Mark 2:6 kjv

But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Mark 2:6 nkjv

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,

Mark 2:6 niv

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,

Mark 2:6 esv

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,

Mark 2:6 nlt

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves,

Mark 2 verses

Mark 2 6 Meaning

Mark 2:6 states that "some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts." This verse introduces the crucial intellectual and spiritual conflict initiated by Jesus' claim to forgive sins in the preceding verse. The scribes, as theological experts and guardians of the Mosaic Law, immediately recognized the profound implications of Jesus' declaration. Their "questioning in their hearts" reveals a deep internal deliberation and skepticism concerning Jesus' authority, recognizing that the power to forgive sins directly attributed to God Himself was being exercised by a man, which, from their perspective, constituted blasphemy.

Mark 2 6 Context

Mark chapter 2 opens with Jesus returning to Capernaum, where a great crowd gathers around Him. A paralytic man is lowered through the roof by four friends, seeking healing. Before healing the man physically, Jesus first declares, "Son, your sins are forgiven" (Mk 2:5). This startling declaration directly precedes verse 6, where the scribes, sitting amongst the crowd, begin their internal questioning. This scene immediately follows the first public miracles in Galilee, highlighting Jesus' increasing renown and His claim to divine authority, which was met with initial amazement but now increasingly challenges the religious establishment. This incident marks the beginning of several controversies recorded by Mark, laying the groundwork for the escalating tension between Jesus and the religious leaders concerning His authority over the Sabbath, fasting, and association with "sinners."

Historically and culturally, the scribes (grammateis) were esteemed scholars and teachers of the Jewish Law, holding significant authority in society and the synagogues. Their primary concern was the correct interpretation and application of the Torah. They deeply believed that only God could forgive sins, especially sins against God Himself. For a man to claim such authority was, to them, an act of supreme blasphemy, punishable by death under Jewish Law. Their presence, likely as observers of this new popular teacher, signifies the watchful eye of the religious elite on Jesus' ministry from its early stages. Their "questioning in their hearts" represents the fundamental theological clash between their established understanding of God's sovereignty and Jesus' audacious, yet divinely empowered, assertions.

Mark 2 6 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: δὲ - de): A transitional particle. It signifies a natural continuation of the narrative, moving from Jesus' statement to the scribes' immediate reaction. It also suggests a subtle contrast or opposition, setting up the impending conflict.
• some (Greek: τινὲς - tines): An indefinite pronoun. It indicates that not all scribes present held these questioning thoughts, or perhaps, only a select group was actively engaged in this internal deliberation, representing the theological guardians among the wider group.
• scribes (Greek: γραμματεῖς - grammateis): Referred to Jewish legal scholars and experts in the Mosaic Law. They were responsible for copying, preserving, teaching, and interpreting the Torah. They held a powerful and influential position in society and religion. Their identity highlights the weight and theological significance of their opposition.
• were sitting (Greek: καθήμενοι - kathēmenoi, a present participle from κάθημαι - kathēmai): Indicates an ongoing action, they "were seated" or "had been sitting." This posture might imply they were there to observe, listen, or even scrutinize Jesus, rather than just passing by. It emphasizes their settled presence and readiness for evaluation.
• there (Greek: ἐκεῖ - ekei): Refers to the location where the event took place, the crowded house in Capernaum. This detail situates the encounter geographically, placing it within Jesus' sphere of public ministry.
• questioning (Greek: διαλογιζόμενοι - dialogizomenoi, an imperfect participle from διαλογίζομαι - dialogizomai): Means "to deliberate, to reason, to argue within oneself, to dispute." The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing, persistent, internal debate or thought process, not a momentary fleeting doubt. This word often carries a connotation of negative or critical reflection in the Gospels, particularly when describing thoughts hostile to Jesus.
• in their hearts (Greek: ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις αὐτῶν - en tais kardiais autōn): In biblical thought, the "heart" (καρδία - kardia) is not merely the emotional center but the core of one's being, encompassing intellect, will, reason, and moral consciousness. The scribes' questioning was not merely an intellectual exercise but a deeply rooted conviction stemming from their most fundamental beliefs about God and authority. It was a secret, internal questioning that had not yet been voiced, but was deeply felt and processed in their inner beings.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now some of the scribes": This phrase introduces the key figures representing the religious establishment who are observing Jesus. "Some" signifies a collective but perhaps not universal, internal challenge from a specific subset of learned men. Their very presence implies scrutiny and judgment from a position of authority.
• "were sitting there": This paints a scene of passive observation that is about to become an active, though initially internal, challenge. It conveys a sense of them being settled and poised to analyze what they were witnessing.
• "questioning in their hearts": This highlights the immediate, internal, and theological reaction to Jesus' declaration. It signifies not merely casual thought but profound, critical deliberation from the very core of their religious and intellectual framework. Their hearts, as the seat of understanding and belief, were wrestling with Jesus' statement, perceiving it as a profound theological error or claim that directly impinged on God's unique prerogatives.

Mark 2 6 Bonus section

• The concept of the "heart" in the Bible as the totality of one's inner being—mind, will, and emotion—is crucial here. The scribes' "questioning" was not superficial but stemmed from their deepest theological convictions and their very core being.
• This verse illustrates a recurring theme in the Gospels: Jesus’ knowledge of thoughts (e.g., Matt 9:4; Lk 5:22; Jn 2:24-25), a characteristic consistently attributed to God alone in the Old Testament (e.g., Ps 139:1-4; Jer 17:10). This divine insight served as implicit evidence for Jesus’ identity even before He overtly declared it in His response to their thoughts.
• The conflict established here—Jesus’ divine authority vs. human religious tradition and understanding—recurs throughout Mark's Gospel, driving the narrative towards the cross. This verse is an early but clear indicator of the impending clash between Jesus' kingdom values and the prevailing religious order.

Mark 2 6 Commentary

Mark 2:6 serves as a pivotal verse, establishing the ideological battle lines between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. The scribes' silent questioning underscores the revolutionary nature of Jesus' claim to forgive sins. Forgiveness, in the Old Testament, was a divine act (Is 43:25; Jer 31:34; Ps 103:3), either directly from God or mediated through the temple sacrifice system. A human making such a pronouncement was unfathomable and blasphemous from their strict legalistic perspective (Mk 2:7). This internal "questioning" highlights their immediate theological alarm; they saw Jesus usurping God's exclusive authority.

What makes this passage profound is that Jesus knew their unvoiced thoughts (Mk 2:8). This divine omniscience, revealed instantly and implicitly to the reader, elevates the scene beyond a mere human argument. It confirms Jesus' true identity and authority. He responds not to their words, but to the deepest thoughts and reasoning of their hearts, demonstrating that His authority over the physical realm (healing the paralytic) is inseparable from His authority over the spiritual realm (forgiving sins). This confronts the scribes' intellectual and spiritual boundaries directly, challenging their pre-conceived notions of who the Messiah could be and what His power entailed. The verse sets the stage for a fundamental revelation about the true nature of Christ and the new covenant's approach to sin and redemption.