“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
- KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- BSB He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- NKJV “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
- NASB The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Those with ears must hear what the Spirit says to the churches. It matters because Philadelphia's example and promise speak to all.
Overview
The familiar refrain calls every church to attentive, obedient hearing. Philadelphia's faithfulness and reward instruct the whole church. The Spirit's words are meant to shape all who will listen.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Rev 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 3:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.