Matthew 9:4 kjv

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4 nkjv

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4 niv

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4 esv

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4 nlt

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?

Matthew 9 verses

Matthew 9 4 Meaning

Matthew 9:4 reveals Jesus' divine omniscience and direct confrontation with the unseen thoughts of the scribes. As the scribes inwardly condemned Him for claiming to forgive sins, Jesus supernaturally perceived their critical and accusatory deliberations. He then challenged their hidden, "evil" intentions, which stemmed from a misguided perception of blasphemy, by asking why such wicked judgments occupied their minds. This moment serves as a clear demonstration of Jesus' authority not only over sin and sickness but also over the secret recesses of the human heart, affirming His unique divine nature.

Matthew 9 4 Context

Matthew 9:4 follows directly from Jesus healing a paralytic in Capernaum and declaring, "Your sins are forgiven." This statement provoked the scribes present, who immediately questioned Jesus' authority in their minds, labeling His declaration as blasphemy—a privilege reserved for God alone (Matt 9:3). The setting is a private home, likely crowded, emphasizing Jesus' direct engagement with individuals. Historically and culturally, the Jewish religious leaders (like the scribes) fiercely guarded the divine prerogatives, particularly concerning the forgiveness of sins, viewing any human claim to such power as an affront to God. This verse highlights Jesus' response not to spoken words but to internal, unspoken accusations, demonstrating a profound spiritual insight that exceeded mere human observation.

Matthew 9 4 Word analysis

• But Jesus (ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς - ho de Iēsous): The conjunction "but" indicates a contrast with the scribes' secret thoughts. It immediately sets Jesus apart.
• knowing (εἰδὼς - eidōs): A participle from the Greek verb eido (to know, perceive). This isn't knowledge gained through deduction, observation, or report. It signifies intuitive, immediate, and direct insight into the inner workings of another's mind. It points to divine omniscience, a power attributed only to God (Ps 139:2; Jer 17:10).
• their thoughts (αὐτῶν τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις - autōn tas enthymēseis): The Greek enthymēseis refers to deep-seated thoughts, reasonings, deliberations, or cogitations, often implying plans or intentions rather than fleeting ideas. This was not mere mental activity but a settled judgment or conclusion formed in their minds.
• said (εἶπεν - eipen): Jesus responded with an audible statement, challenging their silent accusations.
• Why do you think (Ἵνα τί ἐνθυμεῖσθε - Hina ti enthymeisthe): "Why" (Ἵνα τί - hina ti) indicates questioning the purpose or reason behind their internal reasoning. Enthymeisthe is the verb form of "thoughts," again emphasizing their internal mental activity.
• evil (πονηρά - ponēra): Refers to that which is morally bad, wicked, or malicious. Their thoughts were "evil" not just because they were wrong, but because they originated from envy, prejudice, or a lack of understanding regarding who Jesus was and what divine authority entails. They were judging from a limited, human perspective against God Himself (cf. Isa 55:8).
• in your hearts? (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν - en tais kardiais hymōn): In biblical anthropology, the "heart" (kardia) is not merely the emotional center but the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, reason, conscience, and moral character. Their evil thoughts sprang from the very essence of who they were (cf. Matt 15:19).

• "Jesus, knowing their thoughts": This phrase directly asserts Jesus' divinity. Only God can truly know the unuttered thoughts and intentions of the human heart (1 Chr 28:9, Jer 17:10). This immediate, non-communicated knowledge profoundly differentiates Jesus from any prophet or human teacher. It validates His claim to forgive sins, as it demonstrates His intrinsic unity with the omniscient God.
• "Why do you think evil in your hearts?": This rhetorical question is a direct challenge to the scribes' internal judgments. Jesus exposes their hidden opposition, demonstrating His absolute authority. The "evil" is not just that their thoughts were incorrect, but that they harbored malicious suspicion, quick to condemn divine action based on human limitations, highlighting a spiritual blindness to who stood before them. It reveals a deep issue with their moral character, not just their theology.

Matthew 9 4 Bonus section

This verse functions as a pre-emptive strike by Jesus. The scribes had not voiced their accusation, yet Jesus exposed it publicly. This served multiple purposes:

• Affirmation of Deity: For the audience, Jesus' ability to read thoughts was a clear sign of His divine identity and authority, lending credence to His unprecedented claim to forgive sins.
• Exposing Hypocrisy: For the scribes, it exposed their spiritual arrogance and judgmentalism, demonstrating that outward piety did not equate to inward righteousness.
• Educational for Disciples: It taught the disciples and listeners that God sees and responds to the inner condition of the heart, not just external expressions. It set the stage for later teachings on the heart's importance.
• Polemic against externalism: This act was a subtle but profound critique of a religious system overly concerned with external ritual and legalistic interpretation while neglecting the spiritual state of the heart and the true nature of divine authority. Their thoughts were evil, a precursor to many conflicts with the religious authorities in the Gospels.

Matthew 9 4 Commentary

Matthew 9:4 is a pivotal moment illustrating Jesus' divine nature. His immediate and unprompted knowledge of the scribes' private thoughts unveils His omniscience, a singular attribute of God. This divine insight served not merely as a spectacular demonstration of power but as direct validation of His authority to forgive sins. By knowing their hearts, Jesus directly exposed their silent accusation of blasphemy, turning their judgment back upon themselves. This reveals that true purity and wickedness originate within the "heart," underscoring the spiritual reality that God concerns Himself not only with actions but with our innermost intentions and secret thoughts. This confrontation highlights the sharp contrast between Jesus' true identity as the Son of God, capable of forgiving sins and knowing hearts, and the scribes' spiritual inability to recognize God's work manifesting before them.