TRV
Luke 14:35
Bible Versions
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
It is fit for neither soil nor manure — people throw it out. Those who have ears that can hear, let them hear!”
It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, and it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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Matthew 11:15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. -
Luke 8:8
And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. -
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. -
Luke 9:44
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. -
Matthew 13:9
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. -
John 15:6
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned. -
Revelation 2:29
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Luke 14:35 concludes Jesus' powerful teaching on the nature and cost of true discipleship, following His discourse on the importance of radical commitment. This verse serves as a stark warning and a call to spiritual discernment, emphasizing the consequences of a faith that has lost its essential quality.
Context
This verse is the concluding statement to Jesus' parable of the salt that has lost its savor, found in Luke 14:34. The broader context of Luke 14:25-33 deals with the demanding requirements of following Jesus, including the need to forsake all and count the cost of discipleship. Jesus was speaking to large crowds, challenging them to move beyond superficial interest to genuine, wholehearted commitment. In ancient times, salt was crucial for preserving food and enhancing flavor, and it was also used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). If impure forms of salt, common in the region, lost their saline properties due to contamination or leaching, they became utterly useless.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "savor" (from Luke 14:34, implied here) translates the Greek word mōrainō, which means to "become foolish" or "lose taste/potency." This highlights that spiritual uselessness can stem from a lack of wisdom or a diminished spiritual vitality. The concept of being "cast out" (Greek: ekballō) underscores the severe consequence of a disciple becoming ineffective. The recurring phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" is a classic Hebraism used by Jesus throughout the Gospels (Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, Revelation 2:7) to emphasize the need for spiritual readiness and a receptive heart to truly understand and obey divine truth.
Practical Application
This verse serves as a potent reminder for every believer to examine their own spiritual condition. Are we actively living out our faith, influencing our communities with the transforming power of the Gospel, and maintaining our distinctiveness as followers of Christ? Or have we become indistinguishable from the world, losing our "savor" and thus our effectiveness? Jesus' words challenge us to maintain our spiritual vitality through genuine commitment, obedience, and an active relationship with Him, lest we become useless for His kingdom. The call to "hear" is a call to serious introspection and a renewed dedication to the demanding yet rewarding path of discipleship.