In Matthew 13:9, Jesus says a curious thing.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Matthew 13:9 (NIV)

Jesus said this after telling a parable. What did he mean by it? Most people have ears, and while some people cannot hear, either because they were born unable to hear or something happened to cause hearing loss, I cannot imagine that Jesus is saying that only talking about people who can hear in this verse. Surely, Jesus isn’t saying that only those with hearing should hear his parable. 

Fortunately, in verses 13-15, Jesus gives us more insight into what he was talking about in verse 9.

“This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘ You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'” (emphasis added)

Matthew 13:13-15 (NIV)

We see in these verses that Jesus isn’t talking about literal hearing. Therefore, those who are deaf aren’t excluded from understanding. Many might hear Jesus’ parables and not understand them. Some because they don’t care to understand and others because they’re not paying attention. In either case, Jesus reveals that the state of one’s heart determines understanding. Hence, his reference to Isaiah and “calloused” hearts. Furthermore, Jesus clarifies this issue by saying they “hardly hear with their ears, and have closed their eyes,” demonstrating a desire to ignore or disregard what has been said.

Finally, in verse 15, Jesus reveals that those who do hear and understand will be healed. The healing Jesus is referring to isn’t physical. Instead, it’s spiritual, as revealed in Isaiah 53.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Those who desire to understand the message are the ones with ears to hear and eyes to understand. Indeed, the desire to understand comes from the heart, which is why hearts hardened by pride choose not to listen. Those with ears to hear and understand the gospel message are saved, and in their salvation, the relationship with God that was damaged when Adam and Eve sinned is restored.