5:21 5:21

Luke 5:22

5:23 5:23

Bible Versions

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?
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}?
But Yeshua, knowing what they were think ing, answered, "Why are you turning over such thoughts in your hearts?
Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus replied, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
But Jesus perceiving their reasonings, answered and said unto them, Why reason ye in your hearts?

Luke 5:22 offers a profound glimpse into Jesus' divine nature, highlighting His supernatural insight into the human heart. This verse immediately follows Jesus' declaration of forgiveness to a paralytic man (Luke 5:20), a statement that provoked silent, critical questioning from the religious leaders present.

Context

This powerful exchange occurs during the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum. A large crowd, including Pharisees and doctors of the law from various towns, had gathered to hear Jesus. When four men, unable to get their paralyzed friend through the crowd, lowered him through the roof, Jesus first declared the man's sins forgiven. This act of spiritual authority was perceived as blasphemy by the scribes and Pharisees, who began to question within themselves, "Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" (Luke 5:21). Luke 5:22 is Jesus' direct and immediate response to their unspoken accusations.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Knowledge: The verse's core message is Jesus' unparalleled ability to "perceive their thoughts." This is not an educated guess but a supernatural understanding of the inner workings of the human mind, a trait that belongs uniquely to God (1 Chronicles 28:9). It powerfully attests to His omniscience and divine identity.
  • Authority to Forgive Sins: The implicit challenge from the religious leaders concerned Jesus' right to forgive sins. By knowing their thoughts, Jesus preempted their accusation and then proceeded to physically heal the paralytic (Luke 5:24-25), demonstrating His authority on earth to both forgive sins and command physical restoration.
  • The Heart's Intentions Revealed: Jesus' direct question, "What reason ye in your hearts?" exposes the internal skepticism and critical judgment of the Pharisees. It emphasizes that God looks beyond outward appearances and spoken words to the deepest thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "perceived" is epignous (ἐπιγνοὺς), meaning "having fully known" or "recognized." It denotes a deep, comprehensive, and intuitive understanding, not merely observation. The phrase "reason ye" comes from dialogizesthe (διαλογίζεσθε), which describes an internal process of deliberation, calculation, or even disputation. In this context, it highlights the critical, skeptical, and often negative internal questioning that the scribes and Pharisees were engaged in.

Practical Application

Luke 5:22 serves as a profound reminder that nothing is hidden from Jesus' sight. Our innermost thoughts, doubts, fears, and motivations are fully known to Him. This truth can be both comforting, as it assures us of His complete understanding, and convicting, as it calls us to examine our own hearts. It encourages us to cultivate sincerity in our faith and to align our internal reasoning with God's truth, knowing that He sees beyond our outward expressions.

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.

  • 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?
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