Jesus's Authority Verified By Miracles

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the paralytic - "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" (Mark 2:1-12 ESV)

It is quite amazing that I have read this passage countless of times, always puzzled as to what exactly was my Lord Jesus comparing when He said, "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?" I always thought it was the number of words, or complexity of the syntax of the sentences. But somehow, I never bothered to check further.

Today at the Sunday services, Dr Tim Berrey explained that it is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven" because there is no way to verify it. But when you say to a paralyzed man, "Rise, take up your bed and walk", you will be proven false if the man cannot do what you say. This website also gave the same explanation.

Dr Berrey also pointed out that the crowd's reaction was somewhat unsatisfactory. They were amazed at the miracle but did not notice the point which Jesus was trying to prove, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" (Matthew 9:4-6 NLT)