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Explanation for:
Matthew
9
:
4
And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts?
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Lord, perceiving their inner thoughts, revealed Himself as the Almighty, capable of discerning the concealed aspects of the heart, and, as if quietly affirming, stated: ‘With the same authority and strength with which I perceive your intentions, I can also forgive individuals of their sins. You will come to realize what is required for the healing of the paralytic.’"},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In the miracle of healing the paralytic, Jesus Christ provides a significant demonstration of His divine nature and His oneness with God the Father. The scribes asserted that the authority to forgive sins is reserved for God alone; however, He not only forgives sins but also discloses a divine attribute by revealing the hidden thoughts of the heart. The scribes concealed their thoughts in public, yet the knowledge of the heart's secrets belongs solely to God. Solomon teaches us, “for you weigh the hearts of the children of men” (2 Chronicles 6:30), as does David, stating, “God tests the hearts and minds” (Psalm 7:10), and Jeremiah, who declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Moreover, God Himself states, “For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Various scriptures manifest that only God has the knowledge of the heart's mysteries. Thus, in revealing the inner thoughts of the scribes—thoughts they dared not voice out of fear of the people—He demonstrates His divine status, all the while displaying immense humility. He questions them gently, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” \\n\\nThe paralytic, who could have felt deceived by the apparent lack of healing, instead trusts in the Healer’s authority. Meanwhile, the scribes, filled with pride and jealousy, criticize the blessings He bestows upon others. The Savior gently reprimands them, presenting further evidence of His divinity by disclosing their concealed thoughts. \\n\\nWhat is Christ doing? He is unveiling their deepest reflections to manifest the power of His divine nature before performing the physical healing of the paralytic. It is uniquely God’s prerogative to understand the innermost thoughts of people, as indicated by scripture: “You alone know the heart of all the sons of men” (1 Samuel 8:39). Notice that the term “alone” is not used in contrast to the Son. If the Father is alone in understanding hearts, how can the Son also comprehend the innermost thoughts of individuals? The Evangelist notes, “He did not need anyone to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:25), and Paul, emphasizing that it is God who discerns hidden things, writes: “He who searches the hearts” (Romans 8:27), attributing the same weight to these words as to God’s name. \\n\\nWhen I refer to “He who sends the rains,” I am directly pointing to God’s sole authority over such actions; similarly, saying “He who raises the sun” directs us to Him, even without mentioning God. Likewise, when Paul states, “He who searches hearts,” he affirms this exclusive role belongs only to Him. If this phrase did not carry the same significance as God's name, it would not stand alone. If it were something common to both God and creation, it would leave hearers confused about whom the statement concerns. Thus, when such an attribute is assigned to the Father, it simultaneously applies to the Son, revealing His equality with Him."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In this passage, He further presents an undeniable demonstration of His Divinity and His oneness with the Father, specifically through His ability to discern the intentions of their hearts, a trait unique to God alone. It is stated: You alone weigh the hearts of the sons of men; and once more: God who tests hearts and wombs; and in another instance: man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. Given that they rejected this evidence as impossible, He refers to it as certain and uses it to affirm the previous claims, suggesting: truly, no one has the authority to forgive sins except the one who knows the innermost thoughts of humanity."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Behold the nature and attributes of the Godhead of Jesus Christ! Only God perceives the intentions of humanity and alone has the authority to evaluate both the wicked and virtuous thoughts within our hearts. This truth is affirmed by God Himself through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘I am the Lord who searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve’ (Jeremiah 17:10); and as declared by the psalmist David: ‘O God who examines the heart and the mind’ (Ps. 7:10). Such revelations instill a reverent fear within us, compelling us not only to refrain from wrongful actions but also to guard against sinful thoughts. For Jesus Christ, being true God, aware of the scribes' inward reflections, addressed them directly, ‘Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?’ After making this statement, He proceeded to disclose their very thoughts, saying:"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In His desire to demonstrate His divinity and equality with the Father, the Lord disclosed what the scribes merely contemplated within themselves, afraid of the crowd's reaction. Even in this moment, Jesus exhibited remarkable compassion: perceiving their thoughts in His spirit (Mark 2:8), He asked, \\"WHY do you harbor evil thoughts against me in your hearts, even though you do not voice them?