Luke 8:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:11 serves as Jesus' authoritative interpretation of the preceding Parable of the Sower, explicitly identifying the central symbol of the "seed" as "the word of God." This concise declaration provides the essential hermeneutical key, unlocking the spiritual meaning of the parable and illuminating the profound significance of divine truth in the human heart, laying the groundwork for understanding the various responses to the Gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 8:11 immediately follows Jesus' teaching of the Parable of the Sower (or Soils) to a large crowd, as recounted in [Luke 8:4-8](/luke/8-4-8 "The Parable of the Sower"). After delivering the parable, Jesus' disciples privately inquire about its meaning, prompting His explanation beginning in [Luke 8:9](/luke/8-9 "Disciples Ask for the Parable's Meaning"). This verse, therefore, marks the pivotal moment of divine revelation, transitioning from veiled truth presented in a parabolic form to explicit spiritual understanding. It sets the stage for Jesus' detailed exposition of the four types of soil in [Luke 8:12-15](/luke/8-12-15 "Jesus Explains the Four Soils"), each representing a different way people receive or reject the "word of God."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Parables were a common teaching method in ancient Judaism, used by rabbis to convey complex spiritual truths through relatable, everyday scenarios. Jesus, as a master teacher, frequently employed them to engage His audience and to reveal or conceal truth depending on the spiritual receptivity of the hearers (as He explains in [Luke 8:10](/luke/8-10 "The Purpose of Parables")). The agricultural imagery of sowing seed was deeply familiar to His agrarian audience in first-century Galilee. Farmers would scatter seed by hand over various types of terrain—along paths, on rocky ground, among thorns, and in fertile soil—making the parable's imagery immediately understandable and its lessons impactful, even before the explicit interpretation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty and power of God's Word**, presenting it as the dynamic, life-giving force capable of spiritual transformation. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **spiritual receptivity**, as the subsequent verses will demonstrate how different heart conditions determine the fruitfulness of the Word. Thirdly, it emphasizes **discipleship and understanding**, showing Jesus' commitment to revealing deeper truths to those who genuinely seek them, distinguishing between the crowds who hear but do not understand, and the disciples who are given the "secrets of the kingdom of God" ([Luke 8:10](/luke/8-10 "The Purpose of Parables")). This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **evangelism**, as the "sowing" of the seed implies the proclamation of this divine message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **parable (Greek, _parabolḗ'_):** This term refers to a similitude, a fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral, an apothegm, or an adage. In this context, it is a story drawn from everyday experience used to illustrate a spiritual truth, requiring interpretation to fully grasp its deeper meaning. Jesus' statement here confirms that the preceding narrative is indeed a _parabolḗ_ and that He is about to provide its authoritative explanation.
* **seed (Greek, _spóros'_):** Derived from the verb "to sow," _spóros_ concretely refers to the seed that is scattered. It carries the inherent idea of life, potential for growth, and propagation. By identifying this tangible, fertile element with the "word of God," Jesus establishes a powerful metaphor for the life-giving and generative nature of divine truth, emphasizing its capacity to take root and produce spiritual fruit.
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** Far more than just a spoken utterance, _lógos_ encompasses a comprehensive message, reasoning, divine revelation, and even the very essence of God's communication. In this context, it refers to the divine message, the Gospel of the Kingdom, which Jesus Himself proclaims. The choice of _lógos_ highlights the inherent authority, wisdom, and transformative power embedded within God's communication to humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the parable is this:"**: This introductory clause serves as a direct response to the disciples' question in [Luke 8:9](/luke/8-9 "Disciples Ask about the Parable"). It signals a shift from the narrative presentation of the parable to its explicit interpretation. Jesus, as the ultimate authority, is about to unveil the hidden meaning, leaving no room for speculation regarding the parable's core symbolism.
