Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 2:8

"And straightway Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, saith unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" — Mark 2:8 (ASV)

The teachers of the law had not openly expressed their misgivings about Jesus’ action, but Jesus knew their thoughts and challenged them with the question in v.9. As he meant his words, neither of the two was easier. To the teachers of the law, however, it was easier to make the statement about forgiveness because who could verify its fulfillment? But to say, “Get up and walk”—that could indeed be verified by an actual healing.