Parables Provide Spiritual Depth

Scripture: Matthew 13: 12-15

Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. ¹⁴ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]

Scripture Commentary:

When speaking in parables, Jesus was not hiding truth from sincere seekers. Those who were receptive to spiritual truth understood the illustrations. To others they were only stories without meaning. This allowed Jesus to give spiritual food to those who hungered for it while preventing His enemies from trapping Him.

Human ears hear many sounds but there is a deeper kind of listening that results in spiritual understanding.

If you honestly seek God’s will, you have spiritual hearing. And these parables give you new perspectives.

Don’t be discouraged if you do not always see results as you faithfully teach the Word. To those who are honestly searching, the truth becomes clear. Develop the discipline of spending time alone with God. It will help you grow spiritually and become closer to Him.

We are to make ourselves ready by making sure that our faith is sincere.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 13

Read Other Commentary from the New Testament:

Do You Believe Christ is Raised From the Dead?

You Don’t Have to Be a Slave to Sin