Matthew 13:9

KJV

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3588} hath {G2192} ears {G3775} to hear {G191}, let him hear {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who have ears, let them hear!"

Berean Standard Bible

He who has ears, let him hear.”

American Standard Version

He that hath ears, let him hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 13:9 concludes Jesus's Parable of the Sower with a profound and challenging imperative: "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." This concise declaration serves as a pivotal call to spiritual attentiveness and discernment, emphasizing that true understanding of divine truth extends far beyond mere auditory reception, demanding an active, receptive heart that is willing to grasp, embrace, and respond to God's revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus's telling of the [Parable of the Sower](/matthew/13-3-9 "Matthew 13:3-9 - The Parable of the Sower"), a foundational parable in Matthew's Gospel that illustrates different responses to the "word of the kingdom." The parable describes seed falling on various types of soil—wayside, stony ground, thorny ground, and good ground—each representing a different spiritual condition of the hearer. The phrase "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" acts as a concluding challenge, inviting listeners to self-assess their spiritual receptivity. It also serves as a transition point, setting the stage for the disciples' subsequent question about why Jesus speaks in parables, which Jesus answers by explaining the purpose of parables as revealing truth to those who are spiritually receptive while concealing it from those who are not ([Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - The Purpose of Parables")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus's use of parables was a common teaching method among Jewish rabbis, designed to convey complex truths through relatable, everyday scenarios, often drawn from agricultural life, which would have been familiar to His audience. The concept of "hearing" in a spiritual sense—not just physically perceiving sound but truly understanding and obeying—was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic tradition. Prophets frequently lamented Israel's spiritual deafness (e.g., [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hearing But Not Understanding"), [Jeremiah 5:21](/jeremiah/5-21 "Jeremiah 5:21 - Eyes That See Not, Ears That Hear Not")), highlighting a long-standing tension between divine revelation and human receptivity. Jesus's repeated use of this idiom underscores its critical importance in His ministry.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several key themes within [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/1 "The Gospel of Matthew") and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **spiritual discernment**, distinguishing between superficial hearing and profound spiritual understanding that leads to transformation. It highlights the **responsibility of the hearer** to cultivate a receptive heart, emphasizing that the effectiveness of God's Word is not solely dependent on the sower or the seed, but also on the condition of the "soil" of the heart. This directly relates to the theme of **revelation and response**, where divine truth is offered, but an active, willing response is required for it to bear fruit. The phrase implicitly touches upon the **mystery of the kingdom of heaven**, as Jesus's parabolic teaching both reveals and conceals, depending on the listener's spiritual capacity, a theme further elaborated in [Matthew 13:11-12](/matthew/13-11-12 "Matthew 13:11-12 - The Secrets of the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ears (Greek, _oûs'_):** This word refers to the physical organ of hearing. However, in this idiomatic expression, it signifies more than just physical capacity; it denotes the spiritual faculty or readiness to perceive and comprehend divine truth. It implies a deeper, internal receptivity beyond mere auditory function.
* **to hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb means "to hear" in various senses, encompassing not only the physical act of perceiving sound but also understanding, giving audience to, hearkening, and obeying. The repetition of this verb in the verse ("to hear, let him hear") intensifies the meaning, emphasizing the critical importance of not just hearing sounds, but truly grasping the message and responding to it.
* **hath (Greek, _échō'_):** This verb signifies to hold, possess, or have. In this context, it refers to the possession of the spiritual capacity or willingness to hear and understand. It implies that while physical ears are universal, the spiritual "ears" necessary for true comprehension are not universally active or receptive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who hath ears":** This clause refers to anyone physically capable of hearing, but more importantly, it points to those who possess the spiritual capacity or inclination to understand divine truth. It implies a distinction among listeners: some have "ears" that are spiritually open, while others, though physically able, are spiritually deaf.
* **"to hear":** The first instance of "hear" (akouein) describes the purpose or potential of having ears—to perceive and comprehend. It sets the stage for the deeper spiritual meaning, indicating that the mere presence of ears is not enough; they must be oriented towards understanding.
* **"let him hear":** The second instance of "hear" (akouetō) is an imperative, a direct command. It is a forceful call to action, urging active, discerning reception and obedient response to the message. It challenges the listener to move beyond passive hearing to active, transformative engagement with the truth.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 13:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Idiom**, specifically the phrase "who has ears to hear," which is a common biblical idiom used to call for spiritual attentiveness and discernment beyond mere physical hearing. This idiom underscores the idea that divine truth requires a particular kind of receptivity. **Repetition** is also key, with the verb "to hear" appearing twice (Greek: _akouein akouetō_). This repetition serves to intensify the call, emphasizing the critical importance of active, discerning listening rather than passive reception. The phrase functions as a **Rhetorical Challenge** or **Imperative**, though phrased as a conditional statement, it acts as a direct command to the audience, prompting self-reflection on their spiritual state and their willingness to receive and obey divine revelation. This direct address creates a sense of urgency and personal responsibility for the listener.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 13:9 stands as a timeless theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and human response. It underscores the biblical truth that while God consistently speaks and reveals Himself, the efficacy of His Word often depends on the spiritual condition and receptivity of the hearer. This verse highlights the profound distinction between physical hearing and spiritual understanding, a theme woven throughout Scripture. It implies that true hearing is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual act that involves the heart, mind, and will, leading to transformation and obedience. The phrase serves as a divine filter, separating those who are genuinely open to God's truth from those who are hardened or indifferent.

* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hearing But Not Understanding")
* [Revelation 2:7](/revelation/2-7 "Revelation 2:7 - To Him Who Has an Ear")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Matthew 13:9 serves as a crucial and ongoing challenge to assess the quality of our spiritual "soil." In a world saturated with information and distractions, the call to "hear" God's Word with spiritual discernment is more vital than ever. It compels us to move beyond passive consumption of sermons, podcasts, or Bible readings, to actively engage our hearts and minds with the Scriptures, seeking genuine understanding and transformation. This requires humility, prayer for spiritual insight, and a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to convict, correct, and guide us. Our spiritual growth and fruitfulness are directly tied to how we receive and respond to the divine seed of truth. We are called to cultivate a heart that is not like the wayside, stony ground, or thorny ground, but like the good soil, ready to receive, understand, and bear abundant fruit for God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Am I merely hearing God's Word, or am I truly listening with a desire for spiritual understanding and transformation?**
* **What kind of "soil" characterizes my heart when I encounter biblical truth (e.g., resistant, superficial, distracted, receptive)?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a more open, receptive, and obedient heart to the Holy Spirit's leading through God's Word?**
* **Are there any truths or commands from God's Word that I am consciously or unconsciously resisting or failing to act upon?**

### FAQ
**What does "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" mean in simple terms?**

Answer: In simple terms, this phrase is Jesus's way of saying, "If you are truly open and ready to understand what I'm saying, then pay very close attention and let it sink in." It's a call for spiritual discernment, implying that not everyone who hears His words will truly grasp their deeper meaning or allow them to transform their lives. It distinguishes between merely hearing sounds and truly comprehending and responding to divine truth.

**Why did Jesus use this phrase so often in His teaching?**

Answer: Jesus frequently used this phrase to emphasize the critical importance of spiritual receptivity, especially when teaching in parables. Parables often served a dual purpose: to reveal truth to those whose hearts were open and prepared, and to conceal it from those who were spiritually hardened or indifferent ([Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - The Purpose of Parables")). By using this phrase, Jesus challenged His listeners to examine their own spiritual condition and take personal responsibility for how they received His message. It was a call to move beyond superficial listening to genuine understanding and obedience, highlighting that the effectiveness of His teaching depended on the hearer's spiritual state.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 13:9, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the embodiment of God's Word and the source of true spiritual hearing. He is the divine "seed" (as explained in the [Parable of the Sower](/matthew/13-18-23 "Matthew 13:18-23 - Jesus Explains the Parable of the Sower")) sown into the world, and to truly "hear" Him is to receive the very revelation of God. The ability to possess "ears to hear" is fundamentally a spiritual gift, made possible through Christ's redemptive work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Before Christ, humanity was spiritually deaf, unable to fully comprehend divine truth ([Romans 3:11](/romans/3-11 "Romans 3:11 - None Understands")). However, through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus opened the way for spiritual understanding, granting new ears and hearts to those who believe ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures")). The call to "let him hear" is therefore a call to respond in faith to Jesus, the living Word, allowing His Spirit to illuminate our understanding and transform our lives, enabling us to bear the fruit of the kingdom for His glory ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit Teaches All Things"), [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - The Natural Man Does Not Understand Spiritual Things")).

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

Revelation 2:11

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Matthew 11:15

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Revelation 2:17

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 hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].

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.

Revelation 2:29

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

Revelation 3:6

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

Revelation 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.