Mark 4:9

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Mark 4:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

King James Version KJV

And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

American Standard Version ASV

And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And he said to them, Whoever has ears, let him give ear.

Free Bible Version FBV

If you have ears to hear, listen to what I'm saying.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then he said vnto them, He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And he said to them, 'He who is having ears to hear — let him hear.'

World English Bible WEB

He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And he said to them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Jesus said, “If you want to understand this [MTY], you should consider carefully what I have just said.”

Plain English Version PEV

Then Jesus said, “You’ve got ears, so you have to listen to me properly, and take notice of my words.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Mark 4:9

BAB

Word Study

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Mark 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και ελεγεν ο εχων ωτα ακουειν ακουετω

και kai G2532 and Conj

ελεγεν legō G3004 to say Verb-IAI-3S

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

εχων echō G2192 to have/be Verb-PAP-NSM

ωτα ous G3775 ear Noun-APN

ακουειν akouō G191 to hear Verb-PAN

ακουετω akouō G191 to hear Verb-PAM-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Mark 4:9

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ελεγεν legō G3004 "to say" Verb-IAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

εχων echō G2192 "to have/be" Verb-PAP-NSM

This Greek word means to have or hold something, like a possession or ability. It is used in many ways, such as having power or being with someone. The Bible uses it in Revelation 5:8 and 14:6.

Definition: ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. __I. Trans.; __1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; __(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; __(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; __(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; __(d) to hold fast, keep: Luk.19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mrk.16:8 (cf. Job.21:6, Isa.13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), Jhn.14:21, Rom.1:28, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:13, Rev.6:9, al.; __(e) to involve: Heb.10:35 (LXX), Jas.1:4, 1Jn.4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luk.14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Mat.14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Mat.21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mrk.11:32. __2. to have, possess; __(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Mat.19:22, Mrk.10:22, Luk.12:19, Jhn.10:16, 1Co.11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Mat.13:12 25:29, 2Co.8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2Co.8:11; __(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, Jhn.8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1Co.7:2; φίλον, Luk.11:5; βασιλέα, Jhn.19:15; ποιμένα, Mat.9:36; with dupl. accusative, Mat.3:9, al.; __(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Mat.19:15; μέλη, Rom.12:4; θεμελίους, __(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1Th.3:6; ἀγάπην, Jhn.13:35; γνῶσιν, 1Co.8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2Co.3:4; θλίψιν, Jhn.16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.); __(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1Co.7:37; νόμον, Jhn.19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1Co.7:25; ἀγῶνα, Php.1:30; κρίμα, 1Ti.5:12; __(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.5:23, Mrk.11:25; id. before ὅτι, Rev.2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Act.24:19, al.; __(g) with inf., __(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Mat.18:25, Mrk.14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luk.12:4, Act.4:14, al; __(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luk.12:50, Act.23:17-19 28:19. __II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Act.21:13, 2Co.12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mrk.5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Mat.4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, Jhn.4:52; πῶς, Act.15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1Ti.5:25; οὕτως, Act.7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7:11), Act.24:25. __III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Heb.6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mrk.1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luk.13:33, Act.20:15 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Act.13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 628 NT verses. KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use See also: 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 2:12.

ωτα ous G3775 "ear" Noun-APN

The Greek word for ear refers to both the physical ear and the ability to hear and understand. It's used in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:16 and Luke 22:50. This word represents listening and perceiving.

Definition: οὖς genitive, ὠτός, τό, [in LXX chiefly for אֹזֶן ;] the ear: Mat.13:16, Mrk.7:33, Luk.22:50, 1Co.2:9 12:16, 1Pe.3:12; ἐν τ. ὠσί, Luk.4:21; εἰς τ. ὦτα ἀκούεσθαι, Act.7:57; γίνεσθαι, Luk.1:44; εἰσέρχεσθαι, Jas.5:4; εἰς τ. οὖς ἀκούειν, Mat.10:27; πρὸς τ. οὖς λαλεῖν, Luk.12:3; τὰ ὦ. συνέχειν (MM, xviii), Act.7:57. Metaphorical, of understanding, perceiving, knowing: Mat.13:16; ὁ ἔχων (εἴ τις ἔχει) οὖς ἀκουσάτω, Rev.2:7, 11 2:17, 29 3:6, 13 13:9; ὁ ἔχων (ὃς ἔχει, εἴ τις ἔχει) ὦτα (ἀκούειν) ἀκουέτω, Mat.11:15 13:9, 43, Mrk.4:9, 23 7:16 (R, mg.), Luk.8:8 14:35; τοῖς ὠ. βαρέως ἀκούειν, Mat.13:15 Act.28:27" (LXX) ; ὦ. ἔχοντες οὐκ ἀκούειν, Mrk.8:18; ὦ. τοῦ μὴ ἀκούειν, Rom.11:8; θέσθε εἰς τὰ ὦ., Luk.9:44; ἀπερίτμητος τοῖς ὠ., Act.7:51.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 35 NT verses. KJV: ear See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Mark 7:16; 1 Peter 3:12.

ακουειν akouō G191 "to hear" Verb-PAN

To hear or listen, not just with our ears but also to understand and obey, as Jesus says in Mark 4:3 and Matthew 11:15. It involves paying attention to what is being said and responding accordingly.

Definition: ἀκούω, [in LXX chiefly for שׁמע ] to hear, listen, attend, perceive by hearing, comprehend by hearing. __1. Intrans.: Mrk.4:3 7:37, Jas.2:5, Rev.2:7, al.; τ. ὠσίν, Mat.13:15 (LXX); with cogn. dative, ακοῇ ἀ. (see: ἀκοή), Mat.13:14, Act.28:26" (LXX) ; ὁ ἔχων ὦτα (οὖς) ἀκούειν, ἀκουσάτω, Mat.11:15, Mrk.4:23, Rev.2:7, al. __2. Trans., prop. with accusative of thing(s), of thing heard, genitive of person(s), from whom heard (LS, see word): Act.1:4; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.12:19, Jhn.3:8 (Abbott, JG, 76), Act.22:9, al.; with dupl. accusative, Jhn.12:18, 1Co.11:18; with genitive of thing(s), Jhn.7:40 (Abbott, JV, 116); τ. φωνῆς (cf. Heb. שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, Exo.18:19), Jhn.5:25, 28 Act.9:7 (on the distinction bet. this and ἀ. φωνήν, ib. 4, see M, Pr., 66; Field, Notes, 117; Abbott, Essays, 93f.); of God answering prayer, Jhn.9:31, 1Jn.5:14, 15; with accusative of thing(s), before παρά, Jhn.8:26, 40 Act.10:22, 2Ti.2:2; id. before ἀπό, 1Jn.1:5; with genitive pars. before ptcp., Mrk.14:58, Luk.18:36, al. (On NT usage generally, see Bl., §36, 5; Cremer, 82.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 401 NT verses. KJV: give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand See also: 1 Corinthians 2:9; Acts 23:16; Hebrews 2:1.

ακουετω akouō G191 "to hear" Verb-PAM-3S

To hear or listen, not just with our ears but also to understand and obey, as Jesus says in Mark 4:3 and Matthew 11:15. It involves paying attention to what is being said and responding accordingly.

Study Notes — Mark 4:9

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Context
Cross References
Mark 4:9 Summary
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 4:9
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Context — The Parable of the Sower

7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings, and they yielded no crop. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.”

9Then Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

10As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable. 11He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 11:15	He who has ears, let him hear.
2	Mark 4:23–24	If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.
3	Revelation 3:22	He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
4	Revelation 3:13	He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
5	Revelation 3:6	He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
6	Mark 7:14–15	Once again Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “All of you, listen to Me and understand: Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him; but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him.”
7	Luke 8:18	Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
8	Matthew 15:10	Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.
9	Matthew 13:9	He who has ears, let him hear.”
10	Mark 4:3	“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.

Mark 4:9 Summary

[Jesus is saying that if we want to understand the truth He is sharing, we need to really listen and pay attention. This means not just hearing with our ears, but also understanding and applying what He teaches, as seen in Matthew 7:24-27. By doing so, we can grow spiritually and bear fruit, like the good soil in the parable of the sower. As Jesus teaches in John 10:27, His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, which is a call to all believers to listen and obey.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear'?

