Luke 5:22

KJV

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} perceived {G1921} their {G846} thoughts {G1261}, he answering {G611} said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, What {G5101} reason ye {G1260} in {G1722} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua, knowing what they were think ing, answered, "Why are you turning over such thoughts in your hearts?

Berean Standard Bible

Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

American Standard Version

But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 5:22 offers a profound revelation of Jesus' divine omniscience, showcasing His supernatural ability to discern the unexpressed, critical thoughts of the religious leaders. This pivotal moment immediately follows Jesus' unprecedented declaration of forgiveness to a paralytic, a claim that silently provoked accusations of blasphemy in the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus' direct response to their unspoken reasoning powerfully asserts His divine authority, not only over physical ailments but also over the deepest intentions of the human heart.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and immediate response to the silent, internal accusations of the scribes and Pharisees, as described in [Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Luke 5:21 - The Scribes' Questioning"). The preceding narrative in [Luke 5:17-20](/luke/5-17-20 "Luke 5:17-20 - Healing of the Paralytic") sets the scene: Jesus is teaching in a house filled with a large crowd, including religious authorities from all over Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. When a paralytic is lowered through the roof, Jesus' initial response is not physical healing, but the declaration, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee" ([Luke 5:20](/luke/5-20 "Luke 5:20 - Jesus Forgives the Paralytic")). This spiritual claim, rather than a physical one, is what triggers the internal theological dispute among the religious leaders, to which Jesus responds in [Luke 5:22](/luke/5-22 "Luke 5:22 - Jesus Perceives Their Thoughts"), demonstrating His divine insight before proceeding to command the paralytic to rise in [Luke 5:24](/luke/5-24 "Luke 5:24 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Capernaum, a significant center for Jesus' ministry. The presence of "Pharisees and doctors of the law" from various regions highlights the widespread interest and scrutiny surrounding Jesus. These religious leaders were the guardians and interpreters of the Mosaic Law and Jewish tradition. Their internal questioning, "Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" ([Luke 5:21](/luke/5-21 "Luke 5:21 - The Scribes' Questioning")) reflects their accurate understanding that only God possesses the authority to forgive sins. Their challenge was not against the concept of divine forgiveness, but against Jesus' claim to it, which they perceived as an usurpation of God's unique prerogative, hence blasphemy. This cultural understanding of God's exclusive right to forgive sins forms the critical backdrop against which Jesus' divine perception and subsequent actions are to be understood.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 5:22](/luke/5-22 "Luke 5:22 - Jesus Perceives Their Thoughts") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' Divine Knowledge and Authority**. His ability to "perceive their thoughts" is a clear demonstration of omniscience, a divine attribute that distinguishes Him from all human teachers and prophets. This theme is further developed as Jesus proceeds to prove His authority to forgive sins by commanding the paralytic to walk, as seen in [Luke 5:24-25](/luke/5-24-25 "Luke 5:24-25 - Jesus' Authority to Forgive and Heal"). Secondly, the passage highlights the **Conflict Between Jesus and Religious Authority**. The Pharisees and scribes represent the established religious order, whose rigid adherence to tradition often blinded them to God's new work. Their internal "reasoning" reveals their skepticism and opposition, setting the stage for ongoing confrontations throughout Jesus' ministry. Finally, it emphasizes the **Revelation of the Heart's Intentions**. Jesus' question, "What reason ye in your hearts?" points to the biblical truth that God looks beyond outward appearances to the true state of one's heart, a principle echoed throughout Scripture, such as in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **perceived (Greek, _epiginṓskō'_):** From G1921, meaning "to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge." In this context, it signifies a deep, comprehensive, and intuitive understanding, far beyond mere observation or deduction. Jesus didn't guess; He possessed full, intimate knowledge of their internal deliberations.
* **thoughts (Greek, _dialogismós'_):** From G1261, meaning "discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate." This word describes the internal, often critical, reasoning or disputation occurring within the minds of the scribes and Pharisees. It points to a process of mental calculation, skepticism, and judgment.
* **reason ye (Greek, _dialogízomai'_):** From G1260, meaning "to reckon thoroughly, i.e. (genitive case) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion)." This verb form emphasizes the active process of internal questioning, calculating, and disputing that the religious leaders were engaged in. It highlights their critical and skeptical mental activity concerning Jesus' claim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when Jesus perceived their thoughts":** This clause reveals Jesus' divine omniscience. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a contrast with the unstated thoughts of the religious leaders. While they silently questioned His authority, Jesus, without being told, fully "perceived" (G1921, _epiginṓskō_) their "thoughts" (G1261, _dialogismós_), demonstrating an intimate knowledge of their innermost reasoning and skepticism. This perception is not psychological insight but supernatural discernment.
* **"he answering said unto them, 'What reason ye in your hearts?'":** Jesus' response is an "answering" (G611, _apokrínomai_) to their unspoken thoughts, further emphasizing His divine awareness. His direct question, "What reason ye (G1260, _dialogízomai_) in your hearts (G2588, _kardía_)?" brings their hidden skepticism into the open. The "heart" (G2588, _kardía_) in biblical thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being, including intellect, will, and moral character. Jesus directly confronts the source of their critical internal debate, challenging them to acknowledge their true intentions and the implications of His divine authority.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 5:22 masterfully employs **Omniscience** as a thematic device, showcasing Jesus' divine attribute of knowing all things, particularly the hidden thoughts of individuals. This is not merely a literary flourish but a theological statement about His nature. The verse also utilizes a **Rhetorical Question** ("What reason ye in your hearts?"), which is not asked for information but to expose and challenge the listeners' internal state, forcing them to confront their own skepticism and the implications of Jesus' divine power. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play: the religious leaders believe they are silently judging Jesus, but Jesus is, in fact, judging and exposing them through His divine perception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 5:22 is a profound theological statement, asserting Jesus' divine nature through His attribute of omniscience. The ability to know the thoughts and intentions of the human heart is a prerogative explicitly reserved for God alone in the Old Testament. By demonstrating this power, Jesus subtly yet powerfully claims equality with God, challenging the very premise of the religious leaders' silent accusations. This divine insight into the heart is foundational to His authority to forgive sins, for only God, who knows the depth of human sinfulness and the sincerity of repentance, can truly grant pardon. It underscores that Jesus' authority is not merely delegated but inherent, stemming from His divine identity.

