Eyes to See and Ears to Hear
The phrase “eyes to see and ears to hear” is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. It is more than a poetic expression; it is a profound theological concept that addresses the human capacity–and often, the failure–to perceive and respond to divine revelation. This article will explore the biblical meaning of this phrase, its roots in the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, its use by Jesus in the Gospels, and its implications for spiritual discernment.
The Old Testament Background
The motif of “eyes to see and ears to hear” is deeply rooted in the prophetic tradition of Israel. The prophets frequently lamented the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people of Israel, who, despite witnessing God’s mighty acts and hearing his word, remained unresponsive and rebellious.
One of the earliest and most significant uses of this motif is found in the commissioning of the prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 6:9-10, God commands Isaiah:
“Go, and say to this people:
‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’
Make the heart of this people dull,
and their ears heavy,
and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
(Isaiah 6:9-10)
Here, the inability to see and hear is not a physical deficiency but a spiritual one. The people of Israel are described as having functioning senses, yet they are unable–or unwilling–to perceive the truth of God’s message. This spiritual insensitivity is both a judgment and a consequence of persistent rebellion.
The theme recurs in other prophetic texts. In Ezekiel 12:2, God says: “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.”
This language underscores the tragic irony that those who are most privileged to receive God’s revelation are often the least responsive to it. The prophets, therefore, call for a deeper kind of seeing and hearing–a spiritual perception that leads to repentance and obedience.
What Does it Mean to Have Eyes to See and Ears to Hear?
To have “eyes to see and ears to hear” in the biblical sense is to possess a heart that is open and responsive to God’s revelation. It is the capacity to discern spiritual truth, to recognize the work of God in history and in one’s own life, and to respond in faith and obedience.
This theme is not limited to the Old Testament. Jesus frequently employs the phrase in his teaching, particularly in the context of parables. In Matthew 13:13-16, Jesus explains to his disciples why he speaks in parables:
“This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 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.
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”
Here, Jesus draws directly from Isaiah 6, applying the prophetic critique to his own generation. The parables function as both revelation and concealment: they reveal truth to those who are open to it, but conceal it from those who are hardened. The ability to “see” and “hear” is thus a gift and a responsibility; it is given by God, but it must also be received with humility and faith.
Mark 4:12 and the Purpose of Parables
In Mark 4:12, Jesus says, quoting Isaiah: “so that ’they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.'”
This statement has puzzled many readers. Is Jesus deliberately hiding the truth? In context, Jesus is not arbitrarily withholding salvation but is highlighting the reality that persistent unbelief leads to spiritual blindness. The parables are a form of judgment for those who have already rejected God’s revelation, but they are also an invitation to deeper understanding for those who are willing to seek. As Paul later writes, “the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing”
Isaiah 43:19 is another passage that calls for spiritual perception:
“Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.”
Here, God announces a new act of salvation, reminiscent of the exodus but surpassing it in scope. The “new thing” is God’s promise to restore his people from exile, to bring life and hope where there was only desolation. The rhetorical question, “do you not perceive it?” challenges the hearers to recognize the signs of God’s redemptive work. It is a call to spiritual attentiveness, to discern the unfolding purposes of God even in unexpected ways.
Isaiah 60:22: “In Its Time I Will Hasten It”
Isaiah 60:22 reads:
“The least one shall become a clan,
and the smallest one a mighty nation;
I am the Lord;
in its time I will hasten it.”
This verse is part of a larger vision of Zion’s future glory. The promise is that God will multiply and exalt his people, transforming their weakness into strength. The phrase “in its time I will hasten it” emphasizes God’s sovereignty over history. He will bring about his purposes at the appointed time, and when that time comes, he will act swiftly. To have “eyes to see” in this context is to trust in God’s timing and to recognize that his promises, though delayed, are certain.
Spiritual Blindness and the Human Condition
The recurring theme of spiritual blindness and deafness in Scripture is not merely an ancient problem; it is a universal human condition. Sin hardens the heart and dulls the senses, making us resistant to God’s truth. As Paul writes in Romans 11:8, quoting Isaiah and Deuteronomy:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that would not see
and ears that would not hear,
down to this very day.”
Yet, the good news of the gospel is that God, through Christ, opens blind eyes and unstops deaf ears. Jesus fulfills the messianic hope of Isaiah 35:5: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” His ministry is marked by both physical healings and the deeper miracle of spiritual awakening.
The Call to Respond
The biblical call to have “eyes to see and ears to hear” is ultimately a call to repentance and faith. It is an invitation to turn from self-reliance and hardness of heart, to receive the revelation of God in Christ, and to walk in obedience. As Jesus says in Revelation 3:22, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
This call is not merely for the initial act of faith but for ongoing spiritual growth. Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus, “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:18). Spiritual perception is both a gift and a discipline, cultivated through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and openness to the Spirit.
Conclusion - Eyes to See, Ears to Hear
To have “eyes to see and ears to hear” is to be spiritually receptive, discerning, and responsive to God’s revelation. It is to recognize the hand of God in history, to perceive the new things he is doing, and to trust in his promises even when fulfillment seems delayed. The biblical witness is clear: spiritual perception is not automatic; it requires humility, faith, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. May we heed the call of Scripture, open our eyes and ears, and respond to the living God who speaks and acts for our salvation.