Luke 5:23

5:23 Which is easier, ¹  to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?

Luke 9:47

9:47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts, ²  he took a child, had him stand by ³  his side,

Luke 13:13

13:13 Then ⁴  he placed his hands on her, and immediately ⁵  she straightened up and praised God.

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¹ sn Which is easier is a reflective kind of question. On the one hand to declare sins are forgiven is easier, since one does not need to see it, unlike telling a paralyzed person to walk. On the other hand, it is harder, because for it to be true one must possess the authority to forgive the sin.

² tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).

³ tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §239.1.1.

⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁵ sn The healing took place immediately.