Devine Scripture

Matthew 13:17

What does Matthew 13:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 13:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 13:17 means

Jesus says many prophets and righteous people longed to see and hear what the disciples now experience but did not. This statement places the disciples’ experience within God’s unfolding revelation: the coming of Jesus fulfills longings of previous generations. It humbles listeners by showing that they stand at a privileged moment in salvation history. The verse also invites reverence and responsibility: having what others desired means one must steward these revelations faithfully and in anticipation of God’s purposes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For truly, I say to you that prophets and upright men had a desire to see the things which you see, and saw them not; and to have knowledge of the words which have come to your ears, and they had it not.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for verily I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men did desire to see that which ye look on, and they did not see, and to hear that which ye hear, and they did not hear.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For, amen, I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them: and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see the things which ye behold and did not see [them], and to hear the things which ye hear and did not hear [them].

Context

Following the blessing, this verse connects the disciples’ privileged perception to the larger scriptural story. It underscores the significance of Jesus’ ministry as fulfillment. The stage is set for Jesus to return to the Parable of the Sower and explain it plainly to the disciples.

v.16But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

v.17This passage

v.18Hear then ye the parable of the sower.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 1:10

    Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

  • Hebrews 11:39

    And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,

  • John 8:56

    Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.

  • Hebrews 11:13

    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  • Luke 10:24

    for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

  • Ephesians 3:5

    which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

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