Mark 2:9

KJV

Whether 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Whether {G5101} is it {G2076} easier {G2123} to say {G2036} to the sick of the palsy {G3885}, Thy sins {G266} be forgiven {G863} thee {G4671}; or {G2228} to say {G2036}, Arise {G1453}, and {G2532} take up {G142} thy {G4675} bed {G2895}, and {G2532} walk {G4043}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Which is easier to say to the paralyzed man? `Your sins are forgiven'? or `Get up, pick up your stretcher and walk'?

Berean Standard Bible

“Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

American Standard Version

Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 2:9 presents Jesus' profound rhetorical question to the scribes, challenging their silent accusations of blasphemy after He declared a paralytic's sins forgiven. This pivotal verse serves as the logical bridge between Jesus' assertion of spiritual authority (to forgive sins) and His demonstration of physical power (to heal), forcing His critics to confront the source of His unparalleled claims and actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant narrative in [Mark 2](/mark/2 "Mark 2 - Jesus' Authority and Early Conflicts"), which initiates a series of five conflict stories (Mark 2:1-3:6) where Jesus' authority is questioned by religious leaders. The immediate preceding verses set the scene: Jesus is teaching in a crowded house in [Capernaum](/mark/2-1 "Mark 2:1 - Jesus in Capernaum"), where a paralyzed man is lowered through the roof by his four friends. Instead of immediately healing the man, Jesus declares, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee" ([Mark 2:5](/mark/2-5 "Mark 2:5 - Jesus Forgives Sins")). This declaration sparks the scribes' internal accusation of blasphemy, as they believe only God can forgive sins ([Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Mark 2:7 - Scribes Accuse Jesus of Blasphemy")). Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, then poses the question in Mark 2:9 to expose their flawed reasoning and to validate His divine authority before commanding the man to walk ([Mark 2:11](/mark/2-11 "Mark 2:11 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish thought often linked sickness directly to sin, though not always in a one-to-one causal relationship (cf. [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Blind Man's Sin")). Therefore, a declaration of forgiveness carried immense weight and was understood as an act reserved for God alone. The scribes, as interpreters of the Law, were the custodians of this theological understanding. For a human to claim the power to forgive sins was, in their eyes, an usurpation of divine prerogative—hence, blasphemy. The setting in Capernaum, a bustling city, highlights Jesus' public ministry and the immediate scrutiny His actions received from religious authorities who were present to observe and, in this case, to critique. The act of lowering someone through a roof also speaks to the desperate measures taken by the paralytic's friends, demonstrating a profound faith that Jesus recognized.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme in [Mark 2](/mark/2 "Mark 2 - Jesus' Authority") and specifically in this passage is **Jesus' Divine Authority**. By forgiving sins, Jesus claims an authority that belongs to God alone. His subsequent healing of the paralytic serves as visible proof of this invisible, spiritual authority. Another crucial theme is the **Priority of Forgiveness**. Jesus addresses the man's spiritual need before his physical one, indicating that the forgiveness of sins is the more profound and necessary healing. This highlights Jesus' primary mission: to deal with humanity's sin problem, as foreshadowed in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). The passage also underscores the **Power of Faith**, as seen in the actions of the four friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus ([Mark 2:5](/mark/2-5 "Mark 2:5 - Jesus Sees Their Faith")). Finally, the **Conflict with Religious Leaders** is a burgeoning theme, as Jesus' claims and actions increasingly challenge the established religious order, leading to growing opposition that culminates in His crucifixion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **easier (Greek, _eukopṓteros'_):** Derived from "better for toil" or "more facile," this word in Jesus' question refers not to the physical effort required of Him, but to the ease with which a claim can be made without immediate, tangible proof. To say "Your sins are forgiven" is "easier" in the sense that it is unverifiable by human observation, thus less open to immediate challenge. Conversely, commanding a paralyzed man to walk is "harder" because the outcome is instantly verifiable and undeniable, proving the authority behind the command.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** This term refers to "offence" or "sin" in its abstract sense, denoting a missing of the mark, a deviation from God's standard. By addressing the paralytic's "sins," Jesus directly confronts the spiritual root of humanity's brokenness, which is the ultimate barrier between God and humanity. His authority to deal with this fundamental issue is the core of the controversy.
* **forgiven (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** Meaning "to send forth," "remit," "put away," or "yield up," this word signifies a complete release or dismissal. When applied to sins, it means to pardon, to cancel a debt, or to release from the bondage of guilt. The passive voice ("be forgiven") implies that the action originates from God. Jesus' use of this term, therefore, is a direct assertion of His divine prerogative to unilaterally declare a person free from the burden and consequence of their sins.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee;":** Jesus poses a rhetorical question that cuts to the heart of the scribes' unspoken accusation. He highlights the nature of forgiving sins as an invisible, spiritual act that, from a human perspective, requires no immediate, observable proof. This part of the question challenges the scribes to consider the implications of His previous declaration and the unique authority it presupposes.
* **"or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?":** This contrasts the invisible act of forgiveness with the highly visible, undeniable act of physical healing. To command a paralyzed man to immediately stand, pick up his mat, and walk away is a miracle that leaves no room for doubt. Jesus sets up a logical dilemma: if He can perform the outwardly verifiable miracle, which is "harder" to fake, then He certainly possesses the authority for the "easier" (less verifiable) claim of forgiving sins.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, where He asks a question not to elicit information, but to make a forceful point and guide His audience to a specific conclusion. By presenting two alternatives, Jesus uses **Juxtaposition** to highlight the contrast between an invisible, spiritual act (forgiveness) and a visible, physical act (healing). This juxtaposition serves to underscore the core issue of His authority. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**: what appears "easier" to say (forgiveness, as it's unverifiable) is, in fact, the more profound and divinely exclusive claim, while the "harder" command (healing) provides the undeniable proof of the "easier" claim's validity. This masterful use of language exposes the scribes' faulty reasoning and validates Jesus' divine identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 2:9 is a profound theological statement about the nature of Jesus' authority and His mission. It unequivocally demonstrates that Jesus possesses divine power, not only over physical ailments but, more significantly, over the spiritual condition of humanity. By posing the question, Jesus forces His audience to confront the reality that His authority to forgive sins is intrinsically linked to His power to heal. The physical miracle serves as an undeniable sign, validating His claim to be the Son of Man with authority on earth to forgive sins. This passage underscores that Jesus came primarily to address humanity's greatest need: reconciliation with God through the forgiveness of sin, with physical healing serving as a powerful, tangible sign of this greater spiritual work.

