どちらがたやすいのか? -マルコ福音書2章9節の研究-

The purpose of this article is to make a critical study of Mk 2.9. In this verse Jesus asks the scribes which is easier to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven, " or "Rise…and walk." Despite the apparent simplicity of the choice, the correct answer is still disputed among exegetes. The main reason why they are divided is the complexity of the Greek text. The first part of this paper takes a close look at the order of biblical articles and textual composition, examines the editorial policy of Mark, and affirms that the aim of Mk 2.1-12 is to criticize the scribes, that is, Jewish tradition. The second part discusses the relation between forgiveness of sins and curing of diseases. A survey of a number of studies on this issue reveals that, though the author accepted the close relationship between sins and diseases, his main concern was the reality of paralytic, not legal or theological uprightness. The last part investigates the Markan usage of alternatives. It finds that, of two possible answers, Mark always places the right one first. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that his expected answer to Jesus\u27 question is the former : "Your sins are forgiven.