Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:4

What does Matthew 9:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:4 means

Jesus, fully aware of the scribes' unspoken accusations, confronts their evil thoughts by questioning their internal wickedness. This demonstrates His divine omniscience, knowing not just their words but the very intentions of their hearts. His question challenges them to consider the nature of their judgment, revealing their self-righteousness and spiritual blindness in condemning His merciful act toward the paralytic.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, having knowledge of what was in their minds, said, Why are your thoughts evil?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, `Why think ye evil in your hearts?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, Why do ye think evil things in your hearts?

Context

Responding directly to the scribes' unspoken accusations, Jesus reveals His divine knowledge of their thoughts. This verse is key because it shifts the confrontation from their internal dissent to an open challenge from Jesus. It provides the setup for His logical argument that follows, aiming to expose their faulty reasoning and justify His authority to forgive sins.

v.3And behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

v.4This passage

v.5For which is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 139:2

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

  • Acts 8:20

    But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.

  • Luke 9:46

    And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.

  • Ezekiel 38:10

    Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: It shall come to pass in that day, that things shall come into thy mind, and thou shalt devise an evil device:

  • Luke 5:22

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

  • John 21:17

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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