Devine Scripture

Luke 5:22

What does Luke 5:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 5:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 5:22 means

Jesus perceives their inner reasoning and asks why they reason in their hearts. He exposes private skepticism and pushes the debate from hidden thoughts to public recognition. Jesus’ insight into inner motives demonstrates his prophetic awareness and authority to judge hearts. By making their private accusations visible, he forces a response that will reveal the legitimacy of his claim. The question also opens the way for Jesus to illustrate his authority through action: healing the man physically to validate his declaration of forgiven sins.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Jesus, who had knowledge of their thoughts, said to them, Why are you reasoning in your hearts?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus having known their reasonings, answering, said unto them, `What reason ye in your hearts?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Jesus, knowing their reasonings, answering said to them, Why reason ye in your hearts?

Context

This verse follows the scribes’ murmuring and precedes Jesus’ rhetorical question about which is easier. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ ability to perceive unspoken thoughts, which heightens the drama of the scene. By confronting inward judgment, Jesus reframes the conflict and prepares to prove his authority with a visible sign. The verse sets up the logical challenge that follows and the demonstration that will silence critics and elicit worship from observers.

v.21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

v.22This passage

v.23Which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 66:18

    For Iknowtheir works and their thoughts: the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory.

  • Psalms 139:2

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

  • Luke 24:38

    And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • Proverbs 15:26

    Evil devices are an abomination to Jehovah; But pleasant wordsarepure.

  • Revelation 2:23

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

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