Matthew 9:5
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk?
American King James Version (AKJV)
For whether is easier, to say, Your sins be forgiven you; or to say, Arise, and walk?
American Standard Version (ASV)
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
For which is the simpler, to say, You have forgiveness for your sins; or to say, Get up and go?
Webster's Revision
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; 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?'
English Revised Version (ERV)
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Clarke's Matthew 9:5 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Matthew 9:5 Bible Commentary
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.
Wesley's Matthew 9:5 Bible Commentary
9:5 Which is easier - Do not both of them argue a Divine power?Therefore if I can heal his disease, I can forgive his sins: especially as his disease is the consequence of his sins.Therefore these must be taken away, if that is.
