Marmite and parables divide

When Jesus had finished giving the parable, Luke tell us (8:8b) that he called out, Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear. What did Jesus mean by this? He obviously was not referring simply to the physical ability to hear. There is no point telling a deaf person to listen well. Rather Jesus is drawing a distinction between those who listen and understand (who have ears and hear) and those who hear but don’t understand. It is clear that one of the functions of Jesus’s parables is to divide people – to make a distinction between those who are true disciples in his kingdom and those who are not. If I say ‘Who here likes Marmite sandwiches?’ it will cause a division. Some will say yes, some will say no. It’s like certain jokes. Some will laugh, some won’t. It all depends on how you hear.