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Explanation for:
Matthew
11
:
15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The phrase, “If ye would know, he is Elijah,” holds a profound mystery that requires careful interpretation, as indicated by the Lord's subsequent message: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Had the intent been straightforward and the meaning apparent, there would have been no need for preparation in understanding it. Thus, John is referred to as Elijah, not in the manner proposed by certain heretics and irrational philosophers who advocate the notion of soul transmigration, but rather in the context that, as stated in another Gospel account (Luke 1:17; Matt. 17:12), he will arrive in the spirit and power of Elijah, meaning he would possess a similar measure of the Holy Spirit's grace. Both Elijah and John exhibit comparable rigor and restraint in their lifestyles. Each resided in the wilderness, both wearing a leather belt, paralleling one another in their austere existence. While Elijah fled due to his denunciations of King Ahab and the wickedness of Jezebel (1 Kings 19), John suffered execution for condemning Herod's unlawful union with Herodias. The belief that John is identified as Elijah stems from the prophecy of Malachi, which foretold Elijah's return before the second coming of the Savior, just as John heralded the first arrival: each serves as a precursor to the Lord's manifestations.\\n\\nJohn is referred to in accordance with the cryptic statement from Scripture in Malachi (Mal. 4:5) as the Elijah who must come—not implying that Elijah and John are manifestations of the same soul, as heretics might argue, but highlighting that John shared in the same grace of the Holy Spirit, donned a similar belt, lived a life in the wilderness akin to Elijah's, and faced persecution from Herodias just as Elijah had from Jezebel. In this way, as the first Elijah awaited the second, John not only welcomed the Lord and Savior in the flesh in the wilderness but also in his mother’s womb, announcing Him through the joyful movements of his body."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Saviour did not pause in His teachings; rather, He aimed to highlight the importance of the phrase, ‘This is Elijah who is to come,’ by adding, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 11:15)!’ He presented numerous complex ideas that were intended to stir the Jewish audience to inquire further. If these challenging thoughts did not rouse them from their complacency, surely the straightforward and clear words of the Saviour would be even less effective. No one could honestly claim they felt too intimidated to approach Him with their questions. Even if they posed trivial inquiries despite countless rebukes from Him, they still followed Him closely. Why then did they refrain from seeking answers on more vital matters if they truly desired to understand? They freely asked about the law, such as what constituted the first commandment, though these queries were often unnecessary. Thus, how could they overlook the opportunity to seek clarity on His profound teachings, especially when He encouraged such dialogue? Indeed, through phrases like ‘needy women delight,’ the Saviour stirs within them a yearning to ask Him questions. Similarly, by stating, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,’ He fosters that very same curiosity."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He refers to spiritual ears, for all the listeners possessed physical ears. He asserts, \\"Whoever has ears to understand, let him comprehend what is conveyed,\\" meaning that John is the Elijah foretold. This was enigmatic, demonstrating that John was indeed Elijah while also affirming the arrival of Christ. By proclaiming, \\"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,\\" He encouraged them to seek understanding of what appeared to be a mystery."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR! He who possesses a clear conscience, let him heed what it declares! With this statement, a familiar refrain among Jewish teachers, the Lord completed His commendation of His Forerunner. Luke, the evangelist, notes that everyone who heard the Savior, including tax collectors, glorified God and received John's baptism. In contrast, the Pharisees and legal experts dismissed God's purpose, choosing not to be baptized by him. The people and tax collectors grasped the Lord's message regarding John and praised God for their accurate understanding of him, allowing them to partake in his baptism of repentance. Let us also express our gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to experience spiritual renewal and sanctification through the gracious Sacraments of the Orthodox Church, while contemporary Pharisees and scribes—various misleading wise teachers—reject these Sacraments as if they hold no significance for salvation. If the Baptism of John, which lacked the divine grace to regenerate individuals and merely prepared them for repentance, was essential for entering the Kingdom of God, what tremendous arrogance it must take to disregard the Holy Sacraments of our Orthodox faith, instituted by the Lord Himself and entrusted to the Church!"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The phrase \\"He that hath ears\\" is frequently employed by the Lord. It appears to have been a well-known saying among the rabbinical teachers, indicating that listeners ought to pay close attention to the words surrounding this phrase. Given the significance the Lord placed on His remarks concerning John, He ends this discussion with a plea for careful listening: \\"Let the one among you who can discern the significance of certain occurrences and individuals, which remain ambiguous to many, be attentive, let him focus, and strive to understand!