And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:

MATTHEW 15:10KJV
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Matthew 15:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 15:10 mean?

Matthew 15:10 shows Jesus bringing the crowd into a discussion that had begun with religious teachers. He calls for their careful attention because he is about to explain a distinction about what makes a person unclean.

The command “Hear, and understand” prepares the crowd for the statement that follows in verse 11. Jesus has just challenged the teachers’ practice of placing their inherited rules above God’s command.

The Greek behind Matthew 15:10

  • “called” — προσκαλέω (proskaleō): This word carries the sense of calling someone to come near. Jesus gathers the crowd as listeners before speaking to them.
  • “understand” — συνίημι (syniēmi): The word carries the sense of grasping or making sense of something. Jesus asks the crowd to do more than simply hear the sounds of his words.

Why Matthew 15:10 matters

  • The crowd is included in a dispute that began with a question about the disciples. Earlier, the teachers had asked Jesus why his disciples ate without following the customary handwashing practice.
  • Jesus prepares listeners for a distinction between food and speech. In verse 11, he contrasts what goes into a person’s mouth with what comes out of it.
  • The meaning was not immediately clear to everyone present. In verse 15, Peter asks Jesus to explain the saying.

Where else these words appear

“understand” Greek G4920 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
  • Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
  • Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

“called” Greek G4341 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.