Matthew 13:17 - For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 13:17" mean?
This verse, Matthew 13:17, is part of Jesus' explanation of the parable of the sower to his disciples. It essentially means that the disciples are incredibly privileged to witness Jesus' ministry and teachings directly. Let's break it down:
"For most certainly I tell you...": This phrase emphasizes the truth and importance of what Jesus is about to say.
"...that many prophets and righteous men...": Jesus is referring to figures from the Old Testament – individuals known for their devotion to God, their righteousness, and often their prophetic abilities (like Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.).
"...desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them...": These prophets longed to witness the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of God's kingdom, and the miracles that Jesus performed. They had glimpses of it through prophecy and visions, but they didn't experience it firsthand. The "things which you see" refers to Jesus' miracles, his teachings, and his very presence among them.
"...and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.": Similarly, these righteous figures yearned to hear the true teachings of God directly from the Messiah, the profound truths about the kingdom of heaven that Jesus was revealing. They might have heard interpretations or prophecies, but they didn't hear the actual words of the Messiah.
In essence, the verse highlights the unique blessing and opportunity that the disciples had: They were living in the time when the long-awaited Messiah had arrived, and they were direct witnesses to his ministry. They were experiencing something that many holy and devoted people before them had only dreamed of.
The implications of this verse are significant:
Privilege and Responsibility: The disciples' privileged position came with a responsibility. Because they had seen and heard so much, they were expected to understand and act upon it, to share the good news with others.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The verse underscores the idea that Jesus' coming was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It connects Jesus to the rich history of Israel and confirms his role as the Messiah.
A Call to Appreciation: It encourages readers (then and now) to recognize the extraordinary nature of Jesus' ministry and the gift of salvation he offers. It's a reminder to be grateful for the blessings we have and to use them wisely.
Application to Today: While we don't literally see Jesus perform miracles today, the verse can be applied to our access to scripture and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. We have access to a deeper understanding of God than many before us and are called to live accordingly.
In short, Matthew 13:17 is a powerful statement about the special blessings afforded to those who directly encountered Jesus and his ministry, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the accompanying responsibilities that come with such privilege.
Matthew 13:17 - For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.
What does "Matthew 13:17" mean?
This verse, Matthew 13:17, is part of Jesus' explanation of the parable of the sower to his disciples. It essentially means that the disciples are incredibly privileged to witness Jesus' ministry and teachings directly. Let's break it down:
"For most certainly I tell you...": This phrase emphasizes the truth and importance of what Jesus is about to say.
"...that many prophets and righteous men...": Jesus is referring to figures from the Old Testament – individuals known for their devotion to God, their righteousness, and often their prophetic abilities (like Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.).
"...desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them...": These prophets longed to witness the coming of the Messiah, the establishment of God's kingdom, and the miracles that Jesus performed. They had glimpses of it through prophecy and visions, but they didn't experience it firsthand. The "things which you see" refers to Jesus' miracles, his teachings, and his very presence among them.
"...and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.": Similarly, these righteous figures yearned to hear the true teachings of God directly from the Messiah, the profound truths about the kingdom of heaven that Jesus was revealing. They might have heard interpretations or prophecies, but they didn't hear the actual words of the Messiah.
In essence, the verse highlights the unique blessing and opportunity that the disciples had: They were living in the time when the long-awaited Messiah had arrived, and they were direct witnesses to his ministry. They were experiencing something that many holy and devoted people before them had only dreamed of.
The implications of this verse are significant:
Privilege and Responsibility: The disciples' privileged position came with a responsibility. Because they had seen and heard so much, they were expected to understand and act upon it, to share the good news with others.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: The verse underscores the idea that Jesus' coming was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. It connects Jesus to the rich history of Israel and confirms his role as the Messiah.
A Call to Appreciation: It encourages readers (then and now) to recognize the extraordinary nature of Jesus' ministry and the gift of salvation he offers. It's a reminder to be grateful for the blessings we have and to use them wisely.
Application to Today: While we don't literally see Jesus perform miracles today, the verse can be applied to our access to scripture and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. We have access to a deeper understanding of God than many before us and are called to live accordingly.
In short, Matthew 13:17 is a powerful statement about the special blessings afforded to those who directly encountered Jesus and his ministry, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the accompanying responsibilities that come with such privilege.