Luke 8:11-15
New English Translation
11 “Now the parable means[a] this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil[b] comes and takes away the word[c] from their hearts, so that they may not believe[d] and be saved. 13 Those[e] on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while,[f] but[g] in a time of testing[h] fall away.[i] 14 As for the seed that[j] fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but[k] as they go on their way they are choked[l] by the worries and riches and pleasures of life,[m] and their fruit does not mature.[n] 15 But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing[o] the word, cling to it[p] with an honest and good[q] heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.[r]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 8:11 tn Grk “is,” but in this context it is clearly giving an explanation of the parable.
- Luke 8:12 sn Interestingly, the synoptic parallels each use a different word for the devil here: Matt 13:19 has “the evil one,” while Mark 4:15 has “Satan.” This illustrates the fluidity of the gospel tradition in often using synonyms at the same point of the parallel tradition.
- Luke 8:12 sn The word of Jesus has the potential to save if it germinates in a person’s heart, something the devil is very much against.
- Luke 8:12 tn The participle πιστεύσαντες (pisteusantes) has been translated as a finite verb here. It may be regarded as an adverbial participle of attendant circumstance. From a logical standpoint the negative must govern both the participle and the finite verb.
- Luke 8:13 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
- Luke 8:13 sn This time of temporary faith represented by the description believe for a while is presented rather tragically in the passage. The seed does not get a chance to do all it can.
- Luke 8:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Luke 8:13 tn Traditionally, “temptation.” Such a translation puts the emphasis on temptation to sin rather than testing of faith, which is what the context seems to indicate.
- Luke 8:13 sn Fall away. On the idea of falling away and the warnings against it, see 2 Tim 3:1; Heb 3:12; Jer 3:14; Dan 9:9.
- Luke 8:14 tn Grk “What”; the referent (the seed) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 8:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
- Luke 8:14 sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.
- Luke 8:14 sn On warnings about the dangers of excessive material attachments, described here as the worries and riches and pleasures of life, see Luke 12:12-21; 16:19-31.
- Luke 8:14 tn The verb τελεσφορέω (telesphoreō) means “to produce mature or ripe fruit” (L&N 23.203). Once again the seed does not reach its goal.
- Luke 8:15 tn The aorist participle ἀκούσαντες (akousantes) has been taken temporally, reflecting action antecedent (prior to) that of the main verb.
- Luke 8:15 sn There is a tenacity that is a part of spiritual fruitfulness.
- Luke 8:15 sn In an ancient context, the qualifier good described the ethical person who possessed integrity. Here it is integrity concerning God’s revelation through Jesus.
- Luke 8:15 sn Given the pressures noted in the previous soils, bearing fruit takes time (steadfast endurance), just as it does for the farmer. See Jas 1:2-4.
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