Mark 7:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

If any man {G1536} have {G2192} ears {G3775} to hear {G191}, let him hear {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Anyone who has ears that can hear, let him hear!"

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 7:16, though bracketed in some translations, encapsulates a profound and frequently repeated imperative from Jesus, serving as a vital call to spiritual discernment. It urges listeners to move beyond mere auditory perception and to actively engage with, comprehend, and internalize the divine truths being revealed, particularly in the context of Jesus' radical teaching on inner purity versus external ritualism. This concise statement challenges the audience to truly understand and respond to the transformative implications of His message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' direct confrontation with the Pharisees and scribes regarding their adherence to human traditions over God's commandments. In [Mark 7:1-13](/mark/7-1-13 "Mark 7:1-13 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees"), Jesus exposes their hypocrisy concerning ceremonial washings and vows like Corban, which nullified the command to honor parents. He then calls the crowd to Him in [Mark 7:14](/mark/7-14 "Mark 7:14 - Jesus Calls the Crowd") and delivers a pivotal teaching in [Mark 7:15](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15 - What Truly Defiles"), declaring that defilement comes not from external things entering a person, but from the evil that originates within the heart. Mark 7:16, therefore, acts as a concluding, emphatic underscore to this revolutionary teaching, urging deep spiritual reception of a truth that overturns prevailing religious thought.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, placed immense importance on the Oral Law (traditions of the elders) alongside the written Torah. Purity laws, including ritual washings before meals, were meticulously observed as a means of maintaining ritual cleanness before God. This emphasis on external observance often overshadowed the internal disposition of the heart. Jesus' teaching in [Mark 7](/mark/7 "Mark 7 - True Purity") directly challenged this deeply ingrained cultural and religious framework, asserting a radical shift from external ritual to internal moral and spiritual purity. His words would have been highly controversial and counter-cultural, necessitating a special call for genuine understanding.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 7:16 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and Jesus' broader ministry. It highlights the theme of **Spiritual Discernment**, emphasizing that true understanding of divine truth requires more than physical hearing; it demands a receptive and discerning heart, capable of perceiving the deeper spiritual realities behind Jesus' words. This verse also underscores the theme of **Radical Redefinition of Purity**, where Jesus challenges the prevailing notion that defilement is external, asserting instead that it originates from the heart (as elaborated in [Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - The Source of Evil Thoughts")). Finally, it serves as a **Call to Response**, an imperative for the audience to not merely listen, but to actively respond to and internalize the profound implications of Jesus' teaching, particularly when it challenges their preconceived notions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ears (Greek, _oûs'_):** Derived from a primary word, this refers to the physical organ of hearing. However, in this idiomatic expression, it extends beyond mere physical function to denote the capacity for spiritual perception, understanding, and receptivity. It implies an openness to comprehending divine truth, not just auditory input.
* **have (Greek, _échō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hold," "to possess," or "to be able." In this context, it signifies possessing the faculty or capability for spiritual hearing. It's not just about having physical ears, but about having the spiritual equipment or disposition necessary to truly grasp and internalize a message.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including giving audience, coming to the ears, understanding, and being reported. Here, the repetition of "hear" (first as an infinitive "to hear," then as an imperative "let him hear") intensifies the meaning from simple auditory perception to active, obedient understanding and application. It moves from the potential to the actual, from passive reception to active response.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If any man have ears to hear":** This clause sets a condition, implying that not everyone who physically hears Jesus' words will truly grasp their spiritual significance. The phrase "ears to hear" is an idiom for spiritual capacity or receptivity—the ability to understand and internalize profound truth. It suggests that while the message is openly proclaimed, its deeper meaning is accessible only to those with a prepared heart and mind, those who are willing to perceive beyond the literal.
* **"let him hear."**: This is an imperative command, a direct call to action. It is not merely a statement of fact but an urgent exhortation. For those who possess the spiritual capacity (the "ears to hear"), Jesus commands them to actively listen, understand, and obey. This "hearing" implies a transformative encounter with the truth, leading to conviction and a change in behavior or perspective, especially in light of the radical teaching that precedes it.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 7:16 employs several potent literary devices. It functions as an **Idiom**, a common Semitic expression (found frequently in the Gospels) that signifies a call to profound attention and spiritual discernment. The phrase itself is a **Rhetorical Device**, specifically an emphatic concluding statement designed to highlight the gravity and importance of the preceding teaching. By stating "If any man have ears to hear," Jesus uses **Hypophora**, posing an implied question about spiritual receptivity, which He then answers with the imperative "let him hear." Furthermore, the use of "ears to hear" is a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual understanding and responsiveness, contrasting with mere physical hearing. The **Imperative Mood** ("let him hear") underscores the urgency and personal responsibility involved in receiving divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 7:16 is a foundational statement about the nature of spiritual reception, underscoring that God's truth, though freely proclaimed, requires a prepared and receptive heart to be truly understood and acted upon. It highlights the distinction between outward conformity and inward transformation, a central tenet of Jesus' ministry. True "hearing" involves not just intellectual assent but a willingness to allow God's Word to penetrate and reshape one's innermost being, challenging preconceived notions and cultural norms. This call to deep listening is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing humanity's responsibility to respond to divine revelation.

