Mark 4:9

KJV

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto them {G846}, He that hath {G2192} ears {G3775} to hear {G191}, let him hear {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And he concluded, "Whoever has ears to hear with, let him hear!"

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

American Standard Version

And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 4:9 serves as a pivotal concluding admonition from Jesus following the Parable of the Sower, urging His listeners to move beyond mere auditory reception to a profound, spiritual comprehension and application of divine truth. This concise yet weighty statement acts as a direct challenge, distinguishing between those who passively hear and those who actively engage with the spiritual implications of His teachings, highlighting the crucial role of internal receptivity in understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' telling of the [Parable of the Sower](/mark/4-3-8 "Mark 4:3-8 - The Parable of the Sower"), a foundational teaching that illustrates various responses to the "word" (God's message). In Mark's Gospel, parables often serve a dual purpose: to reveal spiritual truths to those with receptive hearts and to obscure them from those whose hearts are hardened or unwilling to understand. Mark 4:9 functions as a direct, urgent call to attention, signaling that the preceding parable, and indeed all of Jesus' teachings, demands more than superficial hearing. It sets the stage for the disciples' subsequent private inquiry about the meaning of the parable, indicating that a deeper understanding is not automatic but requires spiritual discernment and a prepared heart, as further elaborated in [Mark 4:10-12](/mark/4-10-12 "Mark 4:10-12 - The Purpose of Parables").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, oral tradition was paramount, and listening was a primary mode of learning and receiving instruction. The phrase "ears to hear" is a common Hebraism, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic tradition, signifying not just the physical faculty of hearing but the spiritual capacity and willingness to comprehend, obey, and respond to God's voice. Prophets frequently lamented Israel's "unhearing ears" (e.g., [Jeremiah 5:21](/jeremiah/5-21 "Jeremiah 5:21 - Eyes that see not, ears that hear not") or [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - The Prophet's Commission and Hardening of Hearts")), indicating a spiritual deafness. Jesus' use of this idiom taps into this rich heritage, emphasizing that His audience, like those of the prophets, faced a choice: to merely hear sounds or to truly perceive and internalize divine truth.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 4:9 powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to Jesus' ministry and the broader message of Mark. Firstly, it underscores **Spiritual Receptivity**, highlighting that true hearing involves not just the physical ear, but a spiritual openness and willingness to receive, understand, and apply divine truth. It implies that not everyone who hears will grasp or accept the profound implications of Jesus' words, echoing the varied soils in the parable. Secondly, it serves as a **Call to Discernment**, urging the audience to actively engage with Jesus' words, ponder their deeper meaning, and discern the spiritual principles embedded within them, rather than passively consuming them. This call for spiritual insight is foundational to understanding the mysteries of the [Kingdom of God](/mark/4-11 "Mark 4:11 - The Mystery of the Kingdom"). Finally, the statement emphasizes **Personal Responsibility**, placing the onus squarely on the individual listener. Understanding and responding to God's word is not automatic; it requires a conscious choice and an active heart that is willing to be transformed, ultimately leading to the bearing of fruit as described in [Mark 4:20](/mark/4-20 "Mark 4:20 - The Good Soil").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ears (Greek, _oûs'_):** This word refers to the physical organ of hearing, but in this context, especially when paired with "to hear," it carries a deeper, metaphorical meaning. It signifies the faculty of spiritual perception and understanding. Jesus is not questioning their physical ability to hear sounds, but their spiritual capacity to grasp the meaning and implications of His message. It implies an internal, receptive disposition required for true comprehension.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning to hear in various senses. While it denotes the physical act of perceiving sound, its usage here, particularly in the imperative "let him hear," extends beyond mere auditory reception. It encompasses the active process of listening, understanding, heeding, and obeying. It implies a conscious effort to attend to and internalize the message, leading to a transformative response. The repetition of the verb (to hear, let him hear) intensifies the imperative, stressing the profound importance of this spiritual hearing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introductory clause establishes the speaker (Jesus) and the audience (His disciples and the crowd gathered to hear Him). It sets the stage for a critical pronouncement, indicating that what follows is a direct and authoritative statement from Jesus Himself, demanding attention.
* **"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."**: This is a powerful, idiomatic injunction. "He that hath ears to hear" refers to anyone possessing the physical faculty of hearing, but more importantly, the spiritual capacity and willingness to understand. The imperative "let him hear" is a direct challenge and an urgent call to action. It implies that while the message is openly proclaimed, its true meaning is accessible only to those who are spiritually receptive and prepared to engage with it on a deeper level, distinguishing between passive listening and active, transformative comprehension.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Most prominently, it utilizes a **Hebraism** or **Idiom**: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." This phrase is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic tradition, where "ears" often symbolize spiritual receptivity and "hearing" implies obedience and understanding, not just auditory perception. This idiomatic expression serves as a **Metaphor**, where physical hearing stands in for spiritual comprehension and responsiveness. It also functions as a direct **Call to Action** or an **Exhortation**, urging the listeners to actively engage their spiritual faculties. The repetition of the verb "hear" (implied in "ears to hear" and explicit in "let him hear") creates an emphatic **Pleonasm**, intensifying the urgency and importance of the message, ensuring the audience recognizes the profound significance of what has been said and what is demanded of them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 4:9 underscores a profound theological truth: God's revelation, while universally offered, requires a particular disposition of the heart for true reception. It highlights the active role of the individual in responding to divine truth, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to a transformative encounter. This call to spiritual hearing is not just about understanding a parable; it is about discerning the very voice of God and aligning one's life with His will. The verse subtly introduces the concept of spiritual discernment as a prerequisite for entering into and participating in the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, a theme that resonates throughout the Gospels and the New Testament, emphasizing that the effectiveness of the divine word is contingent upon the condition of the human heart.

