Matius 9:5

9:5 Which is easier, ¹  to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?

Matius 18:3

18:3 and said, “I tell you the truth, ²  unless you turn around and become like little children, ³  you will never ⁴  enter the kingdom of heaven!

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 “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

³ sn The point of the comparison become like little children has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit, as well as willingness to be dependent and receive from others, than any inherent humility the child might possess.

⁴ tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.