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What Does “Whoever Has Ears, Let Them Hear” Mean?

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April 27, 2024

In Matthew 13:9, Jesus says a curious thing.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:9 (NIV)

Jesus said this after telling a parable. What did he mean by it? Most people have ears, and while some people cannot hear, either because they were born unable to hear or something happened to cause hearing loss, I cannot imagine that Jesus is saying that only talking about people who can hear in this verse. Surely, Jesus isn’t saying that only those with hearing should hear his parable. 

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What Does “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” Mean in Matthew 12:7?

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April 26, 2024

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. (emphasis added).

Matthew 12:1-7 (NIV)

What does “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” mean in Matthew 12:7? 

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What Did Jesus Mean in Matthew 11:6?

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April 25, 2024

In Matthew 11:6, Jesus says something that might be confusing.

“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Matthew 11:6 (NIV)

Other Bible translations use the word “offended” instead of stumble, which doesn’t clear up any confusion. What did Jesus mean in Matthew 11:6?

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What Is Psalm 141:5 Really Saying?

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April 24, 2024

When we pray, should we pray about sin and sinners? If so, how should we pray? Consider this verse from Psalm 141.

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers (emphasis added).

Psalm 141:5 (NIV) 

What is this verse telling us?

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