“Why reason ye these things in your hearts?”
The full verse · Mark 2:8 · KJV
when in they , he unto , reason these ?
The Scene
Certain scribes sit in the house silently accusing Jesus of blasphemy for forgiving a paralyzed man's sins (Mark 2:6-7).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus answered what the scribes had not said aloud. Mark says He "perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves." His question brings their hidden objection into the open so He can answer it, and it presses them to look at why they were reasoning that way. Barnes, on the parallel in Matthew, says this knowledge was itself a sign of who Jesus is: "the power of searching the heart, and of knowing the thoughts of people, belongs only to God." Gill likewise credits it to His divine nature, by which "he knew all things, even the most sacred thoughts of men's hearts."
The Response
What Scripture recordsMark records no reply from the scribes. Jesus went on with a second question, "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?" (Mark 2:9). Then He answered by action: "that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," He told the man to arise (Mark 2:10-11). The man "arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all," and "they were all amazed, and glorified God" (Mark 2:12).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsMark uses the same verb twice in this verse: the scribes "reasoned" and Jesus asks why they "reason." It is dialogizomai, to reason or deliberate inwardly. "Perceived" translates epiginosko, to know or recognize, and Mark says Jesus knew it "in his spirit," not by being told. Matthew words the question, "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4), and Luke, "What reason ye in your hearts?" (Luke 5:22).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows that nothing is hidden from Jesus. The scribes accused Him of claiming what belongs to God, and in that very moment He did what Barnes says belongs only to God: He read their hearts. Their silent objection became part of the proof.
Yet Jesus did not use that knowledge to shame them and walk away. He asked a question, reasoned with them (Mark 2:9), and gave them evidence "that ye may know" (Mark 2:10). Hebrews says all things are "naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13), and in the same breath invites us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).
Look Closer
How did Jesus know what the scribes were thinking?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, You see what I reason in my heart; what thoughts about You do You want me to bring into the open with You?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Jesus asked the scribes why they reasoned as they did. What assumptions shape your first reaction when Jesus does something you did not expect?
- Tell about a time someone understood what you were thinking before you said it. How did it feel to be known that way?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Jesus knows the conversations you have only in your heart. That can feel uncomfortable, but look at what He did with that knowledge here. He did not crush the scribes. He asked a question and gave them reason to believe (Mark 2:9-11). You can bring your hidden doubts and objections to Him openly.
This does not mean questions about Jesus are wrong. The scribes' problem was not that they wondered, but that they condemned Him in their hearts without asking. When you find yourself reasoning against Him, take those thoughts to Him.
Scripture's own application: Hebrews 4:12-16
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?”
“What reason ye in your hearts?”
“Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?”
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?”