Matthew 13:16 kjv
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:16 nkjv
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
Matthew 13:16 niv
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Matthew 13:16 esv
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:16 nlt
"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
Matthew 13 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 13:10-11 | The disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." | Divine revelation given to disciples |
| Mt 13:13 | “This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand." | Contrast with spiritual unresponsiveness |
| Mt 13:17 | “For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." | Privilege of the current generation's disciples |
| Mk 4:11-12 | He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you... so that ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving...’” | Parallel account of divine distinction |
| Lk 8:10 | He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables...” | Parallel account emphasizing divine choice |
| Isa 6:9-10 | “Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused..." | Prophecy fulfilled concerning spiritual hardening |
| Jer 5:21 | Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: | Prophetic warning against spiritual apathy |
| Ezek 12:2 | “Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear..." | Rebuke of Israel's lack of discernment |
| Deut 29:4 | "But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear." | God's sovereign hand in granting understanding |
| Psa 115:5-6 | They have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes, but cannot see; ears, but cannot hear; noses, but cannot smell... | Idols' impotence contrasted with spiritual sight |
| Mt 5:3-11 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who hunger for righteousness..." | Context of "blessedness" (μακάριος) |
| Prov 20:12 | Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. | God as the source of all perception |
| 1 Cor 2:10-14 | "...for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God... The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God..." | Spiritual truths require spiritual discernment |
| Eph 1:17-18 | I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation... that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... | Prayer for spiritual enlightenment |
| 2 Cor 4:3-6 | And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing... For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ. | Divine light revealing Christ to hearts |
| Jn 6:44-45 | “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them... Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me." | God's drawing enabling spiritual understanding |
| Jn 10:27 | "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." | Characteristic of Jesus' true followers |
| Jn 12:39-40 | "For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts...” | Reinforcement of Isaiah's prophecy on unbelief |
| Heb 5:11-14 | We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths... You have become dull of hearing... | Warning against spiritual dullness/immaturity |
| Rom 11:7-8 | What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking... "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day." | God's sovereignty in spiritual hardening |
| Psa 40:6 | "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require." | God opening ears for spiritual receptivity |
| Prov 1:20-23 | Wisdom calls aloud in the street... "But since you rejected my call when I invited you... I in turn will laugh at your disaster..." | Consequences of rejecting wisdom's call/hearing |
| Mk 8:18 | "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?" | Jesus' challenge to His own disciples' spiritual blindness |
| Acts 28:26-27 | saying, “’Go to this people and say: You will be ever hearing but never understanding... For this people’s heart has become calloused...” | Paul quotes Isa 6 regarding Jewish rejection of the Gospel |
Matthew 13 verses
Matthew 13 16 Meaning
Matthew 13:16 declares a profound blessedness upon Jesus' disciples who are granted the divine capacity to spiritually perceive and understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Unlike those who physically witness Jesus' words and deeds yet remain spiritually blind and deaf, the disciples possess an inner enlightenment. This enables them to grasp the divine truth presented through parables, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and the dawning of God's reign. This spiritual insight is a distinct divine gift, distinguishing them as recipients of God's special favor and revelation, indicating a true responsiveness to His call.
Matthew 13 16 Context
Matthew chapter 13 introduces Jesus' extensive discourse on the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, marking a significant shift in His teaching method. This transition serves to reveal the "mysteries" of the kingdom to His disciples while simultaneously concealing their deeper meaning from those who are unreceptive. Immediately preceding verse 16, Jesus explains to His disciples why He speaks in parables (verses 10-15), quoting the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10 to highlight the spiritual blindness and deafness of the crowd. Verse 16 stands in stark contrast, pronounces a blessedness specifically upon His disciples. This implies a divine distinguishing between those given spiritual understanding and those left without it, due to their heart's posture. Historically, this highlights the contrast between the unresponsiveness of many in Israel to Jesus' Messiahship and the chosen few who responded with faith and spiritual discernment.
Matthew 13 16 Word analysis
- But (Δὲ - De): This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast, shifting from the description of spiritual hardening (v.13-15) to a declaration of spiritual blessing. It signals that Jesus' statement applies specifically to a group set apart from those whose spiritual senses are unresponsive.
- blessed (μακάριοι - makarioi): This word conveys more than mere happiness; it signifies a state of being supremely favored by God, divinely fortunate, and having true, internal well-being. It is the same word used in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), indicating an inherent, God-given state of prosperity and grace, not contingent on earthly circumstances or human merit.
- are your eyes: Refers not simply to physical vision but fundamentally to spiritual perception and discernment. It implies the supernatural ability to apprehend divine truth and reality, seeing what remains hidden to those without this spiritual enlightenment. It signifies a clear recognition and understanding of who Jesus is and the true nature of His Kingdom.
- for they see: This phrase indicates that the "blessedness" of the disciples' eyes is due to their spiritual function – their capacity to truly comprehend. It contrasts with the spiritual incomprehension of the crowd (v.13: "though seeing, they do not see"). This "seeing" denotes more than observation; it implies profound understanding, recognition of divine revelation, and acceptance of its truth.
- and your ears: Similar to "eyes," this points to spiritual hearing and receptivity. It's the capacity to truly listen, internalize, and obey God's word, particularly the challenging truths of Jesus' teachings concerning the Kingdom. It transcends mere auditory reception.
- for they hear: This emphasizes that the "blessedness" of the disciples' ears is their ability to truly grasp and process spiritual truths. It contrasts with the lack of understanding from those who only hear physically (v.13: "though hearing, they do not hear or understand"). This "hearing" is active and transformative, leading to spiritual insight and fruitful response.
Words-group analysis
- "blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear": This comprehensive declaration is a divine affirmation of special privilege and spiritual insight granted to Jesus' disciples. It presents them as an inverse image of the spiritually dull nation described in Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 6:9-10), on whom spiritual blindness and deafness had fallen as judgment. For the disciples, their ability to "see" and "hear" is not natural but a supernatural gift of grace, enabling them to understand the divine mysteries revealed through Christ that many righteous people of previous ages longed to perceive. This statement sets them apart as those truly enlightened to the dawn of the Kingdom age.
Matthew 13 16 Bonus section
- The profound blessedness described in this verse emphasizes the direct, personal revelation granted by Jesus. It highlights the unique advantage of living during the time of Messiah's presence and direct teaching.
- The concept of "seeing" and "hearing" here signifies not only intellectual comprehension but a spiritual apprehension that impacts one's heart and life, leading to a transformative understanding and relationship with God.
- This verse underpins the doctrine of divine election or sovereign grace, where God supernaturally opens the spiritual senses of certain individuals to respond to His truth, while others remain veiled.
Matthew 13 16 Commentary
Matthew 13:16 serves as a powerful declaration of spiritual grace and discernment. It marks the unique blessedness bestowed upon Jesus' disciples who, unlike the hardened multitudes, possess the God-given capacity to understand the profound truths of the Kingdom. This spiritual vision and hearing are not human achievements but divine gifts, enabling them to perceive the true significance of Jesus' parables and recognize Him as Messiah. It is through this opened perception that they enter into the deeper realities of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling God's purpose for a receptive remnant. This verse encourages a profound gratitude for spiritual revelation and calls believers to consistently ask for enlightened "eyes" and receptive "ears" to fully grasp God's will and truth.