καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ὄχλον εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἀκούετε καὶ συνίετε
In Matthew 15:10, Jesus turns from confrontation with the Pharisees to address the gathered crowd directly. The Greek text captures both a shift in focus and a summons to deeper spiritual comprehension. The structure is tight and imperative—this is not a suggestion, but a command to perceive rightly.
Grammatical Foundations
καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ὄχλον—“And calling the crowd to himself.” The verb προσκαλεσάμενος is an aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular, from προσκαλέομαι—“to summon” or “call toward oneself.” It modifies the implied subject (Jesus) and indicates the preliminary action before he speaks.
εἶπεν αὐτοῖς—“he said to them.” Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular from λέγω. αὐτοῖς is the dative plural pronoun: “to them,” referring to the crowd.
The quoted speech follows with two imperatives:
- ἀκούετε — Present active imperative, 2nd person plural from ἀκούω, “listen” or “hear.”
- συνίετε — Present active imperative, 2nd person plural from συνίημι, “understand,” “perceive with insight.”
The use of both imperatives together reflects a typical Hebraic structure: not merely to hear sounds, but to hear with the intention of grasping meaning. It echoes Deuteronomic calls like “Hear, O Israel…” but now with a focus on discerning the deeper reality Jesus is about to reveal.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
Jesus is not interested in passive listeners. The double imperative ἀκούετε καὶ συνίετε challenges the crowd to active spiritual engagement. It prepares them to receive a corrective teaching about purity—not external, but internal. This moment also marks a turning point in Jesus’ public teaching: clarity over tradition, insight over mere compliance.
In Matthew’s narrative, this verse functions as a bridge between controversy and instruction. It invites the broader public into the conversation and subtly critiques the Pharisees’ external religiosity. The call is to discernment—a quality of the heart and mind, not just ritual correctness.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
συνίημι is more than “to understand”; it means to put things together, to grasp connections. In Greek rhetoric and pedagogy, it was associated with higher-order thinking. Jesus is not merely asking for attention—he is asking for reflection and spiritual insight.
The phrase ἀκούετε καὶ συνίετε would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with wisdom literature, where hearing and understanding are key steps on the path to righteousness. The structure of pairing two imperatives also appears in the Septuagint in exhortations to covenant faithfulness.
Table: Verbal and Structural Features in Matthew 15:10
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt 15:10 | προσκαλεσάμενος | Aorist middle participle, nominative masculine singular | “Having called to himself”; introduces the action before speaking |
| Matt 15:10 | εἶπεν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “He said”; narrates Jesus’ direct speech |
| Matt 15:10 | ἀκούετε / συνίετε | Present active imperatives, 2nd person plural | “Hear and understand”; a call to active and reflective listening |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Matthew 15:10 is concise but loaded. The participle sets the scene, the imperatives drive the message, and the vocabulary draws from deep Jewish and rhetorical traditions. The Greek invites the audience—and us—not just to hear, but to grasp, reflect, and respond. It is grammar with urgency, and syntax that stirs the soul.
