9:5a–c

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’: Before translating 9:5a–c, there are at least three issues to consider:

Issue 1: Comparing two statements

The clause Which is easier introduces a question that compares two statements: sins are forgiven and Get up and walk. It is easier to say that sins are forgiven, because people cannot see whether sins are actually forgiven. The harder thing to say is Get up and walk. It is harder because everyone can immediately see whether a miracle happens.

Consider how people in your language would ask such a question.

Here are some other possible ways to translate this:

Is this easy to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or is this easy to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
-or-
Saying to the man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise and walk,’ between these two things, which one is easy?
-or-
I can say to the man, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ I can also say, ‘Rise and walk.’ Which one is easy and which one is difficult?

Issue 2: Rhetorical question

This is a rhetorical question. Jesus asked this question to emphasize that it is easier to say Your sins are forgiven. It is implied that the harder thing to say is Get up and walk. It is harder because everyone can immediately see whether a miracle happens.

Here are some other ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a question. For example:

Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? (God’s Word)

• As a statement followed by a tag question. For example:

It is easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’ than to say ‘Get up and walk.’ Isn’t that right?

• As a statement. For example:

Consider whether it is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say ‘Rise and walk.’
-or-
It is easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’ than to say ‘Rise and walk.’
-or-
It is easy to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ It is hard to say, ‘Rise and walk.’

Issue 3: Quotes with a quote

The two statements Your sins are forgiven and Get up and walk are quotes within a quote. In some languages, it may be more natural to make these two statements indirect speech. For example:

Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? (Contemporary English Version)

9:5a

In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that is often translated as “for” (English Standard Version). This conjunction probably introduces a basis for Jesus’ statement in 9:4b. The basis is given in 9:5a–6b. The relationship is something like the following:

4aJesus told the scribes, 4b“You should not think that I blasphemed God ⌊when I told this paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven⌋, 5abecause…6aI have authority on earth to forgive sins.”

The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions do not translate this conjunction. In many languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either.

9:5b

Your sins are forgiven: This is a passive clause.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Your sins are forgiven/canceled

• Use an active verb. For example:

⌊I⌋ forgive/pardon your sins

9:5c

Get up: The phrase Get up is a command to stand up from the mat.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Rise (English Standard Version)

-or-

Stand up (NET Bible)

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