What does "He who has ears, let him hear" mean in Matthew 13:9? Biblical Text “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9) Immediate Literary Context Matthew 13 records Jesus teaching by the Sea of Galilee, sitting in a boat while the crowd stands on the shore (13:1-2). The statement in verse 9 concludes the Parable of the Sower (13:3-8). Jesus has just described four soils representing four heart-responses to the word of the Kingdom. By ending with a proverbial summons, He presses His audience to decide whether they will receive that word like good soil or let it be snatched, scorched, or choked. Old Testament Foregrounding Prophets repeatedly lamented dull ears (Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2). In Isaiah’s call, God speaks of people who “hear but do not understand,” a text Jesus himself cites when explaining why He speaks in parables (Matthew 13:14-15). The phrase therefore carries prophetic weight: it divides genuine covenant-keepers from the hardened. Rabbinic and Second-Temple Parallels First-century rabbis used similar calls—“He who would learn, let him hear”—to emphasize the gravity of a teaching. The Dead Sea Scrolls’ Community Rule (1QS 10.17) urges members to “listen with the ear of obedience.” Jesus’ wording fits the pedagogical style of His day while asserting unique messianic authority. New Testament Repetition 1. Synoptic parallels: Mark 4:9 and Luke 8:8 end the same parable with identical wording. 2. Broader ministry: Jesus repeats the formula in Mark 7:16; Luke 14:35. 3. Revelation: The ascended Christ addresses seven churches, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says” (Revelation 2–3). The consistent refrain links Jesus’ earthly teaching to His heavenly lordship and the ongoing ministry of the Spirit. Theological Significance 1. Divine Initiative: Ears are created faculties; the command assumes God’s prior gift of capacity (cf. Proverbs 20:12). 2. Human Responsibility: Though God grants ears, individuals must choose receptivity; refusal incurs judgment (Matthew 13:12). 3. Pneumatology: True hearing is Spirit-enabled (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Jesus’ plea anticipates Pentecost, when the Spirit empowers disciples to grasp kingdom mysteries (Acts 2). 4. Christology: The One who issues the call is the incarnate Word (John 1:14). Rejecting His voice is rejecting God Himself (Hebrews 1:1-2). Miraculous Validation Jesus not only commanded listening; He healed deafness (Mark 7:31-37), seamlessly linking physical and spiritual restoration. Contemporary medically-verified healings—e.g., instantaneous auditory nerve restoration documented by ENT surgeon Dr. Rex Gardner—continue to illustrate Christ’s authority to grant “ears to hear.” Practical Exhortation for Believers 1. Cultivate softened hearts through prayer and Scripture meditation (Psalm 119:18). 2. Remove thorns of worldly anxiety and deceit of riches (Matthew 13:22). 3. Persevere in community where mutual exhortation sharpens hearing (Hebrews 3:13). Implications for Evangelism Following Christ’s model, present the gospel plainly, then trust the Spirit to open ears. Ask probing questions (as Ray Comfort does) that expose soil condition, then invite hearers to respond. Summary “He who has ears, let him hear” is a Hebraic-prophetic summons demanding obedient reception of Jesus’ revelation. It affirms God’s creative gift of ears, warns against willful deafness, and invites faith that bears fruit. In Matthew 13:9 the phrase bridges parable and personal decision, drawing every listener—ancient and modern—into crisis: Will you hear and obey the risen Lord? |
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