On Mon, 22 Jan 2001 14:44:30 -0500 "Theodore Mann" writes: > hO ECWN WTA AKOUETW (Mt. 11:15). > > I've always thought this meant something > like: "Let those who have the spiritual capacity to understand use > that capacity to grasp the significance of what is being > said." However, it seems to me that > some versions (e.g., Phillips, CEV, TEV) make it sound > more like: "If you have ears on your head, use > them!" Where does the actual meaning lie; somewhere between > these two extremes? The phrase occurs in Mt 11:15, then in parallel passages in Mt 13:9, 43; Mk 4:9, 23; and Lk 8:8. Finally, it occurs in Lk 14:35. The parallel passages deal with the parable of the sower and the seed. In each case it concludes the parable. The disciples then immediately ask, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" The answer of Jesus is this: To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted" (Mt 13:10-11). Clearly here, hO ECWN WTA AKOUETW must be explained as meaning that some have been given ears to hear and some have not. Does this hold us in the other two passages? In Mt 11:15 the immediately preceding verse says, "if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come." It looks like only those who are willing to accept it are the ones who have an ear to hear. Clearly, no all were willing to accept it and did not have ears to hear. In the final passage, Lk 14:35, there does not appear to be a specific indication, as such, that only some had ears to hear. Yet, it does immediately follow some of the most difficult to understand teachings of Christ wherein He says such things as: he who does not hate his own father and mother ... even his own life ... does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be My disciple .... so none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions." In all the passages there seems to be an indication that not everybody has an ear to hear. The teachings of Christ, not only in parabolic form but even in more explicit form as in Lk 14:35, can not be understood unless an ear has been given so they can hear and understand. This appears to be the reason Jesus said, hO ECWN WTA AKOUETW. Paul Dixon --- B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [jwrobie@mindspring.com] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-327Q@franklin.oit.unc.edu To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu