Matthew 13:14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

◄ Matthew 13:14 ►

New International Version
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “’You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

New Living Translation
This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.

English Standard Version
Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

Berean Standard Bible
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

Berean Literal Bible
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, saying: 'In hearing you will hear and never understand; and in seeing you will see and never perceive.

King James Bible
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

New King James Version
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive;

New American Standard Bible
And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU SHALL KEEP ON LISTENING, BUT SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU SHALL KEEP ON LOOKING, BUT SHALL NOT PERCEIVE;

NASB 1995
“In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

NASB 1977
“And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

Legacy Standard Bible
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

Amplified Bible
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL HEAR and KEEP ON HEARING, BUT NEVER UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL LOOK and KEEP ON LOOKING, BUT NEVER COMPREHEND;

Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, but never understand; you will look and look, but never perceive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive.

American Standard Version
And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

Contemporary English Version
So God's promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had said, "These people will listen and listen, but never understand. They will look and look, but never see.

English Revised Version
And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they make Isaiah's prophecy come true: 'You will hear clearly but never understand. You will see clearly but never comprehend.

Good News Translation
So the prophecy of Isaiah applies to them: 'This people will listen and listen, but not understand; they will look and look, but not see,

International Standard Version
"With them the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says: 'You will listen and listen but never understand. You will look and look but never comprehend,

Majority Standard Bible
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ?You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

NET Bible
And concerning them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: 'You will listen carefully yet will never understand, you will look closely yet will never comprehend.

New Heart English Bible
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 'In hearing you will hear, but will not understand, and seeing you will see, but not perceive.

Webster's Bible Translation
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

Weymouth New Testament
And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "'You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see.

World English Bible
In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, ‘By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and fulfilled on them is the prophecy of Isaiah that says, With hearing you will hear, and you will not understand, and seeing you will see, and you will not perceive,

Berean Literal Bible
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, saying: 'In hearing you will hear and never understand; and in seeing you will see and never perceive.

Young's Literal Translation
and fulfilled on them is the prophecy of Isaiah, that saith, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the prophecy of Esaias is filled up in them, saying, In hearing shall ye hear, and not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who saith: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, who said, ‘Hearing, you shall hear, but not understand; and seeing, you shall see, but not perceive.

New American Bible
Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: ‘You shall indeed hear but not understand, you shall indeed look but never see.

New Revised Standard Version
With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: ‘You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah who said, Hearing you will hear, but you will not understand; and seeing you will see, but you will not know.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled in them, which says, 'Hearing you will hear, and you will not understand, and seeing you will see and you will not know.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
And in them is fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah, which says: You shall surely hear, and you will not understand; and you shall surely see, and you will not perceive.

Godbey New Testament
And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled unto them, saying, By hearing ye shall hear, and may not understand; and seeing you shall see, and may not perceive.

Haweis New Testament
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, With the hearing ye shall hear, and not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and in no wise perceive:

Mace New Testament
and in them is fulfilled that prophecy of Esaias, "by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.

Weymouth New Testament
And in regard to them the prophecy of Isaiah is receiving signal fulfilment: "'You will hear and hear and by no means understand, and you will look and look and by no means see.

Worrell New Testament
And to them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, 'With hearing ye will hear, and will not understand; and, seeing, ye will see, and will not perceive;

Worsley New Testament
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, Ye shall hear by the hearing of the ear, and not understand; and in seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is grown stupid,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Purpose of Jesus' Parables
…13This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Acts 28:25-27
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: / ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

John 12:39-40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Mark 4:12
so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’”

Luke 8:10
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

Romans 11:8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

Isaiah 44:18
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

2 Corinthians 3:14-15
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

Hebrews 5:11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.

Psalm 115:5-6
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;

Psalm 135:16-17
They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.

Treasury of Scripture

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which said, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:

the prophecy.

Isaiah 6:9,10
And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not…

Ezekiel 12:2
Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.

