Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:16

What does Matthew 13:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:16 means

Jesus pronounces blessing on his disciples: their eyes see and ears hear. This affirms that those who respond to him are privileged receivers of kingdom truth. The blessing acknowledges spiritual perception given by God to those who follow. It also carries a solemn tone—blessing here includes responsibility to use that insight faithfully. Jesus contrasts the disciples’ openness with the crowd’s hardness, emphasizing that true understanding is a gift and a call to faithful living.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But a blessing be on your eyes, because they see; and on your ears, because they are open.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And happy are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear;

Context

This verse contrasts the prophetic indictment with the disciples’ situation: those who follow are blessed with perception. It prepares for verse 17, which underscores the uniqueness of their privilege compared to past prophets who longed to see these things but did not.

v.15For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

v.16This passage

v.17For verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 16:17

    And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

  • Luke 10:23

    And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

  • Luke 2:29

    Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace;

  • Matthew 5:3

    Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  • Ephesians 1:17

    that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;

  • Acts 26:18

    to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

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