Luke 5:23
What does Luke 5:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 5:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 5:23 means
Jesus asks which is easier: to say ‘Thy sins are forgiven thee,’ or to say ‘Arise and walk?’ He doesn’t deny the difficulty of forgiving sins, but he points out that pronouncing forgiveness is less objectively verifiable than commanding a physical cure. The question sets up a test: if he can do the visibly harder thing (heal this man), then his invisible claim (to forgive sins) gains credibility. Jesus uses this rhetorical contrast to prepare his audience for a concrete demonstration linking spiritual authority with tangible power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Which is the simpler: to say, You have forgiveness for your sins; or to say, Get up and go?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862which is easier--to say, Thy sins have been forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, and walk?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which is easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise and walk?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
Context
This rhetorical question comes after Jesus detects the scribes’ internal objections. It frames the impending proof by turning attention to observable reality: a healed body. The verse prefaces Jesus’ demonstration that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins, making the subsequent healing both a compassionate act and an apologetic for his authority. Readers should note the logic: visible miracles validate invisible, spiritual claims.
v.22But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts?
v.23This passage
v.24But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 2:9
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?
- Matthew 9:5
For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Related questions readers ask
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