{Refuse to hear} (parakous(8869)). Like  Isa 65:12 . Many
papyri examples for ignoring, disregarding, hearing without
heeding, hearing aside (para-), hearing amiss, overhearing ( Mr
5:36 ). {The church} (	(8869) ekkl(8873)i(8369)). The local body, not the
general as in  Mt 16:18  which see for discussion. The problem
here is whether Jesus has in mind an actual body of believers
already in existence or is speaking prophetically of the local
churches that would be organized later (as in Acts). There are
some who think that the Twelve Apostles constituted a local
ekkl(8873)ia, a sort of moving church of preachers. That could only
be true in essence as they were a band of ministers and not
located in any one place. Bruce holds that they were "the
nucleus" of a local church at any rate.