* [Matthew 11:15](/matthew/11-15 "Matthew 11:15 - Call to Hear after John the Baptist's Ministry")
* [Luke 8:8](/luke/8-8 "Luke 8:8 - The Parable of the Sower in Luke")
* [Revelation 2:7](/revelation/2-7 "Revelation 2:7 - Hear What the Spirit Says to the Churches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 4:9 is a timeless and direct challenge to every individual who encounters the word of God. It compels us to move beyond superficial engagement with Scripture or sermons and to cultivate a heart that is truly receptive to divine truth. This means actively listening, not just with our physical ears, but with our minds and spirits, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate and apply God's message to our lives. It calls for humility to acknowledge our spiritual deafness, a willingness to be corrected, and an openness to transformation, even when the truth is challenging or uncomfortable. True spiritual hearing should lead to genuine spiritual fruit, evident in our character, actions, and obedience, prompting us to ask: Am I merely hearing words, or am I truly listening to God's voice, allowing it to transform my life and bear fruit for His glory?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually deaf or resistant to God's voice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive heart when engaging with Scripture or spiritual teaching?**
* **How does my "hearing" of God's word manifest in my daily actions and character? Am I bearing fruit?**

### FAQ

**What does "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase, a common Hebraism, means much more than simply having the physical ability to hear. It is a profound call to spiritual discernment and active understanding. Jesus is urging His listeners to go beyond mere auditory reception of His words and to truly grasp their spiritual significance, to internalize them, and to respond obediently. It implies that while His message is open to all, only those with a receptive heart and a willingness to understand will truly comprehend and benefit from it. It's a challenge to engage deeply with the truth, rather than listening passively, distinguishing between those who merely hear sounds and those who truly perceive the divine message. This sentiment is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such as when Jesus speaks about the purpose of parables in [Mark 4:11-12](/mark/4-11-12 "Mark 4:11-12 - The Purpose of Parables").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 4:9, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. He is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one through whom God speaks most clearly and definitively to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")). To "hear" in the profound sense Jesus demands is to hear and respond to Him, for He is the embodiment of the truth He proclaims. The call to spiritual receptivity is ultimately a call to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and to receive His Kingdom. Those who truly "hear" are those who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are drawn to Christ, believe in Him, and follow His teachings, becoming the "good soil" that yields a harvest. His parables, like the Parable of the Sower, reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom, but only those who are given "ears to hear" by divine grace, and who respond in faith, truly understand and enter into the life He offers ([Matthew 13:11](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - The Secrets of the Kingdom")). Thus, the imperative to hear is fundamentally an invitation to encounter and embrace Christ, the living Word, who alone grants true understanding and eternal life ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing in Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:15

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:23

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:24

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Luke 8:18

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Revelation 3:13

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Mark 7:14

And when he had called all the people [unto him], he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one [of you], and understand:

Mark 7:15

There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.