Luke 8:9-18
New American Standard Bible
9 (A)Now His disciples began asking Him what this parable [a]meant. 10 And He said, “(B)To you it has been granted to know the [b]mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are told in parables, so that [c](C)while seeing they may not see, and [d]while hearing they may not understand.
11 “Now this is the parable: (D)the seed is the word of God. 12 And those beside the road are the ones who have heard, then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky soil are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and yet these do not have a firm root; [e]they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they [f]fall away. 14 And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word [g]with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with [h]perseverance.
Parable of the Lamp
16 “Now (E)no one lights a lamp and covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light. 17 (F)For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 So take care how you listen; (G)for whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he [i]thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
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Luke 8:9-18
The Message
9 His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”
10 He said, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:
Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing.
11-12 “This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.
13 “The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.
14 “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.
15 “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.
Misers of What You Hear
16-18 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson