Matthew 13:17

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples immediately after declaring their eyes and ears blessed in Matthew 13:16 and immediately before directing them to consider the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18.

The words — Ἀμὴν (Amēn) opens the statement with formal certainty, while πολλοὶ (polloi) and προφῆται (prophētai) specify the group whose historical longing is being contrasted with the disciples' present reality.

The thread — The same structural claim appears in Luke 10:24, while John 8:56 and Hebrews 11:13 develop the broader biblical motif of earlier figures longing for but not receiving the promised fulfillment.

Why it lands — The text states that prophets and righteous men desired the very sight and hearing the disciples now possess but could not obtain. It requires the reader to acknowledge the unique historical position of the disciples without reducing that privilege to a repeatable spiritual formula.

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

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.

Cross-references

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Luke 10:24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.