Mark 2:9

Which is easier: to say … 'Your sins are forgiven': This claim cannot be directly proved or disproved, while the claim to heal can be. Jesus showed his ability to heal in order to show his authority to forgive.

This controversy story is also a miracle story. It includes both a dispute and an act of healing or power.

Because it contains a miracle, it connects with the earlier group of miracle stories in 1:21–45.

Five controversy stories (2:1–12, 13–17, 18–22, 23–28; 3:1–6) are grouped together because they share a common theme. Each story shows a conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. In these accounts, Jesus says or does things that challenge their beliefs and practices. These stories show the great authority that Jesus has.