What is the meaning of Matthew 13:15? For this people’s heart has grown callous A callous forms through repeated friction; likewise, a heart grows hard through repeated resistance to God. • Hebrews 3:13 warns that sin’s deceitfulness “hardens” the heart. • Ephesians 4:18-19 describes those “hardened” and “past feeling,” echoing Jesus’ diagnosis here. • Zechariah 7:11-12 shows an earlier generation that “made their hearts like flint” when God spoke. God’s Word is clear: hardness is never God’s fault; it develops when people keep saying “no” to Him. They hardly hear with their ears The issue is not volume but willingness. Spiritual ears can be present yet unused. • Isaiah 6:9-10 (the passage Jesus is quoting) speaks of hearing without perceiving. • Acts 7:57 pictures a crowd literally covering their ears to block Stephen’s testimony. • Romans 11:8 says, “God gave them a spirit of stupor: eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear.” Persistent refusal becomes judicial deafness. They have closed their eyes This is willful blindness, not a lack of information. • John 3:19-20 explains that people “loved darkness rather than light” because their deeds were evil. • 2 Corinthians 4:4 says the god of this age “has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” • 2 Peter 3:5 notes that scoffers are “deliberately” ignorant. The shutting of the eyes is a choice. Otherwise they might see with their eyes God’s desire is to open eyes, not keep them shut. • Psalm 119:18 prays, “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things from Your law.” • In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha asks God to open his servant’s eyes to the spiritual realm. • Acts 26:18 states Paul’s mission: “to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light.” Willingness to see invites divine illumination. Hear with their ears Genuine hearing brings life. • Romans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” • Mark 4:9: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” • Revelation 2:7 repeats the call to the churches to “hear what the Spirit says.” The Lord still speaks; the question is whether we listen. Understand with their hearts Biblical understanding is more than mental grasp; it is a heart response. • Proverbs 2:2 urges us to “incline your heart to understanding.” • Luke 24:45 shows Jesus opening the disciples’ minds to understand Scripture. • Ephesians 1:18 prays for “the eyes of your hearts to be enlightened.” When truth penetrates the heart, transformation begins. And turn Turning is repentance: a decisive change of direction. • Ezekiel 18:30-32 pleads, “Repent and turn from all your transgressions… and live.” • Acts 3:19 calls people to “repent… that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” • 1 Thessalonians 1:9 praises believers who “turned to God from idols.” Turning is the hinge between revelation and restoration. And I would heal them God’s promise is immediate and comprehensive healing for the repentant. • Psalm 103:3 celebrates the Lord “who heals all your diseases.” • 1 Peter 2:24 declares, “By His wounds you have been healed.” • Revelation 21:4 points to the ultimate healing where “death shall be no more.” The Great Physician stands ready; surrender activates His cure. summary Matthew 13:15 paints a sober picture: people reject God until their hearts become tough, their ears dull, and their eyes shut. Yet the verse also unveils God’s heart: if they would simply open up—seeing, hearing, understanding, turning—He would rush in with healing. The problem lies in human resistance; the remedy is humble repentance. God’s Word still carries the same promise today: soften your heart, listen with intent, act on what you hear, and the Healer will restore. |
    |