Bible Strands
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples immediately after explaining the parable of the sower to the surrounding crowds. He marks the moment by contrasting their receptive posture with the calloused unresponsiveness of the listeners in Matthew 13:15.
The words — μακάριοι (makarioi) means blessed, and βλέπουσιν (blepousin) means they see. The Greek syntax directly ties their physical sight and hearing to a state of divine favor.
The thread — Jesus repeats this declaration in Luke 10:23 and applies the same title to Simon in Matthew 16:17. Paul later mirrors the concept of granted spiritual perception in Ephesians 1:17.
Why it lands — The text states that physical sight and hearing have become the mechanism for receiving revelation. The reader must acknowledge that understanding is a bestowed condition, not a self-generated capability.
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
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Cross-references
- Luke 10:23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
- Matthew 16:17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
- John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
- Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Luke 2:29 “Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.
- Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.