Jesus is calling His listeners to pay attention and understand the spiritual truth He is sharing, as seen in similar phrases in Matthew 11:15 and Revelation 2:7, where hearing implies spiritual understanding and obedience.

Is Jesus speaking only to His disciples or to the larger crowd?

While Jesus' statement is directed to everyone present, the following verses, Mark 4:10-11, indicate that only His disciples and those close to Him will receive a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God, as stated in Matthew 13:11 and Luke 8:10.

How can we 'hear' in the way Jesus is asking?

To 'hear' as Jesus intends means to not just listen with our physical ears but to also understand and apply the spiritual truths He teaches, as emphasized in James 1:22-25, where hearing is followed by doing.

What is the significance of Jesus' statement in the context of the parable of the sower?

Jesus' statement serves as a conclusion to the parable, highlighting the importance of the listener's response to the message, similar to the call to action in Isaiah 55:3 and Acts 3:22-23, where hearing and responding to God's message are crucial for spiritual growth and salvation.

Reflection Questions

What are the areas in my life where I need to 'hear' and obey Jesus' teachings more fully?
How can I cultivate a deeper understanding and application of Jesus' teachings in my daily life, as He calls me to 'hear'?
In what ways can I be more attentive to the spiritual truths Jesus shares, and how can I share these truths with others?
What are the 'seeds' of spiritual truth that Jesus has sown in my heart, and how can I nurture them to bear fruit?

Gill's Exposition on Mark 4:9

And he said unto them,.... To the multitude of hearers that were on the sea shore attending to the word preached, and among whom, doubtless, there were all those sorts of hearers mentioned in this

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Mark 4:9

Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Mark 4:9

See Poole on ""

Trapp's Commentary on Mark 4:9

9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Ver. 9. He that hath ears, &c.] A form of speech to stir up attention; like the Athenian, Ακουσατε, ανδρες; and our Oyez, from the French. Our Saviour cried and said so, saith St Luke.

Ellicott's Commentary on Mark 4:9

IV. (1-20) He began.—See Notes on Matthew 13:1-23.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Mark 4:9

Verse 9. And he said - He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.] The Codex Bezae, later Syriac in the margin, and seven copies of the Itala, add, καιὁσυνιωνσυνιετω, and whoso understandeth, let him understand.

Cambridge Bible on Mark 4:9

9. He that hath ears to hear] These solemn words are found in the three Gospels. Our Lord is recorded to have used them on six occasions; (1) Matthew 11:15; (2) Matthew 13:43; (3) Mark 4:9; (4) Mark 4:23; (5) Mark 7:16; (6) Luke 14:35. They are not found in St John’s Gospel, but occur eight times in the Book of Rev 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29; Revelation 3:6; Revelation 3:13; Revelation 3:22; Revelation 13:9.

Sermons on Mark 4:9

	Sermon	Description
	(Hebrews - Part 35): How Abraham Knew He Was Called by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the call of God and how it can come to people in various circumstances. He emphasizes that the call of God is for everyone, but not everyone
	Epistle to the Romans by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God to a defeated and bound audience. He uses the example of a young man who realized the ineffectiv
	1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 4 by Richard Wurmbrand	This sermon delves into the themes of affliction, abortion, and the importance of listening to God, Jesus, and nature. It reflects on the suffering experienced in communist countri
	Patmos Christians by Vance Havner	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the church to have a true vision of Jesus, rather than just a pleasant image of the man of Galilee. He criticizes the church's
	Only God Can Do the Work of God and David Platt by Francis Chan	This sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing the Spirit to work in people's hearts rather than trying to forcefully persuade or manufacture change. It highlights the need for
	(Following the Footsteps of Christ) Capernaum by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. The speaker emphasizes the love and unity of these friends, as the
	(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 36-40 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker expresses his concern for those who reject God's truth and continue in their sinful ways. He emphasizes the importance of listening to God's warnings an