* [Matthew 13:9](/matthew/13-9 "Matthew 13:9 - Call to Hear after Parable of the Sower")
* [Luke 8:8](/luke/8-8 "Luke 8:8 - Parable of the Sower Concludes with Call to Hear")
* [Revelation 2:7](/revelation/2-7 "Revelation 2:7 - Hear What the Spirit Says")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 7:16 serves as an enduring challenge for every believer to cultivate a posture of humility and spiritual attentiveness when engaging with God's Word. In a world saturated with information and distractions, the call to "hear" deeply is more vital than ever. It compels us to move beyond superficial reading or passive listening, urging us to seek genuine understanding and to allow the truth to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. This means actively discerning the Spirit's voice, even when it challenges our comfort zones, traditions, or personal biases. True spiritual health is found not in outward religious performance, but in the inner condition of a heart responsive to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "ears" am I using when I approach God's Word—only physical ears, or also spiritual ears of discernment?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing external traditions or cultural norms over the internal transformation Jesus calls for?**
* **What specific truths from God's Word might I be "hearing" but not truly "listening" to or applying in my daily life?**
* **How can I cultivate a more receptive and obedient heart to truly "hear" what the Spirit is saying to me today?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus repeat this phrase, "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear," so often in the Gospels?**

Answer: Jesus repeats this phrase to underscore the profound importance and often challenging nature of His teachings. It serves as a rhetorical device to draw special attention to a truth that requires spiritual discernment beyond mere intellectual understanding. By repeating it, Jesus signals that what He has just said (or is about to say) is not easily grasped by everyone, and that a deeper, spiritual receptivity is required. It acts as a clear distinction between those who are merely present and those who are truly engaged and willing to internalize His message, often after a parable or a controversial statement, as seen in [Matthew 13:9](/matthew/13-9 "Matthew 13:9 - Call to Hear after Parable of the Sower") and [Luke 8:8](/luke/8-8 "Luke 8:8 - Another Instance of Jesus' Call to Hear").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 7:16, Jesus' call for spiritual hearing, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself, who is the very Word of God incarnate. To "have ears to hear" and "let him hear" is fundamentally a call to hear and respond to Jesus, the embodiment of divine truth and the ultimate revelation of God. He is the one through whom God speaks most clearly and definitively. When Jesus urges His listeners to hear, He is inviting them into a relationship with Himself, the Good Shepherd whose sheep "hear his voice" and follow Him ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")). True hearing, therefore, is not just about understanding a doctrine, but about recognizing and submitting to the authority and saving grace of Christ. It is a spiritual capacity gifted by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to perceive the profound truth of the Gospel and embrace the new covenant offered through His sacrifice, transforming hearts from stone to flesh ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Ultimately, to hear Jesus is to receive eternal life ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing Leads to Eternal Life")), for He is the way, the truth, and the life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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.