There is a curious phrase that appears repeatedly in the Synoptic Gospels, one that seems remarkably relevant to a salient problem in society today: “Those with ears to hear, let them hear.”
Jesus uses variations of this expression throughout his teaching, often at the conclusion of a parable. It invites us to lean into his words, moving beyond merely hearing sounds to understanding their deeper meaning. Jesus is calling his listeners to hear with an open mind, an open heart, and an open spirit.
True listening is more than auditory reception. It requires a willingness to receive what is being said, to wrestle with it, and even to be changed by the truth we encounter. Having “ears to hear” describes a posture of spiritual and moral openness.
This ancient admonition is especially relevant now. Sociologists and other researchers have documented that people inhabit echo chambers, silos of information that reinforce existing beliefs, prejudices, and perceptions of the world. Digital algorithms intensify this by repeatedly presenting us with information that corresponds to our previous interests and preferences.
Over time, we become increasingly insulated from perspectives that challenge our assumptions. The danger is not simply that we disagree with one another.
Disagreement is inevitable in a pluralistic society and can even be constructive. The greater danger is that we may lose the capacity to truly hear one another.
We listen only long enough to formulate a rebuttal, dismissing ideas before considering them. We confuse certainty with wisdom and become so entrenched in our own perspectives that genuine dialogue becomes nearly impossible.
How, then, do we break free from the echo chambers that continually reinforce our own opinions and proclivities? We must recover the discipline of intentional listening.
Intentional listening means doing more than hearing the sounds of another person’s words. It means probing beneath the surface to find understanding.
It requires humility, the willingness to say, “Perhaps there is something here that I have not considered. Perhaps your experience can teach me something. Perhaps I do not possess the whole truth.”
Such humility does not require us to abandon our convictions, nor does listening imply agreement. It does mean taking another human being seriously enough to understand what they are actually saying before rendering judgment.
In this sense, intentional listening reflects Paul’s admonition: “In humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). It requires us, at least for a moment, to set aside the impulse to defend ourselves and make room for another person’s experience and perspective.
This is why Jesus’ words remain so profoundly relevant. In an age overflowing with information but increasingly impoverished in genuine understanding, his ancient summons speaks to us with renewed urgency: “Those with ears to hear, let them hear.”
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Donald E. Williams is a United Methodist pastor and Duke University graduate. He completed his doctorate at Duke University in 2022 and is the author of An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Aristotelian Eudaimonia and Christian Discipleship: A Thomistic Perspective, Wipf and Stock Publishers. His website is https://www.virtuespromise.com/.
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