Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 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?" — Mark 2:9 (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.