* [1 Chronicles 28:9](/1_chronicles/28-9 "1 Chronicles 28:9 - God Searches All Hearts")
* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked to God's Eyes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 5:22 serves as a deeply convicting and comforting truth for believers today. It reminds us that Jesus is not merely concerned with our outward actions or spoken words, but He intimately knows the deepest recesses of our hearts—our unspoken doubts, hidden motives, secret struggles, and unexpressed criticisms. This divine transparency calls us to a radical sincerity in our faith. There is no pretense with Christ; He sees us as we truly are. This truth should prompt us to examine our own "reasoning in our hearts," confessing any skepticism, pride, or judgmental attitudes that may reside there. Simultaneously, it offers immense comfort, knowing that the One who understands us completely also loves us unconditionally and offers forgiveness and healing. It encourages us to bring our whole selves, including our most hidden thoughts, before Him in prayer and worship, trusting in His perfect knowledge and grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What unspoken "thoughts" or "reasonings" might I be holding in my heart that Jesus already perceives?**
* **How does the truth of Jesus' omniscience impact my sense of accountability and my desire for authenticity in my faith?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to silently judging others, and how can I bring those thoughts before Christ for transformation?**
* **How does knowing that Jesus perceives my deepest thoughts bring me comfort or conviction?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus literally read their minds, or was this a prophetic discernment?**

Answer: While the Bible does not explicitly detail the exact mechanism, the Greek word _epiginṓskō_ (G1921), translated as "perceived," suggests a profound and comprehensive knowing, not merely an educated guess or observation of body language. Coupled with other instances of Jesus knowing people's thoughts (e.g., [Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts"), [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")), it points to a supernatural, divine ability to truly "read" or "know" the contents of their minds and hearts. This is a demonstration of His inherent omniscience, an attribute of God, rather than merely a prophetic gift.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 5:22 profoundly reveals Jesus as the incarnate God, possessing divine omniscience—a truth that finds its ultimate fulfillment in His identity as the Christ. His ability to "perceive their thoughts" is not merely a miraculous feat but a direct manifestation of His divine nature, aligning Him with the God of Israel who alone "knows the hearts of all the children of men" ([1 Kings 8:39](/1_kings/8-39 "1 Kings 8:39 - God Knows the Heart")). This divine insight is crucial to His redemptive work: as the Christ, He understands the true depth of human sin, which originates in the heart ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Comes from the Heart Defiles")). Therefore, only He, who perfectly knows the heart, can perfectly forgive its sins. His perception of the Pharisees' internal reasoning foreshadows His role as the ultimate judge, who will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts" ([1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Will Judge Hidden Things")). Moreover, this intimate knowledge means that as our High Priest, He fully comprehends our weaknesses and temptations, enabling Him to intercede perfectly on our behalf ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")). Thus, Luke 5:22 is a powerful testimony to the Christ who is both fully God and fully man, capable of both knowing our deepest thoughts and offering the ultimate salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 24:38

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Psalms 139:2

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?

Mark 8:17

And when Jesus knew [it], he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?

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:

Isaiah 66:18

For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

Matthew 9:4

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