Mark 4:23

Mark 4:23

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

a. NLT: Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

b. NIV: If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

c. YLT: If any hath ears to hear -- let him hear.'

d. Amplified Bible:  If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.

e. Worrell Translation: If any man has ears to hear, let him hear”

1. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

a. if any man [1536 * ei tis] [Strong:  from 1487 and 5100; if any:--he that, if a(-ny) man('s thing, from any, ought), whether any, whosoever.]

b. have [2192 * echo] [Strong: including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

c. ears [3775 * ous] [Strong: apparently a primary word; the ear (physically or mentally):--ear.]

d. to hear [191 * akouo] [Strong: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.]

e. let him hear [191 * akouo] See “to hear” above.

1). My guess is that the majority of people listening to Jesus during this teaching had physical ears and could hear, but Jesus wasn’t talking about physical ears or hearing with them. Jesus was referring to spiritual hears and hearing with our spirit.

a). Isaiah 50:4, 5 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

1). We have spiritual senses.

a).Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

b). Isaiah 55:1, 2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

2). Through sin and disobedience we can harden our heart and lose them.

a). 1 John 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

b). 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.

6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

c). Matthew 13:13-15 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

13:14 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:

13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

d). Acts 28:24-27 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

28:27   For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.