King James Version

What Does Matthew 13:14 Mean?

Matthew 13:14 in the King James Version says “And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and se...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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:”

Matthew 13:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9 directly, showing His generation fulfills this prophecy. The repetition emphasizes paradox: they hear but don't understand; they see but don't perceive. Physical senses function; spiritual perception is absent. Reformed theology sees this describing natural human condition apart from regeneration: all possess external capacity (ears, eyes) but lack internal capacity (spiritual understanding) until God grants it. The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrates God's sovereign control over who perceives truth. This isn't failure of revelation—Jesus taught clearly, performed undeniable miracles—but judicial response to hardened hearts. The verse connects Jesus's ministry to Israel's larger pattern of prophetic rejection. Just as Isaiah's generation heard without heeding, Jesus's generation witnessed without believing. The problem wasn't insufficient evidence but resistant hearts. This challenges seeker-sensitive assumption that clear presentation guarantees positive response. Truth requires not just external clarity but internal illumination (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 6:9 occurred in context of Uzziah's death (740 BC) and Syro-Ephraimite crisis. Despite Isaiah's faithful prophetic ministry, Judah persisted in idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. God predicted their hearing without heeding would continue until judgment fell (Isaiah 6:11-13)—fulfilled in Babylonian exile. Jesus applies this pattern to His generation: like Isaiah's audience, they witnessed clear revelation yet rejected it. The prophetic pattern repeats: faithful proclamation, general rejection, judgment. The quotation demonstrates how Old Testament prophecies had immediate historical fulfillment yet also found eschatological fulfillment in Jesus's ministry. Isaiah didn't know his words applied specifically to first-century rejection of Messiah, yet they did. This is pattern prophecy: repeated fulfillment across redemptive history. Early church extensively used this text explaining Jewish rejection of gospel. Paul quotes it at Romans 11:8 and Acts 28:26-27. The principle remains: wherever gospel is clearly preached, some will respond, many will harden. The fault lies not in message but in hearers' hardened hearts—confirmed by divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this repeated pattern of prophetic rejection across redemptive history teach about human nature and need for divine grace?
  2. How does understanding that even perfect revelation doesn't guarantee positive response affect evangelistic expectations?
  3. What comfort comes from knowing that rejection of gospel message fulfills prophecy rather than indicating failure?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
καὶ1 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

ἀναπληροῦται2 of 22

“is fulfilled”

G378

to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish (by coincidence ot obedience)

ἐπ'3 of 22

“in”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτοῖς4 of 22

“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

ἡ5 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφητεία6 of 22

“the prophecy”

G4394

prediction (scriptural or other)

Ἠσαΐου7 of 22

“of Esaias”

G2268

hesaias (i.e., jeshajah), an israelite

ἡ8 of 22

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λέγουσα9 of 22

“saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἀκοῇ10 of 22

“By hearing”

G189

hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)

ἀκούσετε11 of 22

“ye shall hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ12 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

οὐ13 of 22
G3756

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

μὴ14 of 22
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

συνῆτε15 of 22

“shall”

G4920

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

καὶ16 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

βλέψετε17 of 22

“seeing”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

βλέψετε18 of 22

“seeing”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

καὶ19 of 22

“And”

G2532

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

οὐ20 of 22
G3756

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

μὴ21 of 22
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἴδητε22 of 22

“perceive”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

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 13:14 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 13:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 6:9-10Ezekiel 12:22 Corinthians 3:14Luke 8:10Acts 28:25-27Mark 4:12

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