WHY IS THIS DIFFICULT?

Figurative Language Theological

Why does Jesus describe the kingdom in language that appears to favor those who already possess something?

 Understanding the Saying

Jesus says that whoever has will be given more, while whoever does not have will lose even what he has. At first hearing, the statement sounds almost like a defense of inequality: those who already possess something receive more, while those with little lose even that.

But Jesus is not discussing money or social privilege. In Matthew and Mark the saying appears in his explanation of parables; in Luke it follows a warning about how people listen.

 Interpretations

The “having” in this setting concerns reception of Jesus' teaching. Those who genuinely hear and respond receive increasing understanding; those who hear without responding can lose even the understanding they appeared to possess.

The Parable of the Sower illustrates the principle. The same word is heard by different people, but it does not produce the same result. Some receive it deeply and bear fruit; in others it remains shallow, becomes crowded out, or is lost.

Jesus therefore describes a dynamic process rather than an arbitrary distribution of knowledge. Understanding grows through receptive hearing. Refusal, indifference, or superficial hearing can produce increasing inability to understand.

This also helps explain why the saying appears alongside Jesus' parables. A parable can disclose more to a person who seriously engages with it while remaining merely an interesting story to someone unwilling to hear its challenge.

 Assessment

The immediate context strongly favors understanding “has” in terms of receptive hearing and understanding rather than material possession. Jesus is describing what happens when people respond differently to revelation.

The saying is still sobering. Spiritual understanding is not presented as something safely possessed regardless of response. What is received must be attended to; otherwise even apparent understanding can fade.

Why It Matters

Jesus treats listening as an active moral response rather than the passive collection of information. Understanding can deepen when truth is received and acted upon. Conversely, repeatedly resisting what one understands can make further understanding increasingly difficult.