Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:12

What does Matthew 13:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:12 means

Jesus states a principle: whoever has (receptive understanding) will receive more, while whoever lacks will lose even what they have. This is a sober law of spiritual growth and responsibility: initial understanding ought to lead to deeper insight and fruit; failure to respond results in spiritual impoverishment. It warns against complacency—having a little insight but not using it leads to loss. The verse both encourages faithful cultivation of revealed truth and explains why revelation is progressive for the receptive.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have more; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for whoever hath, it shall be given to him, and he shall have overabundance, and whoever hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken from him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that hath not, from him shall be taken away that also which he hath.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall be caused to be in abundance; but he who has not, even what he has shall be taken away from him.

Context

Placed right after Jesus says some are given mysteries, this verse explains the consequences of receptivity or hardness. It frames parables as a test and as a means of blessing for those who respond. The passage then explicates why Jesus speaks in parables: those who see/hear without understanding are judged.

v.11And he answered and said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

v.12This passage

v.13Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 3:15

    I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

  • John 15:2

    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit.

  • Matthew 25:29

    For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away.

  • Mark 12:9

    What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

  • Luke 8:18

    Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

  • Revelation 2:5

    Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

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