Matthew 13:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Sin is not inherent, nor is it a matter of necessity or coercion. Consider the words of Christ to the apostles, “But blessed are your eyes that see, and your ears that hear,” indicating that true sight and hearing transcend mere sensory perception and engage the mind. The apostles, being Jews raised under the same law, were not adversely affected by prophecy, as the foundation of righteousness—namely, reason and will—was firmly rooted within them. Notice that the phrase “it is given unto you to know” does not imply that knowledge is obligatory. If it were so, how could they be deemed blessed if this virtuous endeavor were not theirs to choose? Do not claim that His teachings were beyond comprehension.

Blessed are the physical eyes and ears of the apostles, yet even more deserving of appreciation are their spiritual eyes and ears, for they have come to recognize Christ.

Christ thus bestows glory upon them for hearing the voice of the Son and for the privilege of witnessing Him. Through Him and in Him, they spiritually perceived the essence of God the Father. This is the honor that the saints of antiquity received, along with a complete experience of spiritual blessings.

Alas for those who willfully blind themselves to the truth! BLESSED are YOUR spiritual EYES for perceiving this truth, and BLESSED are YOUR spiritual EARS for receiving it. Though you belong to the Jewish heritage, the words of Isaiah do not pertain to you, for you sincerely hunger for the truth with all your heart; you recognize me as the Messiah sent by God, and thus you grasp the truth.

The phrase "Whoever has, to him shall be given and increased, and whoever does not have, from him shall be taken away even that which he has" when considered in isolation may appear perplexing. However, if we view it in light of the context, which explains that the Word of God concerning the Kingdom of Heaven is truly apprehended only by those with a receptive mind and heart, it becomes clear that the focus is not on the literal accumulation of material wealth for the wealthy or the deprivation of the poor. Rather, it concerns the enrichment of a person's spiritual life through genuine knowledge of God. Some might ask: What fault lies with a person who lacks such receptivity to God's Word? Why should they lose what little understanding they possess?

Despite its remarkable simplicity and clarity, even the disciples struggled to grasp its significance. Upon the Saviour's return to the house of Peter, one of the apostles, in Capernaum, they were eager to seek an explanation. Their inquiry demonstrated that the parable had profoundly impacted them, stirring a thought that craved understanding. The Saviour readily provided the apostles, who would be His future representatives, with a thorough interpretation of the parable.

"Blessed are the eyes - and the ears": This refers to perception and comprehension that transcends mere physical senses (Chrysostom). You are truly fortunate because you perceive with your sight, grasping the deeper meaning and importance of what you observe, and because you hear with your ears, discerning the essence and value of what you listen to. This stands in stark contrast to the Jews, who, though they saw with their physical eyes, were blind in understanding; similarly, their hearing did not lead to true comprehension.

After dismissing the crowds, the Lord entered a house and, when alone with His disciples, the twelve apostles and others who gathered around Him posed the question, "Why do you teach in parables?" He explained, "It is because to you has been granted the understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to them it has not been given. They encounter these teachings only as parables, as those who have sight do not truly see, and those who have ears do not truly hear or comprehend. The prophecy of Isaiah is thereby realized in them, stating, 'By hearing you will hear and not understand; and seeing you will see and not perceive.' This prophecy (Is.