Mark 4:12
That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

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Matthew 13

1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.

Berean Study Bible

In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled
This phrase indicates the fulfillment of a specific prophecy from the Old Testament, highlighting the continuity and divine orchestration of Scripture. The prophecy referenced is from Isaiah 6:9-10, which speaks to the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people. The Greek word for "fulfilled" is "πληρόω" (plēroō), meaning to complete or bring to realization. This fulfillment underscores the sovereignty of God in His redemptive plan, as the words spoken by Isaiah centuries earlier find their completion in the ministry of Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the reliability and authority of Scripture, as God's word does not return void but accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:11).

You will be ever hearing but never understanding
This part of the prophecy speaks to a persistent condition of hearing without comprehension. The Greek word for "hearing" is "ἀκούω" (akouō), which implies not just the act of hearing but the opportunity to listen and respond. However, the lack of "understanding," from the Greek "συνίημι" (syniēmi), suggests a failure to grasp or internalize the message. This reflects a spiritual condition where the truth is presented, yet the heart remains hardened. Historically, this was evident in the response of many of the Jewish leaders and people to Jesus' teachings. It serves as a cautionary note for all believers to not only hear the Word but to seek understanding through the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving
The phrase continues the theme of spiritual insensitivity, where seeing does not lead to perception. The Greek word for "seeing" is "βλέπω" (blepō), which means to look at or behold. However, "perceiving," from the Greek "ὁράω" (horaō), involves a deeper insight or discernment. This dichotomy illustrates the difference between physical sight and spiritual insight. In the historical context, many witnessed Jesus' miracles and teachings yet failed to recognize Him as the Messiah. This serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of spiritual discernment, which comes from a heart open to God's revelation. It challenges believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, where seeing leads to true understanding and transformation.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) In them is fulfilled.--The Greek verb expresses complete fulfilment, but the tense is that of a work still in progress. The prominence given to these words of Isaiah's in the New Testament is very noticeable. Our Lord quotes them here, St. John in John 12:40. St. Paul cites them in Acts 28:26. The quotation is from the LXX. version. It is as though the words which sounded at the very opening of Isaiah's prophecy as the knell of the nation's life, dwelt on the minds of the Master and His disciples, and prepared them for the seeming fruitlessness and hopelessness of their work.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - And in them; and unto them (Revised Version); i.e. with reference to them (cf. Jude 1:14). Is fulfilled. Completely (ἀναπληροῦται; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:16). The present, because the process is still going on. The prophecy of Esaias, which saith (Isaiah 6:9, 10). Not quoted in this form in the parallel passages; for Mark 4:12 and Luke 8:10 are really nearer our ver. 13. The quotation is taken verbally from the LXX., and so in Acts 28:26, 27. But John 12:40, on the contrary, is nearer the Hebrew. By hearing ye shall hear (ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε). A too literal translation of the Greek attempt to reproduce the Hebrew idiom, which is rather "hear ye indeed" as a continued action (שמעו שמוע). And shall not understand (Matthew 11:25, note); and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. You may gaze at the object, but you shall not really see it. So with the bodily eye, an image may be formed in the retina, yet no impression conveyed to the brain.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

In them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

the
ἡ (hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

prophecy
προφητεία (prophēteia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4394: Prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. From prophetes; prediction.

of Isaiah
Ἠσαΐου (Ēsaiou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2268: Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.

is fulfilled:
ἀναπληροῦται (anaplēroutai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 378: From ana and pleroo; to complete; by implication, to occupy, supply; figuratively, to accomplish.

‘You will be ever hearing
ἀκούσετε (akousete)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

never
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

understanding;
συνῆτε (synēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4920: To consider, understand, perceive. From sun and hiemi; to put together, i.e. to comprehend; by implication, to act piously.

you will be ever seeing
βλέψετε (blepsete)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

never
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

perceiving.
ἴδητε (idēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

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