Matthew 9:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} knowing {G1492} their {G846} thoughts {G1761} said {G2036}, Wherefore {G2444} think {G1760} ye {G5210} evil {G4190} in {G1722} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua, knowing what they were thinking, said, "Why are you entertaining evil thoughts in your hearts?

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:4 presents a profound demonstration of Jesus' divine omniscience and authority, as He perceives and directly confronts the unspoken, critical thoughts of the scribes concerning His power to forgive sins. This pivotal moment, embedded within the narrative of the paralytic's healing, underscores that Jesus' authority extends not only over physical ailments but also over the deepest recesses of the human heart and the spiritual realm of sin, challenging the religious leaders' rigid understanding of divine prerogative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the narrative found in [Matthew 9:1-8](/matthew/9-1-8 "Matthew 9:1-8 - The Healing of the Paralytic"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus returns to Capernaum, where a paralytic man is brought to Him. Instead of merely healing his physical infirmity, Jesus first declares, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" ([Matthew 9:2](/matthew/9-2 "Matthew 9:2 - Jesus Forgives Sins")). This declaration is the catalyst for the scribes' internal, critical reaction. Their unspoken accusation of blasphemy is what Jesus then addresses in [Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knows Their Thoughts"). The subsequent verses ([Matthew 9:5-8](/matthew/9-5-8 "Matthew 9:5-8 - Proof of Authority")) see Jesus challenging them to consider which is easier—to forgive sins or to heal—and then physically healing the man to demonstrate His authority to do both, culminating in the crowd's awe and glorification of God. This passage is strategically placed by Matthew to highlight Jesus' supreme authority over sin, sickness, and even the thoughts of men, setting the stage for further displays of His power and the growing opposition from religious authorities.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes, often associated with the Pharisees, were highly respected religious scholars and interpreters of the Mosaic Law. In first-century Judaism, the forgiveness of sins was understood to be an exclusive prerogative of God. To claim the authority to forgive sins was, in their view, an act of blasphemy—a direct insult to God's unique power and holiness. Their internal "thoughts" were not merely intellectual disagreements but deeply ingrained theological convictions rooted in their understanding of the Law and God's character. Capernaum, a bustling town on the Sea of Galilee, served as Jesus' primary base of operations in Galilee, a place where He performed many miracles and taught extensively. The cultural expectation was that a prophet might heal, but only God could forgive sins. Jesus' actions, therefore, directly challenged the scribes' theological framework and their spiritual authority within the community.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 9:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew. The most prominent is **Jesus' Divine Authority and Omniscience**. His ability to "know their thoughts" is a clear demonstration of His divine nature, a characteristic attributed only to God in the Old Testament (e.g., [1 Kings 8:39](/1_kings/8-39 "1 Kings 8:39 - God Knows the Hearts of All Men") and [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")). This power validates His claim to forgive sins, a power that otherwise would be blasphemous. Another key theme is the **Nature of the Heart and Inner Life**. Jesus consistently emphasizes that true righteousness originates not merely from outward adherence to the law but from the condition of the heart ([Matthew 5:21-28](/matthew/5-21-28 "Matthew 5:21-28 - Jesus' Teaching on Murder and Adultery")). The scribes' "evil thoughts" reveal a spiritual blindness and pride that Jesus frequently confronts. Finally, the passage highlights **Jesus' Authority Over Sin and Sickness**, presenting Him as the one who can address humanity's deepest needs, both physical and spiritual, a theme reinforced throughout [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/1 "The Gospel According to Matthew").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowing (Greek, _eídō'_):** A primary verb meaning to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know. In this context, it signifies a profound, intuitive, and complete understanding, not merely a deduction or guess. Jesus' knowledge of their thoughts is presented as an inherent divine attribute, demonstrating His omniscient awareness of their innermost deliberations.
* **thoughts (Greek, _enthýmēsis'_):** From _enthyméomai_, meaning deliberation. This term refers to deep-seated reflections, reasonings, or internal ponderings of the mind. It is not a fleeting idea but a considered judgment or device. The scribes' "thoughts" were their carefully formed, unspoken accusations and theological objections.
* **evil (Greek, _ponērós'_):** From a derivative of _pónos_ (toil, pain); meaning hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence). This word suggests something more than just incorrect reasoning; it implies maliciousness, wickedness, or harmful intent stemming from their spiritual blindness, unbelief, and opposition to Jesus' divine authority. Their thoughts were not merely mistaken but actively detrimental to truth and grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said":** This clause immediately establishes Jesus' supernatural insight. The conjunction "And" connects this action directly to the scribes' internal accusation in the preceding verse. The phrase "knowing their thoughts" is crucial, revealing Jesus' divine omniscience—He did not need to be told or deduce what they were thinking; He perceived their inner reasonings directly and completely. This act sets Him apart from any mere human prophet and confirms His divine nature. His subsequent "said" is a direct, authoritative response to their silent, internal judgment.
* **"Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?":** This is a rhetorical question that serves as a direct challenge and rebuke. "Wherefore" (Greek, _hinatí'_) asks "for what reason?" or "why?" Jesus calls into question the very foundation of their internal deliberation. The phrase "think ye evil" points to the quality and moral nature of their thoughts. The term "evil" (_ponērós_) implies that their thoughts were not just erroneous, but spiritually harmful, malicious, or wicked, stemming from unbelief and spiritual pride. Finally, "in your hearts" emphasizes that God is concerned not just with outward actions or spoken words, but with the inner motivations, judgments, and intentions that originate from the core of a person's being. Jesus exposes the true spiritual state of His accusers.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:4 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Omniscience** is revealed as a key attribute of Jesus, demonstrating His divine nature by His ability to perceive the unspoken thoughts of the scribes. This is not merely a human inference but a supernatural discernment, reinforcing His identity as God incarnate. The verse also utilizes a **Rhetorical Question** ("Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but to provoke self-reflection and highlight the absurdity and spiritual bankruptcy of the scribes' internal accusations. This question serves as a direct **Confrontation** of their unbelief and spiritual pride, forcing them to acknowledge the moral quality of their inner deliberations. Furthermore, the passage employs **Juxtaposition** by contrasting Jesus' divine power and grace (forgiving sins and knowing hearts) with the scribes' human limitations, legalistic judgments, and internal malice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:4 profoundly underscores the theological truth that God is omniscient, perceiving not only our actions and words but also the deepest intentions and thoughts of our hearts. Jesus' ability to know the scribes' thoughts is a direct manifestation of His deity, affirming that He shares the attributes of God the Father. This challenges any notion that our inner lives are hidden from divine scrutiny, emphasizing that true righteousness begins in the heart. The scribes' "evil thoughts" highlight the pervasive nature of sin, which corrupts not only external behavior but also internal reasoning and motivation. Jesus' immediate confrontation of these thoughts demonstrates His authority to address the root of sin, preparing the way for His ultimate work on the cross to cleanse hearts and minds.

