Matthew 13:17
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about what the disciples are seeing and hearing, but the incredible privilege of when. The prophets of old, filled with divine insight, longed for even a glimpse of the Messiah's kingdom, seeing it only from afar through promises and prophecies. You, however, are not just hearing about God's kingdom; you are hearing directly from its King and witnessing its unfolding in real-time.
Jesus has just explained why he speaks in parables, telling his disciples that it's given to them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, while others don't. He then contrasts their unique understanding with the longing of Old Testament prophets and righteous people who looked forward to this time but didn't see it fully realized. This verse emphasizes the incredible privilege the disciples have in witnessing Jesus' ministry firsthand, a privilege even the greatest figures of Israel yearned for.
Imagine ancient prophets straining their eyes towards the horizon, catching glimpses of a future they could only dream of. What was it they so desperately yearned to see and hear?
The verse highlights a profound spiritual yearning throughout Old Testament history. Prophets and righteous individuals, like Abraham and David, deeply desired to witness the full manifestation of God's kingdom and the coming of the Messiah.
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You live in the 'now' that prophets only dreamed of. What does this incredible proximity to God's revelation mean for your life?
Jesus declares that the disciples' ability to see and hear is a unique divine gift, a privilege earned not by their merit but by God's grace.
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Those who speak or act under divine inspiration to convey God's messages, often predicting future events or declaring God's will to the present generation.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
Individuals who are in right standing with God, often characterized by obedience to His law, moral integrity, and faith in His promises.
This verse highlights the incredible privilege and responsibility Jesus' disciples had in witnessing and hearing the unfolding of God's plan, something even the greatest figures of the past could only anticipate.
c. 2000 BC - c. 500 BC
Era of the Prophets and Patriarchs
Throughout these centuries, figures like Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah looked forward with longing to the coming of the Messiah and the full establishment of God's kingdom.
c. 6 BC - c. AD 30— this verse
Ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus
Jesus begins his public ministry, fulfilling prophecies and inaugurating the Kingdom of Heaven in a way previously only hinted at.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus teaches, performs miracles, and reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom of God through parables, directly to his disciples and the crowds.
This passage echoes Matthew 13:17 by describing how Old Testament prophets diligently searched and inquired about the salvation that was revealed through Christ, highlighting their longing to understand what believers now directly experience.
Luke 10:24This parallel account includes 'kings' alongside prophets and righteous people, emphasizing that even those in positions of power and spiritual insight in the past yearned for the clearer revelation of God's kingdom that Jesus' disciples were experiencing.
John 8:56Jesus directly tells the Pharisees that Abraham rejoiced to see His day, offering a specific example of a righteous person from the past who longed for and received a glimpse of the Messianic era that the disciples were now living in.
Hebrews 11:13This chapter speaks of many faithful ancestors who died without receiving the promised fulfillment, underscoring the profound desire and anticipation they had for the reality of God's kingdom that Jesus was then inaugurating.
barnesMatthew 13:17: "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
Many prophets and righteous men ... - They wished to see the times of the Messiah. They looked to it as a time when the hopes of the world would be fulfilled, and when the righteous would be happy, John 8:56. "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad." Compare als…
clarkeMatthew 13:17: "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
Many prophets and righteous men - These lived by and died in the faith of the promised Messiah: the fullness of the time was not then come for his manifestation in the flesh. See also on Matthew 13:11 (note).
This verse isn't just about what the disciples are seeing and hearing, but the incredible privilege of when. The prophets of old, filled with divine insight, longed for even a glimpse of the Messiah's kingdom, seeing it only from afar through promises and prophecies. You, however, are not just hearing about God's kingdom; you are hearing directly from its King and witnessing its unfolding in real-time.
Jesus has just explained why he speaks in parables, telling his disciples that it's given to them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, while others don't. He then contrasts their unique understanding with the longing of Old Testament prophets and righteous people who looked forward to this time but didn't see it fully realized. This verse emphasizes the incredible privilege the disciples have in witnessing Jesus' ministry firsthand, a privilege even the greatest figures of Israel yearned for.
Jesus has just explained why he speaks in parables, telling his disciples that it's given to them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom, while others don't. He then contrasts their unique understanding with the longing of Old Testament prophets and righteous people who looked forward to this time but didn't see it fully realized. This verse emphasizes the incredible privilege the disciples have in witnessing Jesus' ministry firsthand, a privilege even the greatest figures of Israel yearned for.
"For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." — This verse isn't just about what the disciples are seeing and hearing, but the incredible privilege of when. The prophets of old, filled with divine insight, longed for even a glimpse of the Mess…
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