Matthew 9:5
3 On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
4 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’
6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”
7 And the man got up and went home.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’
- KJV
- For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
- WEB
- For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?
- ASV
- For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
- DARBY
- For which is easier: to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk?
- BLB
- For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
- ÅB
- For hva er lettest å si? ‘Syndene dine er tilgitt’, eller ‘Stå opp og gå’?
- OTB
- Hva er enklere: å erklære, 'Dine synder er tilgitt,' eller å si, 'Reis deg og gå'?
- B1930
- For hvad er lettest, enten å si: Dine synder er dig forlatt, eller å si: Stå op og gå?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
John 5:8–14
Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”
Read in contextMark 2:9–12
“Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
Read in contextActs 3:16
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.
Read in contextLuke 5:23–25
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’
Read in contextActs 14:8–11
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.
Read in contextActs 3:6–11
But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”
Read in contextIsaiah 35:5–6
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Read in contextActs 9:34
“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,
Read in context