Mark 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts?

NIV: Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?

NASB: Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, *said to them, 'Why are you thinking about these things in your hearts?

CSB: Right away Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

NLT: Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, 'Why do you question this in your hearts?

KJV: And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts

NKJV: But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?

This verse opens up a major theological debate: While Jesus is on earth as a man, does He have direct access to His power as God or does He rely on the Holy Spirit to give Him what He needs in the moment? When Jesus senses the thoughts of the scribes "in His spirit," is it through His own power or through the Holy Spirit?

This conundrum is referred to as "kenosis." When Jesus takes human form and comes to earth, He never loses His God-hood, but He does willingly set aside His glory and independent authority (Philippians 2:7). John 4:6 states that Jesus gets tired and Matthew 24:36 indicates Jesus' knowledge of divine things is limited, so He does have some self-imposed limitations.

Jesus has the clear insightfulness of a mind unclouded by sin, selfish gain, defensiveness, or pride. He also had been a great student (Luke 2:52). This clarity helps Him understand the motives of those around Him. But whether He knows the thoughts of the scribes through His own abilities or through the Holy Spirit, the Bible doesn't say.

Either way, it's likely Jesus knows the answer to the question He asks. God sometimes asks questions not because He needs information but because He wants people to admit the obvious answer. In Genesis 3:9, He asks Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" In Genesis 4:9, He asks Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" It's a way of directing the conversation and inviting the person into a dialogue that gives them the chance to reconsider their choices.

Jesus asks this question after He has declared the sins of a lame man to be forgiven. He knows that the instinct of the local religious leaders is to assume this is inappropriate. This opportunity for the scribes to reconsider is a grace because in Matthew 9:4, Jesus identifies the scribes' thoughts as "evil." Jesus not only knows their thoughts, but also the motivation for those thoughts. Matthew chapters 5 and 6 show that sin comes from our hearts, not just our actions.

Mark 2:1–12 records the first of five stories from the gospel of Mark which establish Jesus' claims to various spheres of authority. Jesus returns to Capernaum from His tour of Galilee, and the crowds regather. Here, Jesus declares that He has the power to forgive sins. A paralyzed man is brought into the crowded room through the roof. In response to the man's faith, Jesus declares his sins to be forgiven. When challenged by the scribes, Jesus proves His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This event is also recorded in Matthew 9:2–8 and Luke 5:17–26.

Mark chapter 2 follows the typical style of Mark's gospel with a rapid succession of stories. Jesus heals a man who cannot walk, but only after declaring the man's sins to have been forgiven. Jesus then calls Levi, one of the publically-reviled tax collectors, as a disciple and is seen eating with those the Pharisees view as ''sinners.'' Jesus then answers a challenge about fasting and defends His disciples when they violate the Pharisees' views on keeping the Sabbath. All of these events are met with some resistance from Jesus' critics. He responds in each case with a spiritual, reasonable defense.

In Mark chapter 1, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where He was tempted by Satan. He also taught and healed in Capernaum and throughout Galilee. In chapter 2, having returned to Capernaum, Jesus displays authority over four particular areas: the forgiveness of sins, social traditions, extra-biblical religious traditions, and the Sabbath. In response, the Pharisees—legalistic religious leaders—escalate their antagonism toward Him, culminating in a direct condemnation of His teachings. This sets the scene for Mark 3:6 when the religious and national leadership first get the idea to destroy Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.