Matthew 13:13-16

The Purpose of the Parables

13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because b seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, c nor do they understand.

14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
d "'You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
 15 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears e they can barely hear,
and f their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and g understand with their heart
and h turn, and I would heal them.'

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

  1. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:4
    But to this day the Lord has not given you a he...
    Jeremiah 5:21
    Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who ...
    Ezekiel 12:2
    Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebelli...
    Romans 11:8
    As it is written, "God gave them a spirit of st...
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day,...
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded...
    Isaiah 42:19 - 20
    Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my mess...
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 13:19
    When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
    Matthew 13:51
    "Have you understood all these things?" They said to him, "Yes."
    Matthew 15:10
    And he called the people to him and said to them, "Hear and understand:
    Matthew 16:12
    Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
    Mark 8:21
    And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?
  3. Cross References
    John 12:40
    "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them."
    Acts 28:26 - 27
    'Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  4. Cross References
    Isaiah 6:9 - 10
    And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.
  5. Cross References
    Hebrews 5:11
    About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
  6. Cross References
    John 9:39
    Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
    John 9:41
    Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 10:10
    For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
  8. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 10:23 - 24
    Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!
    Matthew 16:17
    And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.