acts 3:6–11Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
- Isa 35:5–6Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
- Acts 9:34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
- John 5:17–18But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
- Acts 4:9–10If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 9:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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