Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

New Life Version

Mark 2:9

Which is easier to say to the sick man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up, take your bed, and start to walk?'

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jesus, the Christ;   Miracles;   Unbelief;   Scofield Reference Index - Forgiveness;   Parables;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Miracles of Christ, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Miracle;   Palsy;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jesus christ;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Forgiveness;   Jesus Christ;   Miracle;   Salvation;   Sin;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Palsy;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Diseases;   Forgiveness;   Mark, the Gospel of;   Pallet;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Peter, First Epistle of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Almsgiving ;   Authority of Christ;   Bed;   Brotherhood (2);   Character;   Consciousness;   Cures;   Impotence;   Logia;   Lord's Supper (Ii);   Miracles (2);   Paralysis;   Perplexity;   Questions and Answers;   Salvation;   Walk (2);   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Bed, Bedstead;   Miracles;   Palsy;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Bed;   Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Naphtali;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Forgiveness;   Mark, the Gospel According to;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for June 8;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Which is easier:
King James Version (1611)
Whether is it easier to say to the sicke of the palsie, Thy sinnes be forgiuen thee: or to say, Arise, and take vp thy bed and walke?
King James Version
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?
English Standard Version
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk'?
New American Standard Bible
"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'?
New Century Version
Which is easier: to tell this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to tell him, ‘Stand up. Take your mat and walk'?
Amplified Bible
"Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your mat and walk'?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'?
Legacy Standard Bible
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your mat and walk'?
Berean Standard Bible
"Which is easier: to say to a paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, pick up your mat, 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 pick up his mat and go on home?
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'?
Darby Translation
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, [Thy] sins are forgiven [thee]; or to say, Arise, and take up thy couch 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 to the crippled man, ‘Your sins are forgiven.' There's no proof it really happened. But what if I say to the man, ‘Stand up. Take your mat and walk'? Then you will be able to see if I really have this power or not." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Whether is it easier to say to the sicke of the palsie, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee? or to say, Arise, and take vp thy bed, and walke?
George Lamsa Translation
Which is the easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise, take up your quilt-bed and walk?
Good News Translation
Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'?
Lexham English Bible
Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say ‘Get up and pick up your stretcher and walk'?
Literal Translation
Which is easier? To say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven to you, or to say, Rise up and take your cot 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?
Bible in Basic English
Which is the simpler, to say to a man who is ill, You have forgiveness for your sins, or, Get up, take up your bed, and go?
Hebrew Names Version
Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?'
International Standard Version
Which is easier: to say to the paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, pick up your cot, and walk'?Matthew 9:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Forgiven are thy sins, or to say, Arise, lift up thy couch, and walk ?
Murdock Translation
Which is the easier, to say to a paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Whether is it easyer to say to the sicke of the paulsie, thy synnes be forgeuen thee: or to say, aryse, take vp thy bedde, and walke?
English Revised Version
Whether 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?
World English Bible
Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven;' or to say, 'Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?'
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Which is easier? To say to the paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven thee?
Weymouth's New Testament
Which is easier?--to say to this paralytic, `Your sins are pardoned,' or to say, `Rise, take up your mat, and walk?'
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
What is liyter to seie to the sijk man in palesie, Synnes ben foryouun to thee, or to seie, Ryse, take thi bed, and walke?
Update Bible Version
Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?
Webster's Bible Translation
Which is easier, to say to the sick with the palsy, [Thy] sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
New English Translation
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Stand up, take your stretcher, and walk'?
New King James Version
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Arise, take up your bed and walk'?
New Living Translation
Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk'?
New Revised Standard
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk'?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Which is easier - to say unto the paralytic, Forgiven are thy sins, or to say, Rise, and take up thy couch, and be walking?
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which is easier, to say to the sick of the palsy: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise, take up thy bed and walk?
Revised Standard Version
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your pallet and walk'?
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Whether is it easyer to saye to ye sicke of ye palsie thy synnes are forgeven the or to saye aryse take vp thy beed and walke?
Young's Literal Translation
which is easier, to say to the paralytic, The sins have been forgiven to thee? or to say, Rise, and take up thy couch, and walk?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Whether is easier to saye to the sicke of the palsye: Thy synnes are forgeue the, or to saye: aryse, take vp thy bed and walke.
Mace New Testament (1729)
is it not as easy to say to the paralytic, thy sins are forgiven: as to say, arise, and take up your bed and walk?
Simplified Cowboy Version
Is it easier to say that a man's sins are forgotten or is it easier to tell him to get up and walk?

