Matthew 13:9

13:9 The one who has ears had better listen!”

Matthew 13:16

13:16 “But your eyes are blessed because they see, and your ears because they hear.


tn The translation “had better listen!” captures the force of the third person imperative more effectively than the traditional “let him hear,” which sounds more like a permissive than an imperative to the modern English reader. This was Jesus’ common expression to listen and heed carefully (cf. Matt 11:15, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8, 14:35).

sn This beatitude highlights the great honor bestowed on the disciples to share in this salvation.