Luke 5:23

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses this question to those who are questioning his authority after he speaks to the paralytic.

The words — The Greek term εὐκοπώτερον (eukopōteron) means "easier," contrasting the verbal claim of ἀφέωνταί (apheōntai), "have been forgiven," with the command to walk.

The thread — This identical challenge appears in Matthew 9:5 and Mark 2:9, where Jesus uses the same rhetorical question to demonstrate his authority.

Why it lands — The text contrasts an unverifiable verbal declaration with a visible action that proves the speaker’s authority. It requires the reader to acknowledge that Jesus grounds his claim to forgive sins in his power to heal.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

τίtiWhich ἐστινestinis εὐκοπώτερον,eukopōteroneasier,εἰπεῖν·eipeinto say;ἀφέωνταίapheōntaiHave been forgiven σοιsoiyou αἱhaithe ἁμαρτίαιhamartiaisins σου,souof you,ἢēor εἰπεῖν·eipeinto say;ἔγειρεegeiredo arise καὶkaiand περιπάτει;peripateido walk?

King James Version

Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

Cross-references

Matthew 9:5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
Mark 2:9 “Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?