Luke 8:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"The parable is this: the seed is God's message.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

American Standard Version:

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now{G1161} the parable{G3850} is{G2076} this{G3778}: The seed{G4703} is{G2076} the word{G3056} of God{G2316}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Mark 4:14

  • The sower soweth the word.

Mark 4:20

  • And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive [it], and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

1 Peter 1:23

  • Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:25

  • But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Matthew 13:19

  • When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

James 1:21

  • Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Isaiah 8:20

  • To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

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Commentary for Luke 8:11

Luke 8:11 is part of the account of Jesus teaching in parables, specifically the Parable of the Sower. This verse encapsulates the core symbolism of the parable: the seed represents the word of God. In the broader context of the New Testament, Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool to convey spiritual truths through everyday experiences familiar to his listeners. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where sowing seeds was a common and well-understood practice.

The verse itself is succinct, but it speaks to a deeper thematic significance. The seed, as the word of God, is central to the spiritual growth and salvation of individuals. Just as a seed must be sown in good soil to grow and produce fruit, the word of God must find fertile ground in a receptive heart to take root and flourish. This metaphor highlights the importance of not only hearing the word but also understanding and applying it in one's life.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes different outcomes for the seed based on the type of soil it falls upon, symbolizing various responses to the gospel message. Some seed falls on the path and is eaten by birds, some on rocky soil with little depth and withers, some among thorns and is choked, and some on good soil and yields a bountiful crop. This analogy serves as a caution and an encouragement, emphasizing the need for a nurturing environment for faith to grow, free from the distractions and obstacles that can prevent spiritual maturity.

The theme of receptivity to God's word is a recurring one in Christian theology, and Luke 8:11 succinctly captures this idea. It challenges believers to examine the condition of their own hearts and to cultivate an environment where the word of God can thrive, leading to a life of fruitfulness and faithfulness.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
  2. Strong's Number: G3850
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: παραβολή
    Transliteration: parabolḗ
    Pronunciation: par-ab-ol-ay'
    Description: from παραβάλλω; a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage:--comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
  3. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
  4. Strong's Number: G3778
    There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὗτος
    Transliteration: hoûtos
    Pronunciation: how'-tahee
    Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
  5. Strong's Number: G4703
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σπόρος
    Transliteration: spóros
    Pronunciation: spro'-os
    Description: from σπείρω; a scattering (of seed), i.e. (concretely) seed (as sown):--seed (X sown).
  6. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
  7. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).