Luke 8:18

How ye hear (pw akouete). The manner of hearing. Mark 4:24 has "what ye hear" (ti akouete), the matter that is heard. Both are supremely important. Some things should not be heard at all. Some that are heard should be forgotten. Others should be treasured and practised. For whosoever hath (Ho an gar ech). Present active subjunctive of the common verb ecw which may mean "keep on having" or "acquiring." See on "Mr 4:25" for discussion. Thinketh he hath (dokei ecein), or seems to acquire or to hold. Losses in business illustrate this saying as when we see their riches take wings and fly away. So it is with hearing and heeding. Self-deception is a common complaint.