King James Version

What Does Matthew 13:13 Mean?

Matthew 13:13 in the King James Version says “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understan...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”

Matthew 13:13 · KJV

Context

11

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

12

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

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.

Read Matthew 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.' Jesus explains why He teaches in parables: judicial hardening. The paradox: 'seeing see not; hearing hear not'—they have physical capacities but lack spiritual perception. This fulfills Isaiah 6:9-10 (quoted in v.14-15). Reformed theology recognizes this as describing reprobation: God judicially hardens those who persistently reject truth, confirming them in their chosen blindness. Parables reveal truth to receptive hearts while concealing it from hardened hearts—serving both purposes simultaneously. The verse demonstrates: (1) Natural human inability to perceive spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14); (2) Responsibility for that inability (they chose not to see/hear); (3) Divine judgment confirming their choice. This isn't arbitrary—it's response to willful rejection. Those who love darkness receive more darkness; those who love light receive more light. The teaching method itself becomes judgment on some, blessing on others. Same parable, opposite effects—determined by heart condition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 6:9-10, given to Isaiah during his prophetic commissioning (740 BC), predicted Judah would hear prophecy without responding—judicial hardening as judgment for persistent covenant unfaithfulness. Jesus quotes this, indicating His generation faced same pattern: despite witnessing miracles and hearing teaching, many hardened their hearts. The quotation demonstrates prophetic fulfillment: Israel's pattern of rejection continued. Paul applies Isaiah 6:9-10 to first-century Jewish rejection of gospel (Acts 28:26-27), showing ongoing pattern. Yet Isaiah also predicted remnant would respond (Isaiah 6:13)—fulfilled in disciples and Jewish believers. Church history shows repeated pattern: clear gospel proclaimed, some respond in faith, others harden in unbelief. The mystery: why different responses to identical message? Scripture answers: divine election and illumination (Matthew 11:25-27, John 6:44, Acts 16:14, 1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Modern church faces this: some hear gospel repeatedly yet remain unmoved; others hear once and believe. The difference isn't message quality but heart receptivity—which God sovereignly grants or withholds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this principle of judicial hardening affect evangelism—should we continue preaching to those who persistently reject, knowing it may harden them further?
  2. What responsibility do hearers bear for their inability to understand—is it their fault if they can't perceive truth?
  3. How do you cultivate soft, receptive heart rather than gradually hardening through repeated exposure to truth without response?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
διὰ1 of 16

“Therefore”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 16
G5124

that thing

ἐν3 of 16

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

παραβολαῖς4 of 16

“parables”

G3850

a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage

αὐτοῖς5 of 16

“to them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λαλῶ6 of 16

“speak I”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

ὅτι7 of 16

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

βλέπουσιν8 of 16

“see”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

οὐκ9 of 16

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

βλέπουσιν10 of 16

“see”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

καὶ11 of 16

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκούουσιν12 of 16

“hearing”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

οὐκ13 of 16

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀκούουσιν14 of 16

“hearing”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

οὐδὲ15 of 16

“neither”

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

συνίουσιν16 of 16

“do they understand”

G4920

to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 13:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 13:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 12:2Jeremiah 5:21Isaiah 42:18-202 Corinthians 4:3-4John 3:19-20Deuteronomy 29:3-4

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