Matt. 9:4 'And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in
your hearts? 9:5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven
thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 9:6 But that ye may know that the
Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the
sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.'
When it said 'Jesus knowing their thoughts...' does it refer to his discernment through the Spirit or did Jesus literally know the thoughts of the people around him. If he knew it automatically then surly that would have been a great advantage in his ministry over those who tried to trick him.
[quote]Matt. 9:4 'And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in
your hearts? Â 9:5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven
thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? Â 9:6 But that ye may know that the
Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the
sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.'
When it said 'Jesus knowing their thoughts...' does it refer to his discernment through the Spirit or did Jesus literally know the thoughts of the people around him. If he knew it automatically then surly that would have been a great advantage in his ministry over those who tried to trick him. [/quote]
There is another verse that has the same intention
[quote]Luke 11:14-18 - And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a asign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.[/quote]
In this case they were saying the things Jesus responded to... so it was more than "Mind Reading" it was an ability to discern the intentions of their hearts... So I would have to say that it was the discernment of the spirit combined with a word of knowledge that gave him the ability to "know their thoughts."
Just my thoughts...