Teach About the Bible

What Does Matthew 13:9 Mean?

Matthew 13:9 describes Jesus ending His parable of the sower with a call to truly listen: 'He who has ears, let him hear.' This isn’t about physical hearing, but about spiritual understanding - inviting people to reflect on how they receive God’s word, as seen in the different soils representing different hearts (Matthew 13:3-8).

Matthew 13:9

He who has ears, let him hear.

Embracing the call to spiritual understanding, where true hearing transcends physical sound and awakens the heart to God's word

Key Facts

Book

Matthew

Author

Matthew

Genre

Gospel

Date

c. 80-90 AD

Key People

Key Themes

Key Takeaways

True hearing means letting God’s word take root.
Listen with your heart, not just your ears.
Fruitful faith responds and endures beyond initial hearing.

Context and Meaning of Matthew 13:9

Jesus says 'He who has ears, let him hear' at the end of the parable of the sower, right after describing how different soils represent different ways people respond to God’s message (Matthew 13:3-8).

He’s speaking to a large crowd by the lake, using stories to explain what it means to truly follow God. Not everyone will understand or respond, but those who do - those with 'ears to hear' - are being invited to take the message seriously and let it shape their lives.

This phrase marks a turning point. Jesus is about to explain the parable privately to his disciples, showing that spiritual insight comes from more than hearing - it requires a heart ready to receive truth (Matthew 13:10-17).

A Simple Call to Listen with Your Heart

Embracing spiritual insight through an open and receptive heart, where true understanding and growth flourish

This simple phrase, 'He who has ears, let him hear,' isn't about decoding a secret message - it's a direct nudge to pay attention and let God's words sink in.

Jesus often used this line at the end of teachings to highlight that hearing the message is only the initial step. Real understanding comes when your heart responds and sticks with it, like the good soil in the parable that actually produces fruit (Matthew 13:8, 23).

Now, Jesus will go on to explain the meaning of the parable to his disciples, showing that true spiritual insight comes from a heart that’s open and ready to learn.

Listen and Live: A Call to Spiritual Attention

This call to 'hear' is more than a close to a story - it’s an invitation to respond with a heart that’s truly open.

Matthew includes this repeated phrase to show that Jesus was not merely teaching facts, but calling people to a living faith - like the good soil that hears, understands, and bears fruit (Matthew 13:23).

Hearing God’s word isn’t the goal - letting it take root and bear fruit is.

The same theme runs through Matthew’s Gospel: God wants more than outward attention. He wants hearts that listen, believe, and follow - because true life begins where hearing turns into doing.

A Call Echoed Through Scripture

Embracing the divine invitation to listen with the heart and respond with the whole life, as the Spirit speaks to those who have ears to hear.

This call to truly hear echoes beyond Matthew, appearing again in Revelation where Jesus says to each of the seven churches, 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches' (Revelation 2:7, 3:22).

Just as in Matthew, these words are not merely for ancient believers - they are a living invitation to every person to listen with more than their ears and respond to God’s message with their whole life.

This repeating refrain ties Jesus’ teaching to the larger story of Scripture: God has always wanted a people who do not merely hear His words, but live by them - from the prophets to Jesus to the final call in Revelation.

Application

How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact

Imagine sitting in a busy coffee shop, scrolling through your phone while a friend shares something deeply personal. You nod along, but your mind is elsewhere. Later, you realize you missed most of what they said. That’s how we often treat God’s voice - present, but not truly heard. Matthew 13:9 cuts through that distraction. It’s not enough to attend church, read a verse, or say a quick prayer. Jesus is asking: Are you really listening? When life gets loud, when pain comes, or when temptation whispers, the condition of your heart determines whether God’s word takes root or gets snatched away. This isn’t about guilt - it’s about hope. Because if you’ve ever felt shallow, distracted, or choked by worry, this call invites you to slow down, open your heart, and let truth finally grow.

Personal Reflection

When was the last time I truly paused to listen to God’s word, not merely hear it in passing?
What distractions or worries in my life are acting like thorns, keeping God’s truth from taking deep root?
Am I responding to Scripture with temporary excitement, or with lasting change that bears fruit?

A Challenge For You

This week, choose one short passage of Scripture - a few verses - and read it slowly each morning. Don’t rush. Ask yourself: What is God saying to me here? Then, at the end of the day, write down one way you tried to live it out. It could be as simple as showing patience, speaking kindness, or resisting a negative thought.

A Prayer of Response

God, I admit there are times I hear Your words but don’t really listen. My heart gets hard, distracted, or full of worry. Today, I ask You to soften it. Help me not merely to read the Bible, but to let it take root deep inside me. Give me the kind of heart that hears You - and then follows. Thank You for speaking to me. I want to be someone who truly hears.

Continue to Matthew 13:10: Why Jesus Taught in Stories