Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Luke 5:23 "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 5:23 "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? |
Bible Question: Thanks, this answers one aspect of my question but another aspect is, I think, more difficult. The men clearly brought their friend so that he might be healed of his paralysis. When they finally make their way to Jesus, however, He tells the man his sins are forgiven. It is not until the Pharisees grumble that He tells the man to get up and walk. Why did Jesus not tell the man to walk in the first place? If his condition was a result of his sin, why did forgiving his sins not result in his being able to walk? |
Bible Answer: Dear nthnobdvs, I think some have touched on the reasons why the forgiveness of sins was first. Firstly, because it was the priority, physical healing is in second place to spiritual healing (I think this suggests a moral order that is often seen in Luke). People can be forgiven sins without the consequences of their sins being completely undone. They can have spiritual healing without physical healing (untli the redemption of the body anyway! Romans 8). As a preacher I know sometimes puts it "God can forgive you your sins but your body will never forgive you". Praise God, he can heal - but the most important, and the lesson the people needed to learn was that the Lord's authority extended, not only to the casting out of demons, the calming of the storm and the removal of diseases but HE had authority to FORGIVE SINS - what a Saviour we have! In Christ, Andrew |