Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 9:5

"For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?" — Matthew 9:5 (ASV)

He answers their evil thoughts with a question that was unanswerable to them. Surely the two things are equally beyond human power to accomplish. But to say Thy sins be forgiven thee, is easier to all appearance, because no apparent result is expected to follow by which the reality of the speech can be tested. Thousands have pretended to absolve a man from sin, who would not have dared to command a disease to disappear. The difference in merely saying is all in favor of the first speech.

If we compare the two miracles, it would be long before one could determine which is easier, for they are both impossible for humans. In some respects, the pardon of sin is the greater work of the two, because its accomplishment requires the whole apparatus of incarnation and atonement. Our Lord performed both miracles and thus confirmed His claim of power by a visible sign that none could question.

He who can pardon my soul can heal my body, because that would seem to be the easier of the two deeds of mercy. I may bring both forms of malady to Jesus, and He will deal with them. Lord, heal my spirit and cure my flesh! Indeed, You will do this work most effectually by raising my body incorruptible as Your own.

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Each of these actions needed divine power; but divinity being present, there was no difference as to the manifestation of this power between the forgiveness of sins and the healing of sickness.