Matthew 13:9

13:9 The one who has ears had better listen!” ¹ 

Matthew 13:15-16

13:15 For the heart of this people has become dull;

they are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes,

so that they would not see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.’ ² 

13:16 “But your eyes are blessed ³  because they see, and your ears because they hear.

[13:9]  ¹ tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8, 14:35).

[13:15]  ² sn A quotation from Isa 6:9-10. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.

[13:16]  ³ sn This beatitude highlights the great honor bestowed on the disciples to share in this salvation.