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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
But from fear of the multitude, the Pharisees durst not openly expose their designs, but only meditated them in their hearts Hence it follows, And they began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies?
Cyril of Alexandria
By this they hasten the sentence of death, for it was commanded in the law, that whoever blasphemed God should be punished with death. (Lev. 24:16.)
Ephrem the Syrian
Now the Pharisee, while he was doubting concerning our Lord, that He was not a prophet, pledged himself to the truth unawares, in saying—Had this man been a prophet, he would have known that this woman is a sinner. Therefore, if it should be found that our Lord knew that she was a sinner, He is, according to thy word, O Pharisee, a prophet. Our Lord, therefore, hastened to show both that she was a sinner, and that her sins were many; that the testimony of his own mouth might confute him as a liar. …
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
From the Pharisees themselves therefore the Son of God receives testimony. For it is both more powerful evidence when men confess unwillingly, and a more fatal error when they who deny are left to the consequence of their own assertions. Hence it follows, Who can forgive sins, but God only? Great is the madness of an unbelieving people, who though they have confessed that it is of God alone to forgive sins, believe not God when He forgives sins.
Bede
And the scribes and Pharisees began to consider, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" The scribes speak the truth, because no one can forgive sins except God, who also forgives through those to whom He has granted the power to forgive. And therefore Christ is proved to truly be God, because He can forgive sins as God. They truly bear witness to God, but by denying the person of Christ, they are deceived. …
Bonaventure
Now there is added secondly the discernment of thoughts in the mind of the blasphemers, when it is said: And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, vain and harmful thoughts: Romans 1: "They became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened." And the expression of the thought follows, when he adds: saying, namely in their hearts, according to that of the Psalm: "The things you say in your hearts, upon your beds be moved to compunction." Who is this, who speaks blasphemy? …
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