* [Isaiah 43:25](/isaiah/43-25 "Isaiah 43:25 - God Alone Forgives Sins")
* [Matthew 9:6](/matthew/9-6 "Matthew 9:6 - The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")
* [Luke 5:24](/luke/5-24 "Luke 5:24 - Parallel Account of Jesus Forgiving and Healing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage invites us to reflect deeply on the comprehensive authority of Jesus. It challenges our tendency to prioritize physical well-being over spiritual health. Jesus' actions here teach us that while physical healing is a wonderful blessing, the forgiveness of sins is the foundational and most vital healing for the human soul. He addresses the deepest need first, then provides the visible proof. For us, this means recognizing that our greatest need is reconciliation with God, which only Jesus, with His divine authority, can provide. It calls us to trust in His power to forgive our sins and to seek His spiritual healing above all else, knowing that He has demonstrated His capacity to address every facet of our brokenness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' rhetorical question in Mark 2:9 challenge our own assumptions about what constitutes true power or authority?**
* **Which "healing"—physical or spiritual—do we tend to prioritize in our lives, and why?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the connection between faith, forgiveness, and physical well-being?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask which was "easier" to say?**

Answer: Jesus' question was not about the physical ease of performing one miracle over another, but about the verifiability and challengeability of the claims. To say "Your sins are forgiven" is "easier" in the sense that it's an invisible, spiritual declaration that cannot be immediately proven or disproven by human senses. However, to command a paralyzed man to "Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk" is a claim that has immediate, tangible, and undeniable physical proof. Jesus posed this question to highlight that if He could perform the visibly "harder" miracle, which provides irrefutable evidence of divine power, then He certainly possessed the authority for the invisibly "easier" claim of forgiving sins. He used the physical miracle as a sign to validate His spiritual authority, which was the true source of contention for the scribes, as only God could forgive sins ([Mark 2:7](/mark/2-7 "Mark 2:7 - Scribes' Accusation of Blasphemy")).

**Was the paralytic's sickness a direct result of his sin?**

Answer: The text of Mark 2 does not explicitly state that the paralytic's sickness was a direct, causal result of his personal sin. However, in the Jewish worldview of that time, there was often a general association between suffering, illness, and sin (cf. [John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Jesus on Suffering and Sin")). By addressing the man's sins first, Jesus demonstrated His comprehensive authority over both spiritual and physical brokenness. He identified and dealt with the deeper, spiritual malady, which was the man's separation from God due to sin, before addressing the physical ailment. This emphasizes that Jesus' primary mission was to deal with the sin problem, and the physical healing served as a powerful sign of His unique authority to accomplish this greater spiritual redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 2:9 powerfully anticipates and points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. In this moment, Jesus, as the Son of Man, asserts a divine prerogative—the authority to forgive sins—which was understood to belong to God alone. This act is a profound revelation of His true identity and mission, foreshadowing His ultimate work on the cross. The physical healing of the paralytic serves as a tangible, undeniable sign of Jesus' power to accomplish the far greater spiritual healing: the forgiveness of sins for all who believe. His ability to command the body to rise and walk is a visible testament to His authority to raise the spiritually dead to new life. Ultimately, Jesus' death and resurrection would fully accomplish this forgiveness, making Him the one true mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")). He is the Great Physician who not only heals our physical infirmities but, more importantly, takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering complete spiritual restoration and eternal life ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 5:22

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

Luke 5:25

And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Matthew 9:5

For whether is easier, to say, [Thy] sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?