New International VersionKnowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?
New Living TranslationJesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
English Standard VersionBut Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Berean Standard BibleBut Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
King James BibleAnd Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
New King James VersionBut Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
New American Standard BibleAnd Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
NASB 1995And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
NASB 1977And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
Amplified BibleBut Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Christian Standard BiblePerceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?
American Standard VersionAnd Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Contemporary English VersionBut Jesus knew what was in their minds, and he said, "Why are you thinking such evil things?
English Revised VersionAnd Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, "Why are you thinking evil things?
Good News TranslationJesus perceived what they were thinking, and so he said, "Why are you thinking such evil things?
International Standard VersionBut Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, replied, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
NET BibleWhen Jesus saw their reaction he said, "Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?
New Heart English BibleBut Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why think ye evil in your hearts?
Weymouth New TestamentKnowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
World English BibleJesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, “Why think evil in your hearts?
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Young's Literal Translation And Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, 'Why think ye evil in your hearts?
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jesus seeing their reflections, said, Why reflect ye within your hearts? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd when Jesus had perceived their thoughts, he said: “Why do you think such evil in your hearts?
New American BibleJesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts?
New Revised Standard VersionBut Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Jesus knew their thoughts; so he said to them, Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut Yeshua knew their thinking, and he said to them, “Why do you think evil things in your heart?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said: "Why do evil thoughts arise in your hearts?
Godbey New TestamentAnd Jesus seeing their thoughts said, Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Haweis New Testament
And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, wherefore do ye imagine evil things in your hearts?
Mace New Testament
and Jesus perceiving their reflections, said, why do you entertain so bad an opinion?
Weymouth New Testament
Knowing their thoughts Jesus said, "Why are you cherishing evil thoughts in your hearts?
Worrell New Testament
And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said,"Why think ye evil in your hearts?
Worsley New Testament
saidto them,Why think ye evil in your hearts?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jesus Heals a Paralytic… 3On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4ButJesusknewwhattheywere thinkingand said,“Whydo you harborevilinyourhearts?5Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’…
Cross References Mark 2:8At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked.
Luke 5:22Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
John 2:24-25But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
Hebrews 4:12-13For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. / Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
Jeremiah 17:10I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
1 Chronicles 28:9As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Psalm 139:1-4For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...
Proverbs 15:11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!
John 6:64However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
John 16:30Now we understand that You know all things and that You have no need for anyone to question You. Because of this, we believe that You came from God.”
Acts 1:24And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
Revelation 2:23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
Matthew 12:25Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
Luke 6:8But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand among us.” So he got up and stood there.
Treasury of Scripture And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Why think you evil in your hearts? knowing. Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: Matthew 16:7,8 And they reasoned among themselves, saying,It is because we have taken no bread… Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Wherefore. Ezekiel 38:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass,that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: Acts 5:3,4,9 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep backpart of the price of the land? … Acts 8:20-22 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money… Jump to Previous CherishingEntertainEvilHeartsJesusMindsThinkThinkingThoughtsWhereforeJump to Next CherishingEntertainEvilHeartsJesusMindsThinkThinkingThoughtsWhereforeMatthew 9 1.Jesus heals a paralytic9.calls Matthew from the receipt of custom;10.eats with tax collectors and sinners;14.defends his disciples for not fasting;20.cures the sick woman;23.raises Jairus' daughter from death;27.gives sight to two blind men;32.heals a mute man possessed of a demon;36.and has compassion on the multitude.But Jesus knew what they were thinkingThis phrase highlights Jesus' divine omniscience, a characteristic that sets Him apart as the Son of God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates His ability to perceive the thoughts and intentions of others, as seen in passages like John 2:24-25, where He knows what is in man. This ability fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, such as Isaiah 11:2-3, which speaks of the Spirit of the Lord resting upon Him, granting wisdom and understanding. Jesus' knowledge of their thoughts also underscores His authority and the truth of His teachings, as He can discern the hidden motives of the heart. and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
