Chapter

Matthew 13:16

ESV But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
NIV But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
NASB But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
CSB "Blessed are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear.
NLT But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.
KJV But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

What does Matthew 13:16 mean?

Christ has compared the Israelites of His generation to those of Isaiah's era. Both generations will be guilty of hearing and seeing the truth while refusing to listen to or accept the truth. Both generations refused to repent. In the case of Jesus' generation, the religious leaders and the people had heard the voice of the Son of God teaching them clear truth. They have seen the miracles of the Son of God with their own eyes. Still, they refused to accept that message—they deliberately and stubbornly chose to reject that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the bringer of the kingdom of heaven.

That's why Jesus is teaching in parables: to keep them from understanding what they have already refused to understand (Matthew 13:10–15).

Here, Christ turns His attention back to His disciples. This refers to the Twelve (Matthew 10:1–4) and probably other committed followers. Their eyes and ears are blessed, because they choose to really see and hear. They understand what Jesus is teaching because they believe that Jesus is the Messiah (John 7:17). They obediently follow truth where it is meant to lead, based on what they have seen and heard. They understand, and so God gives them understanding (Matthew 13:11–12).
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What is the Gospel?
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