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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 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.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/13-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/40_Mat_13_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 13:13 - The Purpose of Jesus' Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/13-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/13-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/13-12.htm" title="Matthew 13:12">◄</a> Matthew 13:13 <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm" title="Matthew 13:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/13.htm">New International Version</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: &#8220Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. <a href="/nlt/matthew/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. <a href="/esv/matthew/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/bsb/matthew/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ <a href="/blb/matthew/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Because of this I speak to them in parables: 'Because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.' <a href="/kjv/matthew/13.htm">King James Bible</a> Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/13.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/nasb/matthew/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/lsb/matthew/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/amp/matthew/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> This is the reason I speak to the crowds in parables: because while [having the power of] seeing they do not see, and while [having the power of] hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand and grasp [spiritual things]. <a href="/csb/matthew/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> That is why I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. <a href="/asv/matthew/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <a href="/cev/matthew/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I use stories when I speak to them because when they look, they cannot see, and when they listen, they cannot hear or understand. <a href="/erv/matthew/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <a href="/gwt/matthew/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they're blind. They hear, but they don't listen. They don't even try to understand. <a href="/gnt/matthew/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but do not see, and they listen, but do not hear or understand. <a href="/isv/matthew/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> That's why I speak to them in parables, because 'they look but don't see, and they listen but don't hear or understand.' <a href="/msb/matthew/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ?Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.? <a href="/net/matthew/13.htm">NET Bible</a> For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand. <a href="/nheb/matthew/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing, they do not hear, neither do they understand. <a href="/wbt/matthew/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <a href="/wey/matthew/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand. <a href="/web/matthew/13.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Because of this, in allegories I speak to them, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor understand, <a href="/blb/matthew/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Because of this I speak to them in parables: 'Because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.' <a href="/ylt/matthew/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Because of this, in similes do I speak to them, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor understand, <a href="/slt/matthew/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For this I speak to them in parables: for seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For this reason, I speak to them in parables: because seeing, they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. <a href="/nabre/matthew/13.htm">New American Bible</a> This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.’ <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> This is the reason I speak to them in figures, because they see and yet cannot perceive; and they hear and yet do not listen, nor do they understand. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And from him who has it not, will be taken even that which he has, therefore I am speaking to them in parables because they who see do not see, and those who hear neither hear nor understand.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For this reason I speak to them in parables; because when they see, they see not; and when they hear, they hear not, nor do they understand. <a href="/godbey/matthew/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Therefore I speak to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Therefore I speak to them in parables: that seeing, they may not see; and hearing, they may not hear nor understand. <a href="/mace/matthew/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> therefore speak I to them in parables: because they over-look what they see: and are inattentive to what they hear, neither will they comprehend. <a href="/wey/matthew/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I speak to them in figurative language for this reason, that while looking they do not see, and while hearing they neither hear nor understand. <a href="/worrell/matthew/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>On this account, I speak to them in parables; because, seeing, they see not; and, hearing, they hear not, nor understand.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>for this <Fr>reason<FR> I speak to them in parables; because though they see, they will not see; and though they hear, they will not hear, nor understand.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/13-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3532" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/13.htm">The Purpose of Jesus' Parables</a> …12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13<a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. ">This</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">is why</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">I speak</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to them</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolais (N-DFP) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parables: </a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: Hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">‘Though</a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">seeing,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">they do not see;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">though</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">hearing,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">they do not hear</a> <a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">or</a> <a href="/greek/4920.htm" title="4920: syniousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.">understand.’</a> 14In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” <a href="/mark/4-12.htm">Mark 4:12</a> so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’” <a href="/luke/8-10.htm">Luke 8:10</a> He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ <a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a> “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” <a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a> ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ <a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a> as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” <a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a> Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. <a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a> “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a> “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. <a href="/psalms/115-5.htm">Psalm 115:5-6</a> They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; <a href="/psalms/135-16.htm">Psalm 135:16-17</a> They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-15</a> But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. <a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Hebrews 5:11</a> We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. <a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18-20</a> Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! / Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD? / Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.” <a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a> They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.<a href="/matthew/13-16.htm">Matthew 13:16</a> But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.<a href="/deuteronomy/29-3.htm">Deuteronomy 29:3,4</a> The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: … <a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18-20</a> Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/13-9.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Form</a> <a href="/matthew/13-9.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Language</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/matthew/12-31.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Similes</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/13-10.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Form</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Language</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Parables</a> <a href="/matthew/16-8.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Similes</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/13-34.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Understand</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 13</div>1. <a href="/matthew/13-1.htm">The parable of the sower and the seed;</a> 18. <a href="/matthew/13-18.htm">the explanation of it.</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/13-24.htm">The parable of the weeds;</a> 31. <a href="/matthew/13-31.htm">of the mustard seed;</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/13-33.htm">of the leaven;</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">explanation of the parable of the weeds.</a> 44. <a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">The parable of the hidden treasure;</a> 45. <a href="/matthew/13-45.htm">of the pearl;</a> 47. <a href="/matthew/13-47.htm">of the drag net cast into the sea.</a> 53. <a href="/matthew/13-53.htm">Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>This is why I speak to them in parables: Jesus often used parables as a teaching method to convey deep spiritual truths in a way that was accessible to those who were open to understanding. Parables are simple stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In the context of <a href="/matthew/13.htm">Matthew 13</a>, Jesus is addressing the crowds and His disciples, explaining why He chooses this method. Parables serve a dual purpose: they reveal truths to those who are spiritually receptive while concealing them from those who are not. This approach fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, highlighting the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people. Parables also reflect the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where stories and proverbs are used to impart wisdom.‘Though seeing, they do not see; This phrase highlights the spiritual blindness of the people. Despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings, many failed to recognize Him as the Messiah. This blindness is not due to a lack of evidence but a hardness of heart. The concept of seeing but not perceiving is echoed in <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, where the prophet Isaiah is told that the people will hear but not understand, see but not perceive. This spiritual condition is a result of their unwillingness to accept the truth, a theme that runs throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment.though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ Here, the emphasis is on the inability to comprehend the message of Jesus despite hearing it. This reflects a deeper spiritual deafness, where the words of Jesus do not penetrate the heart. In the cultural context of the time, hearing was not just about auditory reception but involved obedience and understanding. The failure to hear and understand is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah and is indicative of a broader spiritual condition that Jesus addresses throughout His ministry. This phrase also connects to <a href="/romans/10-17.htm">Romans 10:17</a>, where faith comes from hearing the message of Christ, underscoring the importance of not just hearing but truly understanding and accepting the Word.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching the crowds and His disciples using parables. His use of parables is a method to convey deeper spiritual truths. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> They are the primary audience of Jesus' explanation. They seek to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowds.htm">The Crowds</a> The larger group of people who follow Jesus, often hearing His teachings but not always understanding them. 4. <a href="/topical/p/parables.htm">Parables</a> A teaching method used by Jesus, consisting of simple accounts with profound spiritual meanings. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven.htm">The Kingdom of Heaven</a> The central theme of Jesus' teachings, representing God's reign and rule, both present and future.