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?

Mark 2:8 At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" He asked. 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?

What does Mark 2:8 mean? 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?

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because ...

Mark 2:8. εὐθὺς ἐπιγνοὺς: Jesus read their thoughts at once, and through and through (ἐπὶ).— τῷ πνεύματι, by His spirit, as distinct from the ear, they having said nothing.

8 Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’?

8 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? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

8 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? 9 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 2:8 - 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? on StudyLight.org

What does Mark 2:8 mean? Read commentary on this popular Bible verse and understand the real meaning behind God's Word using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible.