Matthew 13:17

KJV

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} many {G4183} prophets {G4396} and {G2532} righteous {G1342} men have desired {G1937} to see {G1492} those things which {G3739} ye see {G991}, and {G2532} have {G1492} not {G3756} seen {G1492} them; and {G2532} to hear {G191} those things which {G3739} ye hear {G191}, and {G2532} have {G191} not {G3756} heard {G191} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes indeed! I tell you that many a prophet and many a tzaddik longed to see the things you are seeing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.

Berean Standard Bible

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

American Standard Version

For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:17 reveals the profound privilege bestowed upon Jesus' disciples: they are eyewitnesses to the inaugurated Kingdom of God, a reality that generations of revered prophets and righteous individuals from the Old Testament earnestly longed to see and hear but were not granted. This verse underscores the unique blessing of living in the era of Christ's first advent, where the promises of God's redemptive plan are being tangibly fulfilled through His person and ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration by Jesus is situated within the "Parable Discourse" of [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - The Parables of the Kingdom"), specifically following His explanation to the disciples about why He speaks in parables. In [Matthew 13:10-15](/matthew/13-10-15 "Matthew 13:10-15 - The Purpose of Parables"), Jesus contrasts the spiritual receptivity of His followers with the spiritual blindness of those who refuse to believe, citing Isaiah's prophecy of hardened hearts. Directly preceding our verse, [Matthew 13:16](/matthew/13-16 "Matthew 13:16 - Blessedness of the Disciples") pronounces a beatitude upon the disciples, declaring their eyes and ears blessed because they truly "see" and "hear." Verse 17 then elaborates on the unparalleled significance of this blessing, emphasizing the unique historical and spiritual position the disciples occupy in witnessing the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience, both disciples and the broader crowds, lived in a first-century Jewish context steeped in messianic expectation. For centuries, the Jewish people had anticipated the coming of the Messiah, who would establish God's kingdom and bring salvation. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel had spoken of this future age, often in veiled or symbolic language. The "righteous men" referred to were those who faithfully lived according to God's law and longed for the fulfillment of these promises. Culturally, "seeing" and "hearing" in Jewish thought often extended beyond mere physical perception to denote spiritual understanding, discernment, and even obedience, as seen in the prophetic calls to "hear the word of the Lord." The disciples, therefore, were not just physically present but were being granted spiritual insight into the true nature of the Messiah and His kingdom, a privilege denied to many of their contemporaries and to those who lived before them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that true understanding of God's work is not achieved by human effort alone but is a gracious gift from God. Secondly, it underscores the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, positioning Jesus' ministry as the long-awaited culmination of Old Testament expectations concerning the Messiah and His kingdom. The "things" the disciples see and hear are the very realities the prophets foretold. This echoes the sentiment found in [1 Peter 1:10-12](/1_peter/1-10-12 "1 Peter 1:10-12 - Prophets Inquired About Salvation"), where it's stated that prophets diligently inquired about the salvation that would come through Christ. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Privilege of the New Covenant**, signaling a new era in God's redemptive history where the promises are no longer distant but are being inaugurated through Christ. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Spiritual Blindness vs. Insight**, drawing a sharp contrast between those who, despite physical proximity, remain spiritually unresponsive (as discussed in [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Why Jesus Speaks in Parables")) and those who, like the disciples, are granted the capacity to truly perceive and comprehend God's truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** From Hebrew origin, this particle means "firm" or "trustworthy." When Jesus uses "Amen" (translated as "verily" or "truly"), it introduces a solemn, authoritative, and absolutely certain declaration. It underscores the profound importance and truthfulness of what He is about to say, demanding the listener's full attention and belief.
* **Prophets (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** Derived from a compound meaning "to speak before" or "to speak for," a prophet is a foreteller or an inspired speaker. In this context, it refers to the Old Testament figures through whom God revealed His will and future plans, particularly concerning the Messiah and His kingdom. These were individuals chosen by God to communicate divine truth, often looking forward to a future reality they themselves would not fully experience.
* **Desired (Greek, _epithyméō'_):** This verb means "to set the heart upon," "to long for," or "to covet." It conveys an intense, earnest yearning or craving. The use of this word highlights the deep spiritual longing of the Old Testament figures for the coming of the Messiah and the full manifestation of God's redemptive plan, indicating that their anticipation was not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual and passionate.
* **See (Greek, _eídō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to see" literally or figuratively, and by implication, "to know" or "understand." In this context, "seeing" refers not just to physical perception but to spiritual comprehension and discernment of the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the reality of the Kingdom of God being inaugurated through Him. It implies a direct, experiential knowledge of these truths.
* **Hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, to come to the ears, or to understand. Similar to "see," "hearing" here transcends mere auditory reception to encompass spiritual understanding, receptivity, and obedience to the teachings of Jesus and the truths of the Kingdom. It signifies an internalizing of God's revealed word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For verily I say unto you":** This is Jesus' solemn, authoritative introduction, signaling the weight and certainty of the truth He is about to impart to His disciples. It emphasizes that what follows is a profound revelation directly from Him.
* **"That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]":** This clause highlights the intense longing of Old Testament figures—God's chosen spokesmen and faithful servants—to witness the very realities that the disciples were now experiencing. Despite their faith and prophetic foresight, they lived in an era of promise and anticipation, not in the full, incarnate presence of the Messiah and the inaugurated Kingdom. They saw glimpses and shadows, but not the substance.
* **"and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].":** This parallel clause extends the privilege to the realm of spiritual understanding and divine teaching. The prophets and righteous of old longed to hear the direct words of the Messiah, to comprehend fully the mysteries of God's redemptive plan as revealed through Him. The disciples, by contrast, were hearing the very words of God incarnate, receiving direct instruction and insight into the nature and demands of the Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 13:17 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast** or **Antithesis**, seen in the stark comparison between the "many prophets and righteous men" who "desired to see... and have not seen" and "to hear... and have not heard," versus the disciples who "see" and "hear." This opposition dramatically highlights the unique and unprecedented spiritual privilege of the disciples' generation. The phrase "many prophets and righteous men" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, not necessarily implying every single individual, but rather a vast and significant number of the most spiritually attuned individuals throughout Israel's history, thereby magnifying the disciples' blessing. There is also an element of **Irony** in the broader context of [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - The Parables of the Kingdom"): those who were physically present with Jesus, yet spiritually hardened, could not perceive the truth, while the disciples, though ordinary men, were granted extraordinary spiritual insight. Finally, the verse subtly utilizes **Fulfillment**, as the "things" the disciples see and hear are the very prophetic promises that are now being realized in Christ, shifting from the shadowy anticipation of the Old Testament to the tangible reality of the New.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:17 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of progressive revelation and the unique position of the New Covenant era. It underscores that God's redemptive plan unfolds in stages, with each stage building upon the last, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The longing of the Old Testament prophets and righteous individuals for the Messiah's advent signifies that their faith was forward-looking, anticipating a greater revelation and a more complete fulfillment of God's promises. The disciples' experience marks a pivotal moment in salvation history, where the long-awaited promises are no longer distant hopes but present realities. This verse teaches us that the Incarnation of Christ and the inauguration of His Kingdom represent the pinnacle of God's self-disclosure to humanity, a privilege unparalleled in human history.

* [1 Peter 1:10-12](/1_peter/1-10-12 "1 Peter 1:10-12 - Prophets Inquired About Salvation")
* [Luke 10:23-24](/luke/10-23-24 "Luke 10:23-24 - Blessed are the Eyes that See")
* [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13 - Faith of the Patriarchs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 13:17 invites us to a profound reflection on the immense spiritual blessings we, as followers of Christ today, have inherited. If the greatest spiritual figures of the Old Testament earnestly desired to see and hear what the disciples experienced, how much more should we, who live after Christ's completed work of redemption—His death, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—cherish the full revelation of God's love and plan? This verse calls us to a deep sense of gratitude for the clarity of the Gospel message and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to understand spiritual truths that were once veiled. It challenges us to not take for granted the accessibility of God's Word and the direct relationship we can have with Him through Christ. With such an extraordinary privilege comes a commensurate responsibility: to live lives that reflect the truth we have seen and heard, to grow in our understanding, and to faithfully share the good news of the Kingdom with a world still longing for true sight and hearing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse deepen your appreciation for the Gospel and the era in which you live?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "see" and "hear" the truths of God's Kingdom today, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **Considering the immense privilege described in this verse, what is your responsibility in living out and sharing the truth of Christ with others?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "prophets and righteous men" Jesus refers to?**

Answer: The "prophets and righteous men" Jesus speaks of are the faithful individuals from the Old Testament era. This includes revered figures like Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, as well as countless other unnamed righteous people who lived by faith, received God's promises, and often prophesied about the coming Messiah and His kingdom. While they had a deep understanding of God's character and His unfolding plan, they lived in an age of anticipation, looking forward to the fulfillment that Jesus' advent would bring. They saw glimpses and shadows of the future (as described in [Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")), but not the full, tangible reality that the disciples were witnessing.

**What does it mean that they "desired to see" but "have not seen"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the earnest, intense longing of these Old Testament figures for the consummation of God's redemptive plan, particularly the advent of the Messiah and the full manifestation of His kingdom. They had faith in God's promises and prophesied about the future glory, but they did not live to see the Incarnation of God's Son, His miracles, His teachings, His atoning death, or His resurrection. They saw the promises from afar, but did not experience their tangible fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ (as highlighted in [Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Hebrews 11:13 - Faith of the Patriarchs")). The disciples, by contrast, were living in the very time of this long-awaited fulfillment.

**How is the disciples' experience different from the prophets'?**

Answer: The fundamental difference lies in the shift from promise and prophecy to fulfillment and presence. The prophets and righteous men of the Old Testament anticipated the Messiah's coming, receiving divine revelation primarily through visions, dreams, and inspired words. They spoke of a future reality. The disciples, however, were eyewitnesses to the physical presence of Jesus Christ, the very Messiah whom the prophets foretold. They saw His miracles, heard His direct teachings, witnessed His life, death, and resurrection, and experienced the inauguration of His Kingdom firsthand. They were living in the era of realization, while the prophets lived in the era of anticipation. This distinction underscores the unique and unparalleled privilege of those who encounter Christ directly.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:17 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. The "things which ye see" and "hear" are not merely abstract concepts or future events; they are embodied in Christ. He is the long-awaited Messiah, the very fulfillment of all the prophecies and longings of the Old Testament. The prophets desired to see the day when God would fully reveal Himself and establish His kingdom, and in Jesus, that day had dawned. He is the Word made flesh, the tangible manifestation of God's presence among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His teachings, miracles, and very being are the "things" that the prophets could only foresee in part. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant, bringing into reality the promises of a deeper relationship with God and a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly boundaries. The Old Testament was a shadow, but Christ is the substance ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ")). Therefore, for the disciples, and for us who now look back on Christ's finished work, the privilege is to live in the light of God's final and complete revelation in His Son ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")), seeing and hearing what generations before us could only dream of.

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

John 8:56

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.

Hebrews 11:13

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Luke 10:24

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

1 Peter 1:10

¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

1 Peter 1:12

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: