Matthew 9 · Verse 4

Matthew 9:4

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Matthew 9:4, King James Version

Matthew 9:4 in other translations

BSBBut Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?
WEBJesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
ASVAnd Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
YLTAnd Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, ‘Why think ye evil in your hearts?
DARBYAnd Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, Why do ye think evil things in your hearts?
BBEAnd Jesus, having knowledge of what was in their minds, said, Why are your thoughts evil?
WebsterAnd Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why think ye evil in your hearts?

What does Matthew 9:4 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Jesus knowing their thoughts. Mark says, "Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned". The power of searching the hearts, and knowing the thoughts of men, belongs only to God, 1Chr 28:9, Rom 8:27, Rev 2:23, Jer 17:10. In claiming this, as Jesus did here, and often elsewhere, he gave clear proofs of his omniscience, Jn 2:24,25.

(p) "their thoughts said" Ps 139:2, Jn 2:24, Heb 4:12, Rev 2:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Jesus knowing (ιδων seeing) their thoughts - In telling them what the thoughts of their hearts were, (for they had expressed nothing publicly), he gave them the fullest proof of his power to forgive sins; because God only can forgive sins, and God only can search and know the heart. Jesus pronounced the man's sins forgiven; and gave the scribes the fullest proof of his power to do so, by telling them what, in the secret of their souls, they thought on the subject. God sounds the secrets of all hearts - no sin escapes his notice; how senseless then is the sinner to think he sins securely when unseen by men! Let us take heed to our hearts, as well as to our conduct, for God searches out and condemns all that does not spring from, and leads not to himself.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 9:1-8

The faith of the friends of the paralytic in bringing him to Christ, was a strong faith; they firmly believed that Jesus Christ both could and would heal him. A strong faith regards no obstacles in pressing after Christ. It was a humble faith; they brought him to attend on Christ. It was an active faith. Sin may be pardoned, yet the sickness not be removed; the sickness may be removed, yet the sin not pardoned: but…

Read the full comment on Matthew 9:1-8 →

Matthew 9:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἰδὼνidōnseeingG1492
ὁho<the>G3588
ἸησοῦςIēsousJesusG2424
τὰςtastheG3588
ἐνθυμήσειςenthumēseisthoughtsG1761
αὐτῶνautōnof themG846
εἶπεν·eipenHe said;G2036
ἱνατίhinatiso whyG2443
ἐνθυμεῖσθεenthumeisthethinkG1760
πονηρὰponēraevilG4190
ἐνeninG1722
ταῖςtaistheG3588
καρδίαιςkardiaisheartsG2588
ὑμῶν;humōnof you?G4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 9:4

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • 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.

  • Luke 9:46-47

    Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

  • Psalms 139:2

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

  • 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.

  • Psalms 44:21

    Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

  • John 16:30

    Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

  • Hebrews 4:12-13

    For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • John 2:24-25

    But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

  • Acts 5:9

    Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

  • John 16:19

    Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
knowing.
12:25; 16:7,8; Ps 44:21; 139:2; Mr 2:8; 8:16,17; 12:15; Lu 5:22
Lu 6:8; 7:40; 9:46,47; 11:17; Joh 2:24,25; 6:61,64; 16:19,30; 21:17
Heb 4:12,13; Re 2:23
Wherefore.
Eze 38:10; Ac 5:3,4,9; 8:20-22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 9:3

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

  • Matthew 9:4

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

  • Matthew 9:5

    For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Read all of Matthew 9

Matthew 9:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y viendo Jesús sus pensamientos, dijo: ¿Por qué pensáis mal en vuestros corazones?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Jésus, voyant leurs pensées, dit: Pourquoi pensez-vous du mal dans vos cœurs?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und als Jesus ihre Gedanken sah, sprach er: Warum denket ihr Arges in euren Herzen?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Et cum vidisset Jesus cogitationes eorum, dixit: Ut quid cogitatis mala in cordibus vestris?