Matthew 9:5 kjv

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

Matthew 9:5 nkjv

For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'?

Matthew 9:5 niv

Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?

Matthew 9:5 esv

For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

Matthew 9:5 nlt

Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'?

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 5 Meaning

This verse is a profound rhetorical question posed by Jesus to the scribes, intentionally contrasting two claims of authority: declaring the forgiveness of sins and commanding a paralyzed man to walk. Jesus challenges the scribes' limited understanding and accusation of blasphemy by implicitly asserting His unique divine authority to accomplish both. The question highlights that while both acts require divine power, the physical healing provides undeniable, visible proof, thereby validating His earlier, less tangible declaration of forgiveness. Forgiving sins is inherently a divine prerogative, making that statement a greater claim of authority (impossible for a mere human) than a visible healing, which served as the evidence for that unseen power.

Matthew 9 5 Context

Matthew 9:5 occurs within the account of Jesus healing a paralytic man. After being brought to Jesus by friends, who creatively lowered him through the roof, Jesus' initial response was not physical healing but declaring, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Matt 9:2). This spiritual pronouncement was immediately met with inner accusations of blasphemy by the scribes present, who correctly understood that only God could forgive sins. Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, then posed the rhetorical question of Matthew 9:5, setting the stage to publicly validate His authority over sin by performing the visible miracle of healing. This incident forms part of a series of miracles in Matthew 8-9 that highlight Jesus' supreme authority over disease, natural elements, demons, sin, and even death, demonstrating Him as the divine Son of God with authority on earth.

Matthew 9 5 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction signals a logical connection, indicating Jesus is about to explain or provide reasoning for His preceding actions and authority claim.
• which (τί - ti): An interrogative pronoun, meaning "what" or "which one." It presents a choice, urging the listeners to evaluate the apparent ease of two different declarations.
• is easier (εὐκοπώτερον - eukopoteron): The comparative form of "easy," implying "more convenient" or "less difficult." Jesus is highlighting the human perception of difficulty; outwardly, merely saying words without visible proof might seem easier than producing a public miracle.
• to say (εἰπεῖν - eipein): An infinitive form, "to speak" or "to declare." This emphasizes the act of verbal proclamation, which is then verified by either spiritual truth (forgiveness) or physical demonstration (healing).
• ‘Your sins (αἱ ἁμαρτίαι σου - hai hamartiai sou)’: Hamartia means "missing the mark" or "transgression." This phrase refers to personal wrongdoing or rebellion against God. The ancient world often connected sin to sickness.
• are forgiven (ἀφέωνταί - apheōntai): This is a perfect passive indicative verb from aphiēmi ("to send away," "to release," "to forgive"). The "perfect" tense signifies a completed action with lasting results. The "passive voice" implies God as the unseen agent (the "divine passive"), meaning "your sins have been forgiven by God." Jesus is declaring a divine act as having already occurred.
• or (ἢ - ē): A disjunctive conjunction presenting an alternative, a choice between the two proposed actions.
• to say, ‘Rise (ἔγειραι - egeirai)’: An imperative command meaning "get up" or "arise." This requires an immediate and tangible physical response.
• and walk (καὶ περιπάτει - kai peripatei)’: An imperative command, meaning "and walk about" or "move around." This specifies the desired visible action that would prove the power of the speaker.

Words-group analysis:

• "Which is easier, to say... or to say...": This is Jesus' pointed rhetorical question to the scribes. From a human perspective, declaring someone's sins are forgiven might seem easier than commanding a paralyzed man to walk, precisely because there's no visible evidence required for forgiveness. However, Jesus reverses this; truly forgiving sins is a divine prerogative and thus profoundly difficult/impossible for any human. Healing, while also divine, can prove the authority to do the unseen, harder work of forgiveness.
• "Your sins are forgiven": This statement, rooted in the divine passive, is Jesus' primary assertion of authority over the deeper, spiritual condition of humanity. Forgiveness directly impacts one's relationship with God and eternity. For the scribes, this was blasphemy because they rightly believed only God could forgive sins. Jesus directly claims this exclusive divine power.
• "Rise and walk": This refers to the concrete, observable miracle of physical healing. This public demonstration serves as irrefutable proof of the divine power residing in Jesus that empowers Him to perform the spiritually greater act of forgiveness. Jesus uses the visible miracle to authenticate the invisible claim, challenging the scribes to see beyond mere human perception.

Matthew 9 5 Bonus section

• The rhetorical structure of the question, common in rabbinic discourse, challenges the audience to draw a conclusion based on their own understanding of power and divine prerogative. Jesus guides them to the undeniable conclusion that the One who can perform visible miracles undeniably possesses authority for unseen, spiritual acts.
• This passage underlines a core Christian doctrine: the direct and unmediated forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Unlike systems that required intermediaries, sacrifices, or complex rituals, Jesus declares forgiveness directly, indicating His divine standing and fulfillment of the Law.
• The immediate physical healing served not only as proof but also as a public sign to the crowds, establishing Jesus' credibility beyond the skeptical scribes, as evident by the people's response in Matt 9:8 glorifying God.
• The connection between the healing of the body and the healing of the soul is significant. Jesus addresses the whole person – physical infirmity and spiritual separation from God – emphasizing that His work is holistic restoration.

Matthew 9 5 Commentary

Matthew 9:5 represents a pivotal moment where Jesus strategically exposes the spiritual blindness of His detractors while simultaneously asserting His unique divine authority. The scribes' accusation ("Who can forgive sins but God alone?") correctly identified God as the sole source of forgiveness. Jesus' question doesn't deny this but instead leverages it, revealing that their theological accuracy was paired with a stunning failure to recognize the divine authority standing before them. By juxtaposing the invisible act of forgiveness with the visible act of healing, Jesus demonstrated that the very power required for physical restoration was the same power that enabled Him to grant spiritual liberation. He offered the easily verifiable proof (physical healing) to substantiate the harder, invisible truth (divine authority to forgive sins). This concise verse encapsulates Jesus' dual nature as both Son of God and Son of Man, possessing both divine spiritual authority and tangible power over creation, thus confirming His Messiahship. The visible miracle served as undeniable evidence for the unseen truth of His identity and salvific mission.