1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Grk “and called, saying.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation to “and said.”
3 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.
5 tn Here the conjunction δέ (de) has been translated as contrastive.
6 sn The statement that Jesus knew their thoughts adds a prophetic note to his response; see Luke 5:22.
7 tn Grk “their reasonings.” The implication is that Jesus knew his opponents’ plans and motives, so the translation “thoughts” was used here.
8 sn Most likely synagogues were arranged with benches along the walls and open space in the center for seating on the floor.
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the man’s action was a result of Jesus’ order.
7 sn Now Jesus put the two actions together. The walking of the man would be proof (so that you may know) that his sins were forgiven and that God had worked through Jesus (i.e., the Son of Man).
8 sn The term Son of Man, which is a title in Greek, comes from a pictorial description in Dan 7:13 of one “like a son of man” (i.e., a human being). It is Jesus’ favorite way to refer to himself. Jesus did not reveal the background of the term here, which mixes human and divine imagery as the man in Daniel rides a cloud, something only God does. He just used it. It also could be an idiom in Aramaic meaning either “some person” or “me.” So there is a little ambiguity in its use here, since its origin is not clear at this point. However, the action makes it clear that Jesus used it to refer to himself here.
9 tn Grk “to the one who was paralyzed”; the Greek participle is substantival and has been simplified to a simple adjective and noun in the translation.
10 tn This word, κλινίδιον (klinidion), is the same as the one used in v. 19. In this context it may be translated “stretcher” (see L&N 6.107).
11 tn Grk “to your house.”