* [Psalm 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalm 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts")
* [Luke 5:22](/luke/5-22 "Luke 5:22 - Jesus Discerns Thoughts")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word Discerning Thoughts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:4 serves as a powerful and convicting reminder that nothing is hidden from God. Jesus' ability to penetrate the unspoken thoughts of the scribes calls us to a profound level of self-awareness and spiritual integrity. In a world often preoccupied with outward appearances and public perception, this verse redirects our focus to the inner sanctuary of the heart, where our true character is formed and our deepest motivations reside. It challenges us to examine the quality of our thoughts: are they aligned with God's truth, filled with grace and compassion, or are they tainted by judgment, pride, or unbelief? Just as Jesus exposed the "evil" in the scribes' hearts, we are invited to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate and purify our own inner lives, cultivating a mind that reflects Christ. This passage encourages us to live authentically before God, knowing that He sees beyond the façade and desires a heart fully devoted to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' ability to know thoughts challenge my own understanding of God's presence and knowledge in my life?**
* **In what ways might "evil thoughts" manifest in my own heart, and how can I address them in light of this passage?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the true nature of authority, both human and divine?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus' knowing their thoughts so significant?**

Answer: Jesus' knowing the scribes' thoughts is profoundly significant because it is a direct demonstration of His divine omniscience, an attribute belonging exclusively to God. In the Old Testament, only God is described as truly knowing the hearts and thoughts of humanity (e.g., [1 Kings 8:39](/1_kings/8-39 "1 Kings 8:39 - God Knows the Hearts of All Men")). By perceiving their unspoken accusations of blasphemy, Jesus validates His claim to be God and thus possesses the authority to forgive sins, which was the underlying issue. It moves beyond a mere miracle of healing to a revelation of His divine identity and power over the spiritual realm.

**What does "evil" mean in the context of the scribes' thoughts?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "evil" is _ponērós_ (G4190), which implies something more than just a mistake or an incorrect thought. It denotes something hurtful, malicious, wicked, or harmful in its effect or influence. In the context of the scribes, their thoughts were "evil" because they stemmed from spiritual pride, unbelief, and a hardened heart that resisted God's manifest power and presence in Jesus. Their internal judgment of Jesus as a blasphemer was not merely a theological error but a spiritually corrupt and hostile disposition towards the Son of God, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:4 is a powerful testament to the Christ-centered nature of the Gospel, revealing Jesus not merely as a prophet or healer, but as God incarnate. His ability to "know their thoughts" unequivocally establishes His divine omniscience, an attribute shared with the Father, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of a God who searches the heart and tests the mind ([Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")). This divine insight is crucial to His role as the Lamb of God, for He perfectly understood the depth of human sin, even its hidden manifestations in the heart, and thus knew precisely what was required for atonement. The scribes' "evil thoughts" foreshadow the pervasive unbelief and spiritual opposition Jesus would face, ultimately leading to His crucifixion. Yet, it is through His death and resurrection that Christ offers true forgiveness, not just for outward sins but for the "evil" thoughts and intentions of the heart, transforming us from within. He is the ultimate judge of hearts, who will one day judge the "secrets of men" ([Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges Secrets")), but also the compassionate Savior who cleanses and renews the inner being, making us new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

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

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:

Luke 6:8

But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Psalms 139:2

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

Luke 9:46

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

Luke 9:47

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

Luke 11:17

But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth.