Matthew 13:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To prevent some from falling into despair and others from becoming indifferent upon learning about the mysteries of the kingdom, notice how He illustrates that the responsibility lies with us: “For whosoever hath,” He declares, “to him shall be given and increased; and whosoever hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him.” Though these statements may seem somewhat enigmatic, they convey a fundamental truth. Essentially, it implies that those who genuinely seek and strive to attain the gifts of grace will receive all that God intends to provide, while those who lack this yearning and effort will find that even what they possess will not benefit them, and God’s gifts will not be granted to them.

For everyone who searches finds. ‘Ask,’ He stated, ‘and it will be granted to you.’ Observe how the Lord shared a parable, and it was only the disciples who understood it because of their eagerness to learn. Hence, we can conclude that to those who are diligent, understanding is provided and multiplied, while from those who lack diligence and the necessary contemplation, even what they believe they possess will be taken away. In other words, if someone has even a small ember of goodness, they will snuff it out unless they nurture it with the spirit and ignite it through spiritual deeds.

The Holy Spirit takes residence in those who are eager to learn and open to receiving heavenly truths, fostering the gifts within them. Conversely, those who have been given a glimmer of light but have failed to cultivate it will find that even the little they once possessed is entirely extinguished and withdrawn. This was the experience of the Jews; upon receiving the illumination of the law, they did not cultivate it, and when the Truth arrived, their lack of perception caused them to lose even what they had gained before.

To those who possess, even more will be added; while from those lacking, even the little they have will be taken away. This principle applies not merely as a measure of justice, but specifically concerning the apostles who placed their trust in Christ. From the Jewish people who rejected the Son of God, even the good they naturally inherited has been stripped away. Truly, those who lack the source of wisdom cannot grasp anything with true understanding.

To those who possess faith, understanding of divine mysteries will be granted along with a wealth of insight; conversely, to those lacking faith, even the blessings they have received from God will be removed. Each individual is endowed with God’s gifts, varying in form and nature. Those who conduct themselves righteously not only gain this knowledge, but they also receive a generous portion of it; however, those who behave otherwise not only miss out on this wisdom, but the gifts they once held are also withdrawn from them.

It is entirely plausible for one who possesses to accrue more. Conversely, it is impossible for something to be removed from one who lacks. How can this be the case? If what he lacks is taken away, what is actually lost to him? The reality is this: a person endowed with reason who fails to administer justice in a manner that honors God, and instead uses his intellect solely for temporal pursuits, appears, despite his possessions, to be lacking. Even though he may have physical sight, it could be said that he is blind. Ultimately, one who offers nothing to God is truly devoid of all.

Whoever truly desires and strives to attain the gifts of divine grace with a simple and humble heart that believes and listens to My word will receive these gifts abundantly. God will provide him with all things, and these blessings will increase. He will delve ever deeper into the mysteries of God, gaining greater understanding and insight. However, anyone who lacks the desire and effort to accept such grace will find himself without any gifts. Not only will he receive nothing, but what he possesses by nature—what he believes to be his rightful entitlement—will ultimately be of no value, as it lacks the life-giving blessing of God and will, in fact, bring about his condemnation.

After Jesus completed His parables, His disciples approached Him and inquired, “Why do You communicate with them in parables?” Christ replied, “I speak to them in parables because they see but do not perceive, and hear but do not comprehend. They are not truly blind or deaf, but rather their understanding has been compromised by misguided teachers, such as the scribes and Pharisees, leading them to nearly forfeit their ability to grasp the signs they have witnessed and the teachings they have received.

Despite its remarkable simplicity and clarity, even the disciples struggled to comprehend its significance. When the Savior returned to Peter's home in Capernaum, they eagerly sought His interpretation. Their inquiry revealed that the parable had profoundly affected them, stirring a thought within that yearned for understanding. Consequently, the Savior did not hesitate to provide the apostles, who were to be the future stewards of His mission, with a comprehensive explanation of the parable.

"To him who has, more will be given": this reflection highlights a general truth: the diligent individual becomes increasingly prosperous, while the idle tend to forfeit what little they possess. When considered in the context of spiritual and moral assets, such as divine insight and virtue, this adage speaks to you, Apostles. The understanding of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven that you have received allows you to explore these truths more deeply, gaining increasing clarity and embracing them more fully. In contrast, the masses would have completely lost their scant understanding of these mysteries had they not been provided with guidance that resonates more appropriately with them.

After dismissing the crowds, the Lord entered the house and was alone with His disciples. The apostles and others with Him approached and asked, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He replied, “The reason is that to you has been granted the understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to them, it has not been given. For those outside, everything is in parables; this is so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them, which states: ‘By hearing you will hear, and will not understand; and seeing you will see, and will not perceive’ (Is. 6:9-10). This prophecy, as quoted by the Evangelist Matthew from the Septuagint, originally referred to the people contemporary with the prophet Isaiah.