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Matthew 13:13-18

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

13. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15. For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16. But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them]. 18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:13-18 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 13:13

Theological / Devotional

Therefore speak I. See on v. 3. Christ’s purpose was not to conceal truth from those whose spiritual perceptions were dull (see COL 105), but rather to penetrate their dullness of mind and heart, in the hope of creating a capacity to receive more truth (see Luke 8:16). Christ came to this world to “bear witness unto the truth,” not to obscure it (John 18:37). The reason why some failed to produce fruit is found, not in the Sower or the seed, but in the soil (see on Matt. 13:3).

They seeing see not. See on v. 15. Though these persons seem to see, and think that they see, they really do not see at all. Because they say, “We see,” whereas in reality they are blind, their “sin remaineth” (John 9:41). They are willfully blind (see on Hosea 4:6). Their perception, like that of the wayside hearers, is superficial (see on Matt. 13:4, 5). The natural sight is not accompanied by a corresponding spiritual insight.

Neither do they. The Pharisees perceived the meaning of Christ’s parables, but pretended not to understand (see COL 35). They denied the plainest words of Christ because they did not wish to receive them, and therefore their guilt was greater than that of the others. They deliberately blinded the eyes of their souls and locked themselves in darkness (see on ch. 12:31).

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