Matthew 13:17 Meaning and Explanation
“For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus tells the disciples that prophets and righteous people longed to witness what they now see and hear.
What Does Matthew 13:17 Mean?
With the solemn word verily, Jesus underscores the privilege of His disciples. Generations of prophets and righteous men, faithful saints of old, yearned to behold the very things now unfolding before the disciples' eyes, yet they lived and died in hope without seeing them.
The disciples stand at the meeting point of ancient longing and present fulfillment. The Christ whom prophets glimpsed from afar is now walking, teaching, and present among them. The verse fills the reader with wonder at the privilege of knowing Christ, a gift treasured across the ages, and quietly calls us not to take lightly what so many longed even from a distance to see.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 13:17
What does Matthew 13:17 mean?
Jesus tells the disciples that prophets and righteous people longed to witness what they now see and hear.