He who has earsThis phrase is a call to attention, emphasizing the importance of the message being delivered. In biblical times, hearing was a primary means of receiving information, as literacy was not widespread. The phrase suggests that the message is accessible to all who are willing to listen and understand. It implies a universal call, as everyone physically has ears, but not all are spiritually receptive. This echoes the Shema in
Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel," which calls for attentive listening and obedience to God's commandments.
let him hear
This is an exhortation to not only hear but to understand and act upon the message. It implies a deeper level of listening that goes beyond mere auditory reception to spiritual comprehension and obedience. This phrase is used by Jesus in several parables (e.g.,Matthew 13:9,Mark 4:9) to emphasize the need for discernment and responsiveness to spiritual truths. It reflects the prophetic tradition where hearing is linked to obedience (Isaiah 6:9-10). The call to hear is a call to transformation, urging listeners to align their lives with the teachings of Jesus.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowds and His disciples, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment.
2.
John the BaptistIn the context of
Matthew 11, Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist, affirming his role as the forerunner to the Messiah.
3.
The CrowdsThe audience to whom Jesus is speaking, representing the broader population of Israel who are witnessing His ministry.
4.
The DisciplesFollowers of Jesus who are present and learning from His teachings, representing those who are committed to understanding and applying His words.
5.
The Kingdom of HeavenA central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing the reign and rule of God, which requires spiritual insight to understand and enter.
Teaching Points
Spiritual DiscernmentJesus calls for more than just physical hearing; He desires a deep, spiritual understanding and responsiveness to His message.
Active ListeningBelievers are encouraged to actively engage with God's Word, seeking to understand and apply it in their lives.
Responsiveness to God's CallThe phrase "He who has ears, let him hear" is a call to action, urging believers to respond to God's message with obedience and faith.
The Importance of Prophetic FulfillmentUnderstanding the role of John the Baptist and Jesus' ministry requires recognizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
The Kingdom of HeavenBelievers are called to seek and understand the Kingdom of Heaven, which requires a heart open to God's truth and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 11:15?
2.How can we apply "He who has ears, let him hear" in daily life?
3.What does Matthew 11:15 teach about spiritual receptiveness and discernment?
4.How does Matthew 11:15 connect with Jesus' teachings in Matthew 13:9?
5.Why is active listening important for understanding God's message in Matthew 11:15?
6.How can we encourage others to heed Jesus' call in Matthew 11:15?
7.What does "He who has ears, let him hear" mean in Matthew 11:15?
8.How does Matthew 11:15 challenge our understanding of spiritual perception?
9.Why is the phrase "let him hear" significant in biblical teachings?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 11?
11.Are you truly listening to God's guidance?
12.Are you truly listening to God's guidance?
13.What does the Bible say about minding your business?
14.Is Jesus contradicting established Jewish laws by declaring that eating with unwashed hands does not defile a person (Matthew 15:1-11)?What Does Matthew 11:15 Mean
He• The single pronoun starts the invitation with personal focus; Jesus turns from speaking about crowds (Matthew 11:7–14) to addressing each listener individually.
• Scripture frequently shifts from broad teaching to personal appeal—“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish” (John 3:16).
• By saying “He,” the Lord underscores individual accountability before God (Ezekiel 18:20;Romans 14:12).
who has ears• Nearly everyone possesses physical ears, so the phrase signals a universal call. Yet more is implied than biology;Proverbs 20:12 reminds us, “Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both.”
• Jesus suggests that having ears is God-given equipment for perceiving truth, yet people may still ignore what they hear (Jeremiah 6:10).
• The expression also hints at spiritual capacity: “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14), meaning some ears are open while others remain closed.
let him hear• “Hear” in Scripture often carries the sense of heed, obey, and respond—“Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
• Jesus is urging decisive action. In the immediate context He has just identified John the Baptist as the promised Elijah and Himself as Messiah; failure to “hear” has eternal consequences (Matthew 11:14–19;Hebrews 2:1–3).
• Similar refrains punctuate Revelation: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7), stressing ongoing responsiveness for believers.
• Faith itself springs from such attentive hearing: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
summaryMatthew 11:15 compresses a sweeping invitation into one short command. Every person (“He”) equipped by God with the faculty to listen (“who has ears”) is summoned to receive, believe, and obey the revealed word about Christ (“let him hear”). The verse draws a line between mere auditory contact and heartfelt acceptance, reminding us that real hearing transforms the listener’s life and destiny.
(15)
He that hath ears to hear.--The formula, which meets us here for the first time, is one which our Lord seems to have used habitually after any teaching, in parable or otherwise (
Matthew 13:9;
Mark 4:9), which required more than ordinary powers of thought to comprehend. To take in the new aspect of the coming of Elijah required an insight like that which men needed to take in, without an interpreter, the meaning of the parable of the Sower.
Verse 15. -
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. A solemn exhortation, often spoken by our Lord at the close of an utterance. See
Matthew 13:9 (equivalent to
Mark 4:9), 43;
Mark 4:23;
Luke 14:35 (comp.
Mark 8:18;
Luke 9:44;
Revelation 2. and 3; 13:9). It means - You are all formed by nature to learn God's commands; answer, therefore, to your powers, and obey him. See
Psalm 40:6 (cf.
Hebrews 10:5).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
He whoὉ(Ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.hasἔχων(echōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.ears,ὦτα(ōta)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3775:(a) the ear, (b) met: the faculty of perception. Apparently a primary word; the ear.let him hear.ἀκουέτω(akouetō)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear let (Matt. Mat Mt) 