Contextual Overview

1 After some days Jesus went back to the city of Capernaum. Then news got around that He was home. 2 Soon many people gathered there. There was no more room, not even at the door. He spoke the Word of God to them. 3 Four men came to Jesus carrying a man who could not move his body. 4 These men could not get near Jesus because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof of the house over where Jesus stood. Then they let down the bed with the sick man on it. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Some teachers of the Law were sitting there. They thought to themselves, 7 "Why does this Man talk like this? He is speaking as if He is God! Who can forgive sins? Only One can forgive sins and that is God!" 8 At once Jesus knew the teachers of the Law were thinking this. He said to them, "Why do you think this in your hearts? 9 Which is easier to say to the sick man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ‘Get up, take your bed, and start to walk?' 10 I am doing this so you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins." He said to the sick man who could not move his body,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

is it: Matthew 9:5, Luke 5:22-25

Thy sins: Mark 2:5

Reciprocal: Luke 5:23 - General John 5:11 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 2:8
The Lord God planted a garden to the east in Eden. He put the man there whom He had made.
Genesis 2:9
And the Lord God made to grow out of the ground every tree that is pleasing to the eyes and good for food. And He made the tree of life grow in the center of the garden, and the tree of learning of good and bad.
Genesis 2:17
But do not eat from the tree of learning of good and bad. For the day you eat from it you will die for sure."
Genesis 3:3
But from the tree which is in the center of the garden, God has said, ‘Do not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'"
Deuteronomy 6:25
We will be right with the Lord our God if we are careful to obey all of the Law before Him, just as He told us.
Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near.
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of those who are right with God is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Isaiah 44:25
I allow trouble to come on the special things done by men who lie and speak in pride. I make fools out of those who tell the future using their secret ways. I turn back wise men, and make their learning foolish.
Isaiah 47:10
You trusted in your sin and said, ‘No one sees me.' Your wisdom and learning have led you the wrong way, for you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me.'
Ezekiel 31:16
I will make the nations shake in fear at the sound of its fall when I send it to the place of the dead with those who go down to the grave. Then all the well-watered trees of Eden, the best of Lebanon, will be comforted in the earth below.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy,.... This question was put to them by Christ, in order to prove his deity, and clear himself from the charge of blasphemy; for he that could cure the sick of the palsy, by a word speaking, had power to forgive him his sins: and therefore proposes it to them, which was easiest to say,

thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? Both of them were easy to say, but not with power and effect: they were both instances of divine power, and proofs of deity; and only he that could do the one, could do the other, and the one was as easy to be performed, by a divine person, as the other: and though it may be hard to say which is the greatest instance of power, or the strongest proof of deity, to pardon a sinner, or to cure a paralytic by a word speaking; perhaps forgiveness of sin may be the greatest evidence of divine power and goodness; however, it is certain, it is a greater blessing to be pardoned, than to be cured of a palsy; yet curing of a palsy, in the manner in which Christ did it, was a more sensible proof of his deity to the Scribes and Pharisees, than pronouncing a man's sins forgiven; because this was visible, and could not be denied; whereas the other, though pronounced, they might question whether it had its effect: but by the one, which they would see done before their eyes, there would be left no room for them to doubt of the reality of the other;

:-.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this miracle explained in Matthew 9:2-8.

Palsy - See the notes at Matthew 4:24.

Borne of four - Carried upon a couch Matthew 9:2 by four men.

Mark 2:4

The press - The crowd, the multitude of people. Jesus was probably in the large open area or hall in the center of the house. See the notes at Matthew 9:2. The people pressed into the area, and blocked up the door so that they could not have access to him.

They uncovered the roof where he was - See the notes at Matthew 9:2.

When they had broken it up - When they had removed the awning or covering, so that they could let the man down. See the notes at Matthew 9:2.

Mark 2:5

Their faith - Their confidence or belief that he could heal them.

Son - Literally, “child.” The Hebrews used the words “son” and “child” with a great latitude of signification. They were applied to children, to grandchildren, to adopted children, to any descendants, to disciples, followers, young people, and to dependents. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. In this place it denotes affection or kindness. It was a word of consolation - an endearing appellation, applied by the Saviour to the sick man to show his “compassion,” to inspire confidence, and to assure him that he would heal him.



We never saw it on this fashion - Literally, “We never saw it so.” We never saw anything like this.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile