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Matthew 15:10

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¶ And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

And {G2532} he called {G4341} the multitude {G3793}, and said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Hear {G191}, and {G2532} understand {G4920}:

Then he called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand this!

Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.

And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

Commentary

In Matthew 15:10, Jesus turns His attention from confronting the religious leaders to addressing the wider crowd, issuing a profound call to spiritual engagement. This verse serves as a pivotal transition, preparing the audience for a radical truth about the source of true defilement.

Context

This verse immediately follows a heated exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees and scribes, who criticized His disciples for not observing their traditional hand-washing rituals before eating (Matthew 15:1-2). Jesus rebuked them, exposing their hypocrisy for prioritizing man-made traditions over God’s commandments, such as honoring parents (Matthew 15:3-6). He accused them of worshipping God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him, quoting Isaiah 29:13. Having silenced His critics, Jesus now invites the general public to listen carefully to a deeper spiritual truth that challenges the very foundation of their religious understanding.

Key Themes

  • A Call to Active Understanding: Jesus doesn't merely ask them to listen, but to actively "hear, and understand." This emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment beyond superficial hearing. It's a plea for them to process and internalize the profound message He is about to deliver, which will overturn conventional wisdom about purity and defilement.
  • Shifting Focus from External to Internal: By calling the multitude, Jesus signals a shift from the legalistic arguments of the Pharisees to a universal principle applicable to everyone. He prepares them to grasp that true defilement comes not from what goes into the mouth (external rituals or foods), but from what comes out of the heart (Matthew 15:18-19).
  • Challenging Tradition: The command to "understand" implies that the truth Jesus is about to reveal will contradict deeply ingrained religious traditions and cultural norms that focused heavily on external cleanliness.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "hear" is akouete (ἀκούετε), which means more than just perceiving sound; it implies paying attention, obeying, or taking heed.
  • The word for "understand" is syniete (συνίετε), meaning to put together, comprehend, or grasp the meaning, especially in a spiritual sense. It's a call for intellectual and spiritual comprehension, not just passive reception. This echoes similar calls for wisdom in scripture, such as in Proverbs 4:7, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that true spiritual growth requires more than just hearing God's Word; it demands active listening and sincere effort to understand and apply its truths. In an age often focused on external appearances or ritualistic adherence, Jesus' call to "hear, and understand" directs us to the condition of our hearts. It encourages us to:

  • Seek Deep Understanding: Do not be content with superficial knowledge of biblical truths. Ask God for spiritual discernment to grasp the deeper meaning and implications of His Word.
  • Examine Your Heart: Recognize that true purity and defilement originate from within. Focus on cultivating a heart aligned with God's will rather than merely observing external rules.
  • Question Traditions: Be willing to critically evaluate traditions, whether religious or cultural, against the clear teaching of Scripture. As Jesus demonstrates, not all traditions align with God's perfect will.

Jesus' command in Matthew 15:10 sets the stage for a transformative teaching that continues to challenge believers today to look beyond the surface and seek genuine spiritual understanding.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 7:14 (8 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

    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.

  • Luke 20:45 (6 votes)

    Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

  • Luke 20:47 (6 votes)

    Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  • Colossians 1:9 (5 votes)

    ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

  • Luke 24:45 (5 votes)

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  • 1 Kings 22:28 (4 votes)

    And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.