What is the meaning of Matthew 13:9? He Jesus, the divine Teacher, has just finished telling the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-8). By beginning His closing remark with “He,” He turns the spotlight onto Himself as the One speaking with absolute authority. • Throughout the Gospels, Jesus prefaces weighty truths with phrases like “Truly, truly, I tell you” (John 5:24), reminding listeners that His words come straight from God. • Matthew later records the Father’s command, “This is My beloved Son… Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5). The same authoritative voice is at work here. • Because Scripture is God-breathed and completely trustworthy (2 Timothy 3:16-17), every statement of Christ demands our attention and obedience. who has ears The phrase narrows the audience from the general crowd to individuals who are physically able—but spiritually willing—to listen. • Virtually everyone has physical ears, yet the Bible warns of people who “will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). • Jesus echoes Isaiah’s indictment of dull hearts and closed ears (Isaiah 6:9-10; quoted in Matthew 13:14-15). • In Revelation’s letters to the churches, the risen Christ repeats, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says” (Revelation 2:7), showing that merely possessing ears isn’t enough; openness is required. • True disciples, like the Bereans, “received the word with eagerness” (Acts 17:11), demonstrating the kind of responsive hearing Jesus seeks. let him hear Here is the invitation—and command—to internalize and obey what has been spoken. • “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17); hearing sparks faith that takes root. • James urges, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22), clarifying that biblical hearing involves action. • In Proverbs wisdom cries, “Blessed is the man who listens to me” (Proverbs 8:34); blessing follows obedience. • The Sower’s parable itself illustrates four soil conditions. Only the good soil—those who “hear the word and understand it” (Matthew 13:23)—produces a harvest. Jesus’ command pushes each listener to become that fruitful soil. summary Matthew 13:9 is Jesus’ concise call for every individual to receive His word with receptive hearts and responsive obedience. The authoritative “He” speaks; those with “ears” must consciously choose to “hear,” letting the seed of truth bear abundant fruit in their lives. |
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