\\""},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When Jesus spoke of John as the final prophet, He referenced a widely held belief among the Jews of the time regarding the return of the prophet Elijah before the Messiah's arrival. Malachi prophesied, “I will send Elijah the prophet to you before the coming of the day of the Lord, great and terrible” (Malachi 4:5). This prophecy unmistakably pertains to that significant and fearful day when the ultimate judgment of humanity will take place, namely, the Second Coming of Christ. Malachi foretold that John would serve as an angelic messenger who would prepare the path for the Lord, clarifying that this messenger would not be Elijah himself, but would come in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). This revelation was conveyed to John's father, the priest Zacharias, by the archangel Gabriel. The expectation of Elijah's imminent return was profoundly strong; however, with John's appearance, prophetic voices had ceased, indicating that Elijah would not come at that time. Thus, for the Jews who clung to this misconception, recognizing Elijah in John was essential for accepting Jesus as the Messiah. Therefore, Jesus declared to them, If you take seriously Malachi's prophecy regarding Elijah's coming before the Messiah, understand that the one who is to precede the Messiah has already arrived in the spirit and power of Elijah; acknowledge him as Elijah if you are to accept him as a genuine messenger of God, preparing the way for the Lord."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After the departure of John's disciples, the Savior addressed the crowd and offered the utmost commendation that one could bestow upon a man. “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This indicates that despite John's exceptional stature as a prophet of the Old Testament, any individual who directly listens to Christ and authentically embraces faith in Him possesses a greater claim to enter the new kingdom than even this esteemed prophet, who served as a forerunner like a new Elijah announcing the arrival of the kingdom. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” the Savior concluded with solemnity in His profound remarks regarding John."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the writings of Moses and the prophets, there was a clear preparation for the arrival of the Messiah. John marked the conclusion of the Old Testament era, affirming that, as the Lord indicated, 'do not stretch your hopes far away and do not expect another; if everything was fulfilled before John, then I am the coming one.' John the Baptist was not the fulfillment of the law and the prophets; rather, he served as the Forerunner of Christ, empowered by the spirit and fervor reminiscent of the great prophet Elijah. The prophet Malachi had prophesied the arrival of Elijah prior to the notable day of the Lord, leading the Jewish people to interpret his words literally and to anticipate the return of Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet before the Messiah’s arrival. Jesus highlighted John as this Elijah, urging the people to be attentive to what was proclaimed about him, declaring: He who has ears to hear, let him hear."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and those who proclaim the good news are seizing it (Luke 16:16). The term βιάζομαι conveys the idea of employing force or intensity. It is clear that this word is not intended as a rebuke because (a) Luke substitutes it with the term evangelized, and (b) the marginalized are welcomed into the kingdom of God—a state of rapture. Consequently, this refers to the spiritual journey toward the kingdom of God that has been unfolding since John's ministry. This phrase highlights both the challenges faced by the Jews in Christ's time due to their limited understanding of the Messiah and His kingdom, as well as the moral effort needed to transcend these barriers. All the prophets and the Law up to John prophesied about what was required to prepare the people for the Messiah; thus, the evangelization of the Messianic kingdom and the people's yearning for it began with John. Indeed, John can be seen as Elijah, who must come into the world, if one is willing to accept this truth, since he is not merely the ancient Elijah resurrected."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"His actions and words were an exact reflection of the prophecies concerning the forerunner of the Messiah. Following the example of the prophet Elijah, with whom he shared both zeal and appearance, he echoed the same calls to repentance, predictions regarding the Messiah, and warnings of impending judgment that characterized the words of the prophets who had outlined his mission. Did he speak of the impending wrath? Indeed, this was forewarned by God through Malachi: “And behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). John urged, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance... otherwise the axe is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” This vivid imagery resonates with Malachi's prophecy: “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble; and the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).\\n\\nJohn proclaimed, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.” His declarations strongly echoed Malachi's prophecy: “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple” (Malachi 3:1). John further stated, “He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Malachi also addressed this theme of purification and the separation of the righteous: “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2-3). For the wicked, He will be a consuming fire (Malachi 4:1). While these references primarily pertain to the Messiah's second coming, it is clear that His initial arrival was merely a precursor to a fuller revelation of His mission."}]}
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