Mark 4:9

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

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

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

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

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

Mark 4:9 is a concise yet profound statement by Jesus, acting as a direct challenge to His listeners to move beyond mere physical hearing to a deeper, spiritual understanding of His teachings, particularly after delivering the Parable of the Sower.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' telling of the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-8), a foundational parable illustrating different responses to the "word" (God's message). Jesus frequently used parables to reveal spiritual truths to those who were receptive, while concealing them from those whose hearts were hardened. This concluding remark serves as an urgent call to attention, signaling that what He has just said, and indeed all His teachings, requires more than superficial hearing or casual listening.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Receptivity: The phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" highlights that true hearing involves not just the physical ear, but a spiritual openness and willingness to receive and apply divine truth. It implies that not everyone who hears will understand or accept the profound implications of Jesus' words.
  • Call to Discernment: Jesus encourages His audience to actively engage with His words, to ponder their deeper meaning, and to discern the spiritual principles embedded within them. It's an invitation to critical and prayerful reflection on God's message.
  • Personal Responsibility: The statement places 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.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ears to hear" (Greek: ota akouein) is a common Hebraism, reflecting an idiom found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Jeremiah 5:21). It signifies not just the faculty of hearing, but the capacity and willingness to comprehend and obey. It differentiates between passive listening and active, spiritual comprehension that leads to a transformative response and obedience.

Related Scriptures

This urgent call for spiritual understanding is a recurring motif in Jesus' ministry and throughout the New Testament:

  • He uses similar phrasing in other contexts, emphasizing the importance of recognizing spiritual truth, such as after speaking about John the Baptist (Matthew 11:15) or explaining the Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:43).
  • Luke's account of the Parable of the Sower also concludes with this identical admonition (Luke 8:8).
  • The Book of Revelation also repeatedly uses this phrase, urging believers to heed the messages from the Spirit to the churches (e.g., Revelation 2:7, Revelation 3:22), underscoring its importance for spiritual growth and perseverance.
  • The subsequent explanation of the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:13-20 further elaborates on why some hear and bear fruit, while others do not, linking hearing to the condition of the heart.

Practical Application

Mark 4:9 serves as a timeless reminder for every believer to cultivate a receptive heart:

  • Active Listening: When engaging with Scripture, sermons, or spiritual counsel, we are called to listen not just with our physical ears, but with our hearts and minds, seeking to understand God's message for our lives. This involves meditation and prayer.
  • Humility and Openness: A truly receptive heart is humble and open to correction, challenge, and transformation by God's word, even when it's difficult to hear or contradicts our preconceived notions.
  • Bearing Fruit: Just as the good soil in the Parable of the Sower yields a harvest, spiritual hearing should lead to genuine spiritual fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). This verse challenges us to ask: Am I truly hearing God's voice, and is what I hear transforming my character and actions?
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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