Matthew 13:9
He who has ears, let him hear.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Matthew 13:9
He who has ears, let him hear.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just asking people to listen; he's challenging them to hear with an open heart and mind, implying that true understanding is a gift available to those who truly seek it. This phrase is a profound invitation to engage with spiritual truth, recognizing that merely having ears doesn't guarantee spiritual perception.
Jesus has just told the parable of the sower to a large crowd gathered by the sea, using a story to illustrate how people respond differently to God's message. This particular phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear," serves as a call to attention, prompting listeners to truly grasp the meaning of what has been spoken, especially since Jesus later explains the parable privately to his disciples.
Jesus often ended his parables with a simple phrase. But what did it really mean to 'hear'?
When Jesus says, 'He who has ears, let him hear,' he's not just asking people to listen. This phrase, often used as a conclusion to his teaching (like in Matthew 11:15), was a call to truly understand and respond. It’s an invitation to engage with the message, not just passively receive it. Think of it like an urgent summons to pay attention, a recognition that some things require more than a casual ear – they demand the heart and mind.
Why did Jesus speak in parables, and why did some people understand while others didn't?
Jesus often spoke in parables because they were a way to reveal spiritual truths, but also to obscure them from those who were hardened or unreceptive. As the disciples asked in Matthew 13:10, 'Why do you speak to them in parables?' Jesus explained that 'to you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given' (Matthew 13:11). This wasn't about God withholding truth arbitrarily, but about a deeper principle: those who already have a willing heart to understand (the 'he who has ears') will be given more understanding. Conversely, those who resist or ignore the truth will find even what they might have grasped slipping away. It’s a dynamic of spiritual receptivity.
Understand the original words
ous · Greek Noun
A metaphorical call to spiritual perception. It signifies that true understanding of divine truth requires not just physical hearing, but a heart willing to respond and act upon the revelation of God.
This phrase appears earlier in Matthew's Gospel, functioning as a repeated call to attention and discernment for those truly seeking to understand spiritual truths.
Isaiah 6:9-10Jesus is directly quoting and applying this Old Testament passage, highlighting a recurring theme of spiritual blindness and deafness among those who refuse to grasp God's message.
Mark 4:9The parallel account in Mark's Gospel presents the same saying, emphasizing its importance as Jesus's deliberate invitation for his listeners to engage with his parables on a deeper level.
Luke 8:8Luke's version also includes this command, reinforcing its significance as a pivotal statement that challenges listeners to actively listen and respond to Jesus's teachings.
John 12:48This verse echoes the consequence of not hearing Jesus's words, showing that his spoken message will ultimately serve as a judge to those who have the capacity to hear but choose not to.
barnesMatthew 13:9: "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Who hath ears ... - This is a proverbial expression, implying that it was every man's duty to pay attention to what was spoken, Matthew 11:15 .
clarkeMatthew 13:9: "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Who hath ears to hear, etc. - Let every person who feels the necessity of being instructed in the things which concern his soul's welfare pay attention to what is spoken, and he shall become wise unto salvation.
Jesus isn't just asking people to listen; he's challenging them to hear with an open heart and mind, implying that true understanding is a gift available to those who truly seek it. This phrase is a profound invitation to engage with spiritual truth, recognizing that merely having ears doesn't guarantee spiritual perception.
Jesus has just told the parable of the sower to a large crowd gathered by the sea, using a story to illustrate how people respond differently to God's message. This particular phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear," serves as a call to attention, prompting listeners to truly grasp the meaning of what has been spoken, especially since Jesus later explains the parable privately to his disciples.
Jesus has just told the parable of the sower to a large crowd gathered by the sea, using a story to illustrate how people respond differently to God's message. This particular phrase, "He who has ears, let him hear," serves as a call to attention, prompting listeners to truly grasp the meaning of what has been spoken, especially since Jesus later explains the parable privately to his disciples.
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"He who has ears, let him hear.”" — Jesus isn't just asking people to listen; he's challenging them to hear with an open heart and mind, implying that true understanding is a gift available to those who truly seek it. This phrase is…