Mark 2:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?

NIV: Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?

NASB: Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?

CSB: Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat, and walk'?

NLT: Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?

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?

NKJV: Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘ Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?

Jesus declares the sins of a paralyzed man forgiven because of his strong faith. He then confronts the scribes who determine that Jesus has no right to forgive and that He must be blaspheming. The scribes know that Jesus has healed many, and now they hear Him reveal their innermost thoughts.

Jesus challenges them, basically asking them if they will believe if He performs yet another miracle. The Greek root from which "say" is taken is lego. It means to affirm or teach, but it also means to command. If Jesus can command the obvious miracle of healing a paralytic so that he can walk, a situation everyone can see right in front of them, what right will the scribes have to disbelieve that He also has the authority to declare the man's sins are forgiven, a situation no one but God can see?

The rest of the New Testament picks up on this theme that our relationship to God is made evident through what we do. Later, Jesus will say that a good tree produces good fruit while a bad tree produces bad fruit (Matthew 12:33). "Fruit" is the works, attitude, and results that come naturally as a person lives out their heart. Jesus heals people (Mark 1:33–34), gets rid of demons (Mark 1:23–27), and teaches with authority (Mark 1:22). This "good fruit" should indicate to the scribes that Jesus is a "good tree" and that His more challenging statements should at least be seriously considered, if not trusted right away.

Mark 2:1–12 records the first of five stories from the gospel of Mark which establish Jesus' claims to various spheres of authority. Jesus returns to Capernaum from His tour of Galilee, and the crowds regather. Here, Jesus declares that He has the power to forgive sins. A paralyzed man is brought into the crowded room through the roof. In response to the man's faith, Jesus declares his sins to be forgiven. When challenged by the scribes, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This event is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.