Ezekiel 20:49
Ezekiel 20:49 in Multiple Translations
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
Then said I, Ah Lord Jehovah! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?
Then I said, Ah, Lord! they say of me, Is he not a maker of stories?
But then I said, “Oh no, Lord God! People already say, ‘He's just telling stories!’”
And I say, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, They are saying of me, Is he not using similes?
Then I said, “Ah Lord GOD! They say of me, ‘Isn’t he a speaker of parables?’”
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?
And I said: Ah, ah, ah, O Lord God: they say of me: Doth not this man speak by parables?
Then I said, “Yahweh, my Lord, when I tell things like this to people, they do not believe me. They say about me, ‘He is only telling parables.’ ”
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:49
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:49
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 20:49 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:49
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:49
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:49
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
- Sermons on Ezekiel 20:49
Context — A Prophecy against the South
49Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 16:25 | I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father. |
| 2 | Acts 17:18 | Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 17:2 | “Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel |
| 4 | Matthew 13:13–14 | This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. |
Ezekiel 20:49 Summary
[This verse shows that the people were doubting Ezekiel's messages from God, thinking they were just made-up stories. But Ezekiel was called by God to deliver His Word, and he was committed to being faithful to that call, as seen in Ezekiel 2:1-3:11. We can learn from Ezekiel's example to prioritize our loyalty to God over human approval, as in Galatians 1:10 or Acts 5:29. By trusting in God's sovereignty and timing, we can be faithful messengers of His Word, even in the face of criticism or skepticism.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the people to say that Ezekiel is just telling parables?
The people are implying that Ezekiel's messages from God are not to be taken literally, but rather as fictional stories or allegories, as seen in other prophetic contexts like Isaiah 5:1-7 or Jeremiah 3:6-10.
Why would the people think Ezekiel's messages are just parables?
The people may have thought this because Ezekiel's messages often contained symbolic language and metaphors, as in Ezekiel 15:1-5 or Ezekiel 16:1-63, which can be difficult to understand without proper context and explanation.
How does this relate to Ezekiel's role as a prophet?
As a prophet, Ezekiel was called by God to deliver His messages to the people, as seen in Ezekiel 2:1-3:11, and the people's skepticism highlights the challenges and criticisms that prophets often faced, similar to Jeremiah 20:7-13 or Amos 7:10-17.
What can we learn from Ezekiel's response to the people's criticism?
Ezekiel's response shows that he is concerned about the people's perception of his ministry, but ultimately, he is more concerned about being faithful to God's call, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17-21, and this should encourage us to prioritize our loyalty to God over human approval, as in Galatians 1:10 or Acts 5:29.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have doubted or dismissed God's messages in my own life, and how can I be more open to His Word?
- How can I balance the need to understand and interpret Scripture with the risk of misinterpreting or dismissing its message?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's sovereignty and timing, even when I do not fully understand His plan, as in Proverbs 3:5-6 or Isaiah 55:8-9?
- In what ways can I be a faithful messenger of God's Word, even in the face of criticism or skepticism, as in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 or Matthew 10:16-20?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:49
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:49
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:49
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:49
Sermons on Ezekiel 20:49
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Overcoming Sexual Sin by Jason Robinson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being in harmony with one another in the church. He explains that when believers are in symphony with each other, they can |
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The Measure of Immeasurable Power by Alexander Maclaren | Alfred Plummer explains that 'apaggello' means to proclaim and make known, while 'anaggello' means to proclaim again what has been received elsewhere. The root word 'aggello' is se |
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Acts 18_pt1 by Bill Gallatin | In this sermon, the preacher describes the city of Corinth during the time of the Roman Empire. He emphasizes how the people of Corinth had turned away from God and worshiped creat |
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Jesus Christ the Only Answer by John Hunter | John Hunter preaches about the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of peace and satisfaction, rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly riches or religio |
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Receiving Divine Chastisement by A.W. Pink | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of deities, focusing on the idea of demons or evil spirits with supernatural powers that are neither human nor divine. The preach |
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Homily 19 on the Statues by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of avoiding oaths, drawing examples from the destruction of Jerusalem due to a broken oath by King Zedekiah. He emphasizes the severe |
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(Spain) a Greater Than Solomon Is Here by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of Jesus calming the storm and questions why the disciples were so fearful and lacking in faith. He shares a personal experience |