Bible Strands
Mark 4:9
Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the crowd gathered around Him immediately after describing how seed on good soil produces a multiplied crop. He speaks this line directly following the conclusion of the parable of the sower.
The words — The Greek construction ὃς (hos) ἔχει (echei) ὦτα (ōta) literally renders “he who has ears.” The final verb ἀκουετω (akouetō) functions as a command meaning “he should hear” or “let him hear.”
The thread — The text records this exact formula in Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:23, and Revelation 3:22. In each location, the phrase appears as a closing statement to a teaching or warning.
Why it lands — The text commands the listener to actively process the preceding message rather than merely receive it audibly. It requires the reader to apply spiritual discernment to understand the parable's meaning.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Cross-references
- Matthew 11:15 He who has ears, let him hear.
- Mark 4:23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
- Mark 7:14 Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand:
- Luke 8:18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
- Revelation 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- Matthew 13:9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
- Matthew 15:10 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.
- Mark 4:3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.