Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible
Bible in Basic English
Matthew 9:5
For which is the simpler, to say, You have forgiveness for your sins; or to say, Get up and go?
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedDevotionals:
- EveryParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
King James Version (1611)
For whether is easier to say, Thy sinnes be forgiuen thee: or to say, Arise, and walke?
For whether is easier to say, Thy sinnes be forgiuen thee: or to say, Arise, and walke?
King James Version
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
English Standard Version
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Rise and walk'?
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Rise and walk'?
New American Standard Bible
"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
New Century Version
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to tell him, ‘Stand up and walk'?
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to tell him, ‘Stand up and walk'?
Amplified Bible
"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven and the penalty paid,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.]
"For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven and the penalty paid,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? [Both are possible for God; both are impossible for man.]
Geneva Bible (1587)
For whether is it easier to say, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, or to say, Arise, and walke?
For whether is it easier to say, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, or to say, Arise, and walke?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'?
"Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, and walk'?
Legacy Standard Bible
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
Berean Standard Bible
Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'
Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'
Contemporary English Version
Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk?
Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk?
Complete Jewish Bible
Tell me, which is easier to say — ‘Your sins are forgiven' or ‘Get up and walk'?
Tell me, which is easier to say — ‘Your sins are forgiven' or ‘Get up and walk'?
Darby Translation
For which is easier: to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk?
For which is easier: to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk?
Easy-to-Read Version
The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.' There's no proof that it really happened. But what if I say to the man, ‘Stand up and walk'? Then you will be able to see that I really have this power." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up. Take your mat and go home."
The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe you are thinking it was easy for me to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.' There's no proof that it really happened. But what if I say to the man, ‘Stand up and walk'? Then you will be able to see that I really have this power." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up. Take your mat and go home."
George Lamsa Translation
For which is easier to say, Your sins have been forgiven, or to say, Arise and walk?
For which is easier to say, Your sins have been forgiven, or to say, Arise and walk?
Good News Translation
Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
Lexham English Bible
For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
For which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk'?
Literal Translation
For what is easier, to say, Your sins are remitted, or to say, Rise up and walk?
For what is easier, to say, Your sins are remitted, or to say, Rise up and walk?
American Standard Version
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Hebrew Names Version
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?'
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?'
International Standard Version
For which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
For which is easier: to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'?
Etheridge Translation
For which is easier, to say, Forgiven are thy sins, or to say, Arise, walk ?
For which is easier, to say, Forgiven are thy sins, or to say, Arise, walk ?
Murdock Translation
For, which is the easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
For, which is the easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Whether is easyer to say, thy sinnes be forgeuen thee? Or to say, aryse and walke?
Whether is easyer to say, thy sinnes be forgeuen thee? Or to say, aryse and walke?
English Revised Version
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
World English Bible
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?'
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Get up, and walk?'
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For which is easier?
For which is easier?
Weymouth's New Testament
Why, which is easier? --to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'?
Why, which is easier? --to say, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say `Rise up and walk'?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
What is liytere to seye, Thi synnes ben foryouun to thee, ethir `to seie, Rise thou, and walke?
What is liytere to seye, Thi synnes ben foryouun to thee, ethir `to seie, Rise thou, and walke?
Update Bible Version
For which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
For which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Webster's Bible Translation
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
New English Translation
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven' or to say, ‘Stand up and walk'?
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven' or to say, ‘Stand up and walk'?
New King James Version
For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Arise and walk'?
For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Arise and walk'?
New Living Translation
Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up and walk'?
Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up and walk'?
New Life Bible
Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk?'
Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up and walk?'
New Revised Standard
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Stand up and walk'?
For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Stand up and walk'?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For which is easier - To say, Forgiven are thy sins, - or to say, Rise and be walking!
For which is easier - To say, Forgiven are thy sins, - or to say, Rise and be walking!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?
Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk?
Revised Standard Version
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Whether ys esyer to saye thy synnes be forgeven ye or to saye: arise and walke?
Whether ys esyer to saye thy synnes be forgeven ye or to saye: arise and walke?
Young's Literal Translation
for which is easier? to say, The sins have been forgiven to thee; or to say, Rise, and walk?
for which is easier? to say, The sins have been forgiven to thee; or to say, Rise, and walk?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Whether ys it easier to saye: thy synnes be forgeue ye, or to saie: arise and walke?
Whether ys it easier to saye: thy synnes be forgeue ye, or to saie: arise and walke?
