Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:4
Jesus knowing ( ιδων seeing) their thoughts - In telling them what the thoughts of their hearts were, (for they had expressed nothing publicly), he gave them the fullest proof of his power to forgive sins; because God only can forgive sins, and God only can search and know the heart. Jesus pronounced the man's sins forgiven; and gave the scribes the fullest proof of his power to do so, by telling them what, in the secret of their souls, they thought on the subject. God sounds the secrets... read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:3
This man blasphemeth - Βλασφημεω comes either from βλαπτειν την φημην , to hurt or blast the reputation or credit of another, or from βαλλειν ταις φημαις , to smite with reports. Whenever it is used in reference to God, it simply signifies, to speak impiously of his nature, or attributes, or works. Injurious speaking is its proper translation when referred to man. The scribes were the literati of that time; and their learning, because not used in dependence on God, rendered them... read more