Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "even that which he seemeth to have" is a bit of a subtle trap; it doesn't mean he only appears to have something, but rather that what he thinks he possesses—even something as valuable as God's word—will be taken away if he doesn't actively engage with it. This highlights that true possession comes from using and applying what God gives us, not just passively holding onto it.
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just explained the parable of the sower, showing how people respond differently to God's message. Now, he issues a direct warning, emphasizing that how you listen to his words matters immensely, because those who truly grasp and act on what they hear will receive even more understanding, while those who don't will lose even the little they thought they possessed.
Jesus just told the parable of the sower, and his disciples were probably thinking, 'Okay, what does that mean for us?' This verse is his direct answer.
Jesus isn't just talking about listening passively; he's talking about how we receive and respond to God's Word. Think of the parable: the seed (God's word) lands on different soils. Some soils are hard, some shallow, some choked by weeds. Only the good soil, the receptive heart, lets the seed grow.
This verse is a call to cultivate that good soil within ourselves. It's about preparing our hearts to truly take in what God is saying, not just hearing the sounds, but allowing the truth to sink in and take root.
Jesus uses a strong, almost paradoxical statement: 'even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.' What does that really mean?
This part of the verse tackles the idea of spiritual complacency. It's possible to think you have something – a grasp of truth, a level of understanding, a spiritual experience – but if you aren't actively engaging with it, growing from it, and living it out, that 'possession' is fragile.
The scholars point out that 'seemeth to have' isn't about delusion, but about a shallow, unexercised possession. It's like having a key but never opening the door, or having a map but never starting the journey. If you have a little light but refuse to let it shine, or a small truth but refuse to build on it, even that semblance of possession will be removed. True spiritual life requires growth and active engagement, not just passive acknowledgement.
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Jesus states a fundamental principle: 'to the one who has, more will be given.' This isn't about earning favor; it's about a divine principle of growth.
This is the positive side of the coin. When we truly hear, when we open our hearts to God's Word and let it take root, a beautiful cycle begins. God doesn't just give us a static amount of understanding or grace; He promises more.
This 'more' can take many forms: deeper insight into Scripture, greater wisdom for decisions, increased capacity for love and service, a stronger faith, a more intimate relationship with Him. It's like a muscle that grows stronger with use, or a flame that burns brighter when fanned. The key is that we are actively 'having' – meaning we are possessing, engaging with, and acting upon what God has already given us.
Understand the original words
akouō · Greek Verb
The faculty of spiritual perception; it involves not just listening, but understanding, obeying, and applying the truth of God's Word. It is a call to active, attentive engagement with the teaching of Jesus.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching that those who diligently engage with spiritual truths will receive more understanding, while those who are indifferent will lose even what little they grasp.
Mark 4:25Similar to Luke, this verse emphasizes the consequence of attentive hearing: more insight will be granted to those who pay close attention, and those who don't will lose even the understanding they think they possess.
Matthew 25:29The parable of the talents illustrates this principle by showing that those who use and increase what they've been given are rewarded with more, whereas those who neglect their gifts have them taken away.
Luke 19:26In the parable of the pounds, Jesus echoes this idea, stating that the servant who faithfully used his money received more, while the one who did nothing had even his initial investment forfeited.
clarkeLuke 8:18: "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."
Even that which he seemeth to have - Or rather, even what he hath. Ὁ δοκει εχειν, rendered by our common version, what he seemeth to have, seems to me to contradict itself. Let us examine this subject a little. 1. To seem to have a thing, is only to have it in appearance, and not in reality; but what is possessed in appeara…
pulpitLuke 8:18: "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."
Verse 18. - Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. A grave warning to his disciples primarily, and then to all who take upon themselves any work, even the humblest, connected with teaching Divine truth. Th…
The phrase "even that which he seemeth to have" is a bit of a subtle trap; it doesn't mean he only appears to have something, but rather that what he thinks he possesses—even something as valuable as God's word—will be taken away if he doesn't actively engage with it. This highlights that true possession comes from using and applying what God gives us, not just passively holding onto it.
Jesus has just explained the parable of the sower, showing how people respond differently to God's message. Now, he issues a direct warning, emphasizing that how you listen to his words matters immensely, because those who truly grasp and act on what they hear will receive even more understanding, while those who don't will lose even the little they thought they possessed.
Jesus has just explained the parable of the sower, showing how people respond differently to God's message. Now, he issues a direct warning, emphasizing that how you listen to his words matters immensely, because those who truly grasp and act on what they hear will receive even more understanding, while those who don't will lose even the little they thought they possessed.
"Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”" — The phrase "even that which he seemeth to have" is a bit of a subtle trap; it doesn't mean he only appears to have something, but rather that what he thinks he possesses—even something as valuabl…
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Last reviewed October 2026