Luke 5:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus asks which is easier to say: your sins are forgiven, or rise up and walk.
What Does Luke 5:23 Mean?
Jesus poses a riddle to the reasoning scribes. Both sentences are easy to pronounce; both are impossible for a mere man to perform. But there is a difference: forgiveness is invisible and cannot be checked, while 'rise up and walk' will be verified — or falsified — the instant it is spoken.
He is preparing to attach the unseeable gift to a seeable proof. Anyone can claim to forgive; Jesus is about to stake the claim where it can be tested in front of every witness in the room. The Lord does not ask for faith in a vacuum — he gives evidence, anchoring the invisible mercies of God to works that can be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 5:23
What does Luke 5:23 mean?
Jesus asks which is easier to say: your sins are forgiven, or rise up and walk.