In this part of the verse, Jesus directly addresses the scribes and Pharisees, who were often critical of His ministry. The term "harbor evil" suggests a deliberate and persistent holding onto sinful thoughts, reflecting the hardened hearts of the religious leaders. This confrontation is consistent with Jesus' frequent rebukes of the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism, as seen inMatthew 23. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions.Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as deceitful and desperately wicked, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and transformation. Jesus' question challenges the leaders to examine their inner motives and recognize their need for repentance and faith in Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is demonstrating His divine knowledge and authority by perceiving the thoughts of those around Him. 2. Pharisees and ScribesReligious leaders who often opposed Jesus. In this context, they are questioning Jesus' authority and harboring skepticism and disbelief in their hearts. 3. CapernaumThe town where this event takes place. It serves as a significant location for Jesus' ministry and many of His miracles. 4. The ParalyticThe man whose healing prompts the questioning thoughts of the Pharisees and scribes. His healing is both physical and spiritual, as Jesus forgives his sins. 5. The CrowdWitnesses to the miracle and the exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders. Their reaction is one of awe and glorification of God. Teaching Points Divine InsightJesus' ability to know the thoughts of the Pharisees demonstrates His divine nature. As believers, we should be aware that God knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. Guarding the HeartThe Greek word for "harbor" implies deep consideration or deliberation. We must be vigilant about what we allow to dwell in our hearts, ensuring our thoughts align with God's truth. Confronting SkepticismJesus addresses the skepticism of the Pharisees directly. As Christians, we should be prepared to confront doubt and disbelief with truth and grace. Faith and ForgivenessThe healing of the paralytic illustrates the connection between faith and forgiveness. We are called to trust in Jesus' power to heal and forgive. Witnessing MiraclesThe crowd's reaction reminds us to glorify God when we witness His work in our lives and the lives of others. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 9
What are the core teachings of the Sermon on the Mount?
Can God perceive our thoughts?
What is The Great Deception about?
What is the Gospel of the Kingdom about?(4) Knowing their thoughts.--The better MSS. give "seeing," as with an immediate act of intuition. St. Mark adds his usual "immediately," and both he and St. Luke use the word which implies fulness of knowledge. Wherefore think ye evil?--Literally,evil things. The thoughts were evil because, in face of the mighty works and the divine wisdom of the Teacher, they were assuming that He had wantonly spoken words that involved the most extreme of all forms of sin against the God in whose name He taught. Verse 4. - And Jesus knowing; εἰδώς (but Textus Receptus, with margin of Westcott and Hort, and of Revised Version, ἰδών, "seeing" ); parallel passages, ἐπιγνούς. The difference of form with agreement in sense points to varying translations of ידע (so Peshito, in each place). Perhaps the same cause may also account for the difference in the next words, ἐνθυμήσεις ἐνθυμεῖσθε, but in the parallel passages, διαλογίζονται, διαλογισμούς διαλογίζεσθε (cf. also ver. 8). (For similar instances of our Lord's knowledge, cf. Matthew 12:25; Luke 6:8; Luke 9:47John 2:25; cf. further, supra, Matthew 8:10, note.) Their thoughts, said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?Evil ( πονηρά). Does the plural point to stages in their reasoning? or is it merely used because he was addressing more than one person?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek ButΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.knewεἰδὼς(eidōs)Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1492:To know, remember, appreciate.whatτὰς(tas)Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.theyαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.were thinkingἐνθυμήσεις(enthymēseis)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1761:Inward thought, reflection, plur: thoughts. From enthumeomai; deliberation.[and] said,εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“WhyἽνα‿(Hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.do you harborἐνθυμεῖσθε(enthymeisthe)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1760:To meditate upon, reflect upon, ponder. From a compound of en and thumos; to be inspirited, i.e. Ponder.evilπονηρὰ(ponēra)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4190:Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.yourὑμῶν(hymōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.hearts?καρδίαις(kardiais)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.
Links Matthew 9:4 NIVMatthew 9:4 NLTMatthew 9:4 ESVMatthew 9:4 NASBMatthew 9:4 KJV
Matthew 9:4 BibleApps.comMatthew 9:4 Biblia ParalelaMatthew 9:4 Chinese BibleMatthew 9:4 French BibleMatthew 9:4 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Matthew 9:4 Jesus knowing their thoughts said Why do (Matt. Mat Mt) |
