Paragraph 9:4–8
9:4a
But: There is a contrast between 9:3b and 9:4a. The contrast is between the scribes thinking things without saying them out loud, and Jesus knowing what they were thinking.
Some English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction But. Other English versions do not use a conjunction here. Indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language.
Jesus knew what they were thinking and said: The clause knew what they were thinking is what prompted Jesus to say what he said to the scribes (in 9:4b–6a). In some languages, this may be expressed grammatically as a reason for what Jesus says. For example:
Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them (New Living Translation (2004))
In other languages, it is best to translate this clause as a separate sentence. For example:
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them (God’s Word)
9:4b
Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?: This is a rhetorical question. It is a rebuke. Jesus did have authority to forgive sins. So he rebuked the scribes for thinking that he had blasphemed God.
Here are some other ways to translate the rebuke:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Why are you thinking evil thoughts? (New Century Version)
-or-
How is it that you think evil thoughts in your hearts?
• As a statement. For example:
You ⌊are wrong for⌋ having evil thoughts in your hearts!
-or-
You should not think such evil thoughts in your hearts about me!
Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.
harbor evil in your hearts: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as harbor evil in your hearts is more literally “think evil things in your hearts.” The phrase in your hearts refers to the innermost being. In some languages, it is more natural to say “in your mind” or “inside.” For example:
have such evil thoughts in your minds (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
The meaning of the phrase in your hearts may be already understood from the expression harbor evil. So, in some languages, it may not be necessary to translate the phrase in your hearts. For example:
thinking such evil things (Good News Translation)
-or-
thinking evil thoughts (New Century Version)
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