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_truths.htm">Understanding Spiritual Truths</a> Jesus uses parables to reveal truths to those who are spiritually open and to conceal them from those who are not. This challenges us to seek a deeper relationship with God to understand His Word. <a href="/topical/t/the_condition_of_the_heart.htm">The Condition of the Heart</a> Spiritual perception is linked to the condition of one's heart. A hardened heart leads to spiritual blindness and deafness. We must cultivate a receptive heart to truly hear and see God's truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> Understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom requires the illumination of the Holy Spirit. We should pray for the Spirit's guidance in our study of Scripture. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking.htm">The Importance of Seeking</a> Jesus' use of parables invites us to seek and dig deeper into His teachings. We are encouraged to be active seekers of truth, not passive listeners. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a> The use of parables serves as both a form of judgment on those who refuse to believe and an act of mercy to those who are willing to understand. This dual purpose should remind us of the seriousness of responding to God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 13</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'overcome_by_the_blood'_mean.htm">What were the teachings of Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_parable.htm">What defines a parable?</a> <a href="/q/why_use_wine_jars_if_god_knows_all.htm">(Jeremiah 13:12–14) Why would an all-knowing God need a metaphor of wine jars to illustrate judgment if He already understands human nature? </a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_withhold_clarity,_then_blame.htm">(Deut 29:4) Why would God withhold understanding and clarity from His people, then hold them responsible for disobedience? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Because they seeing see not.--As the words stand in St. Matthew, they might mean that our Lord adopted the method of parables as a condescension to their infirmities, feeding them, as babes in knowledge, with milk, and not with meat. In St. Mark and St. Luke the reason given assumes a penal character, "that seeing they might not see;" as though they were not only to be left in their ignorance, but to be plunged deeper in it. And this, it is obvious, is even here the true meaning, for only thus does this clause answer to the conclusion of the proverb of <a href="/matthew/13-12.htm" title="For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has.">Matthew 13:12</a>, "From him shall be taken away even that which he hath." In one aspect, then, the parable was a veil hiding the truth from them, because they did not seek the truth, and this was the working of the divine law of retribution. But even here we may venture to trace beneath the penalty an element of mercy. The parable could, at all events, do men no harm. It could not rouse the fierce enmity that had been kindled by truth spoken in its plainness. And it might prepare the way, might set men thinking and questioning, and if so, that was at least one step towards the "having," though it were but a very little, which might place them among those to whom more shall be given.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο). To carry out the principle of the whole preceding verse, but with special reference to the second half of it. Because, in this case, they "have not," therefore I speak to them thus. Speak I to them in parables because. In the parallel passages Christ says that he speaks in parables "in order that seeing," etc.; but here, "because seeing," etc. The difference of the thought, which is more formal than real, is that (1) in the parallel passages their moral blindness and deafness are represented as the effect of what he says, parables being used to bring about the punishment for what was presumably earlier sloth (thus laying stress on the idea of "shall be taken away "in our ver. 12; cf. "that they which see not may be made blind," <a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39</a>; and Bishop Westcott's note). (2) In Matthew their present moral blindness and deafness are represented as the reason for the use of parables. Parables are themselves the punishment; the people are fit for nothing else (thus laying stress on the "has not" of ver. 12); therefore Christ speaks to them in parables. They seeing see not (seeing they see not, Revised Version, keeping the order of the Greek, as even the Authorized Version in the next clause); and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. The participles "seeing," "hearing," in Matthew and Luke, probably do not represent the Hebrew infinitive in its common usage of giving intensity or continuance to the idea of the finite verb to which it is joined (so in the original passage of Isaiah, and perhaps in Mark; compare also "seeing" in the next verse), but are to be taken separately, i.e." Though they have powers of seeing and of hearing, they nevertheless do not so use these powers as to see and hear" (for the thought, cf. <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a>). Thus in meaning, though not in form, as compared with the next verse, seeing is equivalent to "seeing ye shall see;" they see not, to "and shall in no wise perceive;" hearing, to "hearing ye shall hear;" they hear not, to "and shall in no wise understand." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/13-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>This τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. is why διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. I speak λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. to them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. parables: παραβολαῖς (parabolais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage. ‘Though Ὅτι (Hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. seeing, βλέποντες (blepontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. they do not see; βλέπουσιν (blepousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. [though] Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. hearing, ἀκούοντες (akouontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. they do not hear ἀκούουσιν (akouousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. [or] οὐδὲ (oude) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even. understand.’ συνίουσιν (syniousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4920.htm">Strong's 4920: </a> To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/13-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 13:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 13:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/13-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 13:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 13:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>