Matthew 13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Matthew 13:15 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." from the book of Matthew (13:15) is a powerful message from Jesus explaining the spiritual condition of the people he was addressing. In this verse, Jesus is lamenting the fact that many individuals have become spiritually hardened and closed off to the truths he is trying to impart to them. Their hearts have become insensitive, their ears unable to hear, and their eyes closed to the spiritual realities around them. Jesus is expressing his desire for them to open their hearts, ears, and eyes, so they may truly see, hear, understand, be converted, and ultimately receive healing from him. This verse serves as a reminder to always be open and receptive to spiritual teachings so that one can experience true transformation and healing in their lives.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the phrase "heart is waxed gross" is a metaphorical way of saying that the people's hearts have become hardened or insensitive. The idea of their ears being "dull of hearing" suggests that they are not listening attentively to the message being shared with them. The closing of their eyes indicates a willful ignorance or refusal to see the truth. The passage highlights the importance of spiritual understanding and conversion, which can only happen if the individual is open and receptive to God's healing and transformative power. This verse serves as a call to self-examination and a reminder of the consequences of closing oneself off to divine revelation. It emphasizes the need for humility, openness, and willingness to see, hear, and understand in order to experience spiritual healing and transformation.
Matthew 13:15 in other translations
American Standard Version
For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
World English Bible
for this people’s heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.’
Douay-Rheims
For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For this peoples heart is waxed fat, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes they haue winked, lest they should see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and should vnderstand with their hearts, and should returne, that I might heale them.