Mark 4 9

Mark 4:9 kjv

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mark 4:9 nkjv

And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Mark 4:9 niv

Then Jesus said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."

Mark 4:9 esv

And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 4:9 nlt

Then he said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 9 Meaning

Mark 4:9 is an urgent call by Jesus for His listeners to spiritually discern and understand the meaning of the Parable of the Sower and all His teachings. It emphasizes that true hearing goes beyond physical reception of sound to deep comprehension and an open heart willing to embrace spiritual truth. This declaration distinguishes between those who passively listen and those who actively engage with the message, highlighting the vital importance of spiritual receptivity for entering into the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Mark 4 9 Context

Mark 4:9 directly follows Jesus' recounting of the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:3-8) to a large crowd gathered by the Sea of Galilee. This parabolic teaching described various responses to the word, represented by different types of soil. Historically, parables served to reveal spiritual truths to those with open hearts while concealing them from those hardened by unbelief or unprepared to receive them. Jesus' closing statement in verse 9 acts as a significant bridge, concluding the initial parable and preceding His disciples' request for clarification and His subsequent explanation of the parable to them alone. It sets the stage for understanding that merely hearing words is insufficient; true spiritual understanding is essential.

Mark 4 9 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, yet in this context, it signals a direct and immediate concluding statement or summary following the Parable of the Sower. It introduces Jesus' crucial exhortation regarding the parable just spoken.
• He said (ἔλεγεν - elegen): Imperfect tense, suggesting Jesus "was saying" or "used to say," emphasizing that this call to hear was not an isolated incident but a consistent theme in His ministry. It shows the immediacy of His instruction after delivering the parable.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to the diverse, mixed crowd of people who had just heard the Parable of the Sower, distinguishing them from the disciples to whom He would later explain it. This indicates the general audience for whom the call to hearing was intended.
• He who has (Ὁ ἔχων - Ho echōn): Literally "the one having." The participle form emphasizes the existing possession of "ears." It highlights that some possess the innate physical faculty of hearing. It also hints at a spiritual predisposition or willingness to listen.
• ears (ὦτα - ōta): Refers to the physical organs of hearing. However, in this idiomatic phrase, it profoundly symbolizes the spiritual capacity or potential to comprehend and receive divine truth, going beyond mere auditory perception.
• to hear (ἀκούειν - akouein): Present active infinitive. This denotes the purpose or ability associated with the "ears." It suggests ears designed not just for sound waves, but for discerning and understanding meaning.
• let him hear (ἀκουέτω - akouetō): This is a powerful, third-person singular present active imperative. It's a command, an urgent exhortation. It calls for more than just physical hearing; it demands active listening, attentive reception, and spiritual application and obedience to the word spoken. It indicates a required spiritual response.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And He said to them": This phrase introduces Jesus' personal address and the significance He places on the following statement. It underscores that this is a direct, deliberate teaching for all who were present.
• "He who has ears to hear": This idiomatic expression serves as a discernment filter. It distinguishes between a physical capacity to hear sounds and a spiritual readiness or openness to comprehend the deeper, divine message being conveyed. It implies that while all may hear audibly, not all are equipped, or willing, to understand spiritually. It subtly hints at spiritual blindness or hardness of heart.
• "let him hear!": This emphatic imperative is a direct challenge to the listener. It's not a suggestion but a command for active engagement. It urges self-examination: "Do I possess the spiritual sensitivity to truly grasp what I have heard?" It implies that there are profound implications for those who do truly hear and those who do not, urging personal application of the truth. It underscores the urgency and seriousness of Christ's teaching about the Kingdom of God.

Mark 4 9 Bonus section

This idiom, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear," appears frequently in the Gospels and seven times in the Book of Revelation (addressing each of the seven churches), signifying its immense importance as a call to spiritual attentiveness to God's revelation. It often separates those truly receptive to the Kingdom's mysteries from those whose hearts remain closed. The phrase implicitly highlights a tension: while the truth is spoken publicly, its understanding is reserved for those who, by God's grace or an open heart, are prepared to receive it. It indicates that the spiritual journey requires intentional, active listening, discernment, and ultimately, a transformative response to God's Word.

Mark 4 9 Commentary

Mark 4:9 acts as a critical interpretive key to Jesus' parables. It is a powerful summation, a direct appeal by Christ to the spiritual discernment of His audience immediately after the Parable of the Sower. This verse underscores that merely hearing the words of Christ is insufficient; one must truly hear them – a profound spiritual understanding that involves reception, comprehension, and personal application. The call is selective: not all who physically hear are truly capable of perceiving the deeper spiritual truths embedded within His teachings. This serves as both an invitation to humble receptivity and a warning against spiritual apathy, emphasizing that genuine faith demands a transformed heart and a mind open to divine revelation.

Examples for practical usage:

• In personal Bible study, Mark 4:9 prompts the question: "Am I truly hearing what the Word says, or merely reading the words?"
• When hearing a sermon, it encourages prayer for spiritual ears to discern the Spirit's message beyond human eloquence.
• In daily life, it reminds believers to listen with spiritual understanding to the Holy Spirit's promptings and guiding principles from Scripture, not just acknowledge them.