Mace New Testament (1729)
for is it not as easy to say, thy sins are forgiven? as to say, arise, and walk?
for is it not as easy to say, thy sins are forgiven? as to say, arise, and walk?
Simplified Cowboy Version
What's easier for me to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'
What's easier for me to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?'
Contextual Overview
1 And he got into a boat and went across and came to his town. 2 And they took to him a man stretched on a bed who had no power of moving; and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man who was ill, Son, take heart; you have forgiveness for your sins. 3 And some of the scribes said among themselves, This man has no respect for God. 4 And Jesus, having knowledge of what was in their minds, said, Why are your thoughts evil? 5 For which is the simpler, to say, You have forgiveness for your sins; or to say, Get up and go? 6 But so that you may see that on earth the Son of man has authority for the forgiveness of sins, (then said he to the man who was ill,) Get up, and take up your bed, and go to your house. 7 And he got up and went away to his house. 8 But when the people saw it they were full of fear, and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
whether: Mark 2:9-12, Luke 5:23-25
Arise: Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6, John 5:8-14, John 5:17, John 5:18, Acts 3:6-11, Acts 3:16, Acts 4:9, Acts 4:10, Acts 9:34, Acts 14:8-11
Reciprocal: Matthew 9:6 - Arise
Cross-References
Genesis 9:1
And God gave his blessing to Noah and his sons, and said, Be fertile, and have increase, and make the earth full.
And God gave his blessing to Noah and his sons, and said, Be fertile, and have increase, and make the earth full.
Genesis 9:9
Truly, I will make my agreement with you and with your seed after you,
Truly, I will make my agreement with you and with your seed after you,
Genesis 9:10
And with every living thing with you, all birds and cattle and every beast of the earth which comes out of the ark with you.
And with every living thing with you, all birds and cattle and every beast of the earth which comes out of the ark with you.
Genesis 9:28
And Noah went on living three hundred and fifty years after the great flow of waters;
And Noah went on living three hundred and fifty years after the great flow of waters;
Genesis 9:29
all the years of his life were nine hundred and fifty: and he came to his end.
all the years of his life were nine hundred and fifty: and he came to his end.
Exodus 20:13
Do not put anyone to death without cause.
Do not put anyone to death without cause.
Exodus 21:12
He who gives a man a death-blow is himself to be put to death.
He who gives a man a death-blow is himself to be put to death.
Leviticus 19:16
Do not go about saying untrue things among your people, or take away the life of your neighbour by false witness: I am the Lord.
Do not go about saying untrue things among your people, or take away the life of your neighbour by false witness: I am the Lord.
Psalms 9:12
When he makes search for blood, he has them in his memory: he is not without thought for the cry of the poor.
When he makes search for blood, he has them in his memory: he is not without thought for the cry of the poor.
Matthew 23:35
So that on you may come all the blood of the upright on the earth, from the blood of upright Abel to the blood of Zachariah, son of Barachiah, whom you put to death between the Temple and the altar.
So that on you may come all the blood of the upright on the earth, from the blood of upright Abel to the blood of Zachariah, son of Barachiah, whom you put to death between the Temple and the altar.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For whether is easier to say,..... Christ proceeds to clear himself of the charge of blasphemy, and to prove his power to forgive sins, by putting a case to them, of which he makes themselves Judges, and is this: which is easiest to be said,
thy sins are forgiven thee? or to say, arise and walk? Neither of them were easy to a mere creature, but both of them easy to God; and he that could say the one with power and efficacy going along with his word, could say the other as effectually: and whereas it was a plain case, and out of all question, that he could bid this "paralytic" man, though in this weak condition, arise from his bed, stand upon his feet, and go home of himself; and since he had already healed many that were sick of the palsy, and particularly the "centurion's" servant, by a word speaking, he must have equal power to forgive sin. For to heal the diseases of the body in such a wonderful manner, was a very sensible proof of his power to heal the maladies of the soul; and though these are greater than those of the body, yet since both require divine power, he that is able to do the one, is able to do the other. And that it might appear he did not say this in a boasting manner, he adds,
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
For whether is easier to say - Thy “sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?” The one involves divine “power,” the other divine “authority,” and neither can be done but by God. One is as easy as the other; and to be able to do the one, involves the right and the power to do the other.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 9:5. For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? — Both are equally easy, and equally difficult; for both require unlimited power to produce them. And every thing is equally easy to that power which is unlimited. A universe can be as easily produced by a single act of the Divine will as the smallest elementary part of matter.
The common punctuation of the above passage almost destroys the sense: the comma should be placed after easier, and to say, made the first part of the question.
