Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 13:14-15

"And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: For this people`s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them." — Matthew 13:14-15 (ASV)

And in them is fulfilled, etc. This passage is substantially quoted from Isaiah 6:9-10. It was literally fulfilled in the time of Isaiah. In the time of Christ, the people had the same character. Like those in Isaiah's time, they closed their eyes to the truth and rejected the divine teaching. The words of Isaiah were, therefore, as well fitted to express the character of the people in the time of Christ as in the prophet's time. In this sense they were fulfilled, or filled up; that is, a case occurred that corresponded to their meaning. (See the notes on Matthew 1:22).

It is by no means intended that Isaiah, when he spoke these words, had any specific reference to the time of Christ. The meaning in both places is that the people were so gross, sensual, and prejudiced that they would not see the truth or understand anything that was contrary to their grovelling opinions and sensual desires—a case by no means uncommon in the world. (See the passage more fully explained in the notes on Isaiah 6:1 and following).

Waxed gross. Literally, this means has become fat. The term is commonly applied to the body but is also used to denote one who is stupid and foolish in mind. Here it means that the people were so sensual and corrupt that they did not see or understand the pure spiritual principles of the gospel.

Lest—they should see, etc. This means lest they should see their lost condition as sinners, and turn and live. The reason given here why they did not hear and understand the gospel is that their heart was wrong. They would not attend to the things that make for their peace.

I should heal them. This means I should pardon, sanctify, and save them. Sin is often represented as a disease, and the pardon and recovery of the soul from sin is represented as healing.