Matthew 9:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

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

NASB: For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

CSB: 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’?

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

NKJV: For which is easier, to say, ‘ Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

Jesus has confronted some scribes, religious leaders and teachers of the law, who heard Him tell a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven (Matthew 9:2). They accused Jesus, quietly and to each other, of blasphemy for claiming to do something only God could do. Jesus has accused them, aloud and in front of everyone, of thinking evil in their hearts for questioning His identity (Matthew 9:3–4).

Now He asks the scribes if it is easier to say, "your sins are forgiven," or "rise and walk"? By this, Jesus is making two points. First, it's "easier" to claim to have forgiven someone's sins, since there's no way to physically test such a claim. Claiming the power to instantly heal a paralyzed man, on the other hand, is more "difficult," as it invites proof. His purpose is to demonstrate to these unbelieving religious leaders that the power He has been showing them is the evidence that He is truly the Messiah and Son of God. That status includes the authority to forgive sins on earth (Matthew 9:6–7).

Matthew 9:1–8 finds Jesus teaching in a crowded house. The friends of a paralyzed man bring him to see Jesus. The gospel of Mark indicates that the crowd is massive, so the men make a hole in the roof and lower him down on his bed (Mark 2:3–4). Jesus tells the man his sins are forgiven. Some scribes in the room call this blasphemy. Jesus, though, demonstrates that He has the authority on earth to forgive sins by showing that He has the authority to tell the paralyzed man to stand up and walk home. The man does exactly that.

Matthew 9 continues to show how Jesus authenticated His claims to be the Messiah by powerful miracles of healing and casting out demons. He heals a paralyzed man after telling the man his sins are forgiven. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors. He answers questions from Pharisees and others. A woman who touches His cloak is healed from a 12–year illness, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. He restores sight to blind men and speech to one who is demon oppressed. He is filled with compassion for the crowds.

Matthew 9 follows the same pattern of Matthew 8, showing through miraculous works of healing that Jesus is truly the Messiah. Christ forgives the sins of a paralyzed man and heals him. He calls Matthew to follow Him and eats with tax collectors and sinners. A woman is healed by touching His garment and a dead girl is given life by the touch of His hand. Two blind men see, and Jesus casts out a demon, restoring speech to its victim. Finally, Jesus declares that the harvest is plentiful and tells His followers to pray for workers. Chapter 10 builds on this compassion as Jesus commissions the Twelve to go and deliver His gospel to the people.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/6/2024 11:24:49 PM