\\" He was aware that they considered, \\"It’s easy for anyone to receive glory: go and proclaim to anyone, and your sins will be forgiven. But where is the evidence that your sins are truly forgiven? This is the work of the Almighty, a task concealed from human sight. Demonstrate to us, not through words but through actions, that you possess the authority to declare this, that you are truthful when you claim the right to forgive sins. Indeed, only He who understands the hearts of men can grant such absolution. Therefore, know that I am aware of your innermost thoughts.\\" As St. Philaret observes, consider what this revelation of omniscience meant for those affected. To them, it was daunting to unveil their disgraceful thoughts before the people. Just imagine their embarrassment and astonishment when their hidden intentions were exposed; not only were their thoughts laid bare, but also the humiliating reality of their insincerity and timidity. Ultimately, through the miraculous words and deeds of the Lord Jesus, it was clear that their thoughts were not only vile but also sinful."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Understanding their innermost thoughts and feelings is a divine prerogative, belonging solely to God (1 Chron. 28:9, Jer. 17:10, Acts 2:23, Rom. 8:27); similarly, this characteristic is ascribed to the Messiah (Jn. 2:24-25). - The term ‘wretched’ reflects their perception of Me as a blasphemer, contrasting with the faith exhibited by the afflicted man and those who brought him, who possess deep and unwavering belief in Me. - When I mention ‘in your hearts,’ it acknowledges your unvoiced sentiments. Therefore, understand that I discern what resides within your hearts; I embody omniscience, an attribute that belongs exclusively to God, along with the authority to forgive sins. Thus, if I possess omniscience, I also hold this power."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Through the disclosure of their inner thoughts, Jesus demonstrates that possessing the all-knowing nature of God entails, without a doubt, the authority to grant forgiveness for sins."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The one who breaks hearts perceived their deepest reflections and asked, 'Why do you harbor these thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier to proclaim—to a paralyzed man, “Your transgressions are pardoned,” or to declare, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk?” The healing of the spirit—granting forgiveness—is an unseen act of God’s grace, while the restoration of the body is a tangible evidence of the Creator’s infinite power."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The homes of the Jewish people were typically structured with a central courtyard flanked by living quarters. This courtyard was usually open but could be covered with wooden, leather, or cloth shields during bad weather. The rooftops were flat, and access was provided by stairs from either the courtyard or the street. In many cases, rooftops of adjacent homes were linked, separated only by a permissible railing (Deuteronomy 22:8). Regarding roof construction, a thick layer of reeds was laid atop the ceiling boards, covered with brushwood, followed by a substantial layer of earth, which might be topped with tiles. Given the typical layout of eastern residences, the scenes described by the Evangelists could easily unfold whether Jesus was in the courtyard or inside the house. In the account from Mark (v. 4), it is noted that those who brought the paralyzed man made a significant effort to remove part of the roof (εξορυξαντες). Thus, it can be inferred that it was indeed the household's roof that needed to be dismantled by breaking the mortar holding the tiles, followed by digging through the earth, and ultimately taking apart the ceiling. The bed upon which the sick man was carried was likely lightweight, something manageable enough for him to hold after his healing, perhaps akin to felt that could serve for rest during journeys and similar situations as presented here. Recognizing the faith of those who had brought him, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, \\"Child, your sins are forgiven you.\\" The Pharisees present interpreted Jesus' statement as blasphemy, asserting that forgiveness of sins belonged solely to God. In response, Christ conveyed that healing a sick person is just as significant as forgiving a person's sins. Therefore, if they acknowledged His authority to heal, which they could not deny, they should also recognize His ability to forgive sins. To counter any doubts the Pharisees might have about His statement, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' Jesus instructed the healed man, \\"Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.\\" The immediate impact of Christ's command would have led the Pharisees to conclude similarly that His declaration of forgiveness held true efficacy. The phrase \\"Son of man on earth\\" contrasts with the perception of God, who resides in heaven, as understood by the Pharisees."}]}
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