# perceiving what they were thinking

This phrase indicates that they were reasoning silently, so that Jesus sensed rather then heard what they were thinking.

# Why are you questioning this in your hearts?

This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "You should not argue about this in your hearts." or "You should not doubt that I have the authority to forgive sins." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# in your hearts

Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's minds or inner beings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])