* **"The seed is the word of God."**: This declarative statement is the interpretive key to the entire parable. It directly equates the physical "seed" scattered by the sower with the spiritual "word of God." This identification is foundational, establishing the divine origin and inherent power of the message being proclaimed. It clarifies that the parable is not primarily about agriculture, but about the reception and impact of God's truth on human hearts. The "word of God" here refers broadly to the Gospel message, the teachings of Christ, and the divine revelation that brings salvation and spiritual life.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 8:11 is **Symbolism**, where the "seed" is explicitly declared to symbolize the "word of God." This is a direct and unambiguous symbolic equation, crucial for understanding the entire Parable of the Sower. Jesus uses this clear **Metaphor** to bridge the gap between a familiar agricultural image and a profound spiritual reality. By defining the symbol, Jesus provides the interpretive lens through which the rest of the parable's elements (the different types of soil) must be understood. The verse itself functions as a **Hermeneutical Key**, unlocking the deeper theological meaning of the preceding narrative and guiding the listener's interpretation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:11 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's communication with humanity. It establishes the "word of God" as the foundational element for spiritual life and growth, emphasizing its divine origin and inherent power to transform. This "seed" is not merely human philosophy or advice but the living, active truth that originates from God Himself, carrying His authority and life-giving essence. The parable, interpreted by this verse, then illustrates that while the seed is consistently potent, its fruitfulness depends entirely on the receptivity of the "soil"—the human heart. This highlights the critical interplay between divine initiative (the sowing of the Word) and human responsibility (the reception of the Word), a theme central to salvation and sanctification.

* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10-11 "God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose") - Just as rain and snow water the earth and make it fruitful, so God's word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish His purpose.
* [James 1:21](/james/1-21 "Receive the Implanted Word") - Encourages believers to humbly receive the "implanted word," which has the power to save their souls, echoing the idea of the seed taking root.
* [1 Peter 1:23](/1_peter/1-23 "Born Again Through the Living Word") - States that believers are "born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:11 calls us to a profound reverence for the Bible and all forms of God's revealed truth. If the "seed" is indeed the "word of God," then our engagement with Scripture is not merely an academic exercise but an encounter with the very life-giving power of the Almighty. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial hearing to genuine reception, preparing our hearts to be "good soil" where the Word can take deep root, flourish, and bear abundant fruit. It compels us to examine the condition of our own spiritual soil: Are we allowing distractions, worldly anxieties, or hardened unbelief to choke out the Word? Furthermore, recognizing the Word's power, we are commissioned to be diligent sowers, faithfully proclaiming this life-transforming message to a world desperately in need of its truth, trusting that God's Word, once sown, will accomplish its intended purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I personally define and value "the word of God" in my daily life?**
* **What "soil conditions" (attitudes, habits, priorities) in my heart might be hindering the growth and fruitfulness of God's Word?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a more receptive heart to the Word, allowing it to take deeper root?**
* **How does my understanding of the "seed" as the "word of God" impact my desire and efforts to share the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus explicitly defining the "seed" in Luke 8:11?**
Answer: Jesus' explicit definition of the "seed" as "the word of God" in [Luke 8:11](/luke/8-11 "The Seed is the Word of God") is profoundly significant because it provides the authoritative interpretive key to the entire Parable of the Sower. Without this direct explanation, the parable would remain a compelling story but its spiritual meaning might be open to various interpretations. By defining the central symbol, Jesus removes ambiguity, ensuring that His disciples (and subsequent readers) understand the parable's primary focus: the nature of God's message and the diverse ways people respond to it. This act underscores Jesus' role as the ultimate revealer of divine truth and His desire for His followers to grasp the deeper realities of the Kingdom of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:11, by identifying the "seed" as "the word of God," points ultimately to Jesus Christ Himself, who is the living embodiment and ultimate expression of God's Word. While the "word of God" in this context primarily refers to the Gospel message and divine revelation, the New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the **Logos**—the Word made flesh ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He is the one through whom God fully communicates His nature, will, and redemptive plan. Therefore, when the "seed" of God's Word is sown, it is, in essence, the message of Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and reign—that is being proclaimed. The reception of this "seed" is fundamentally the reception of Christ Himself, leading to new life and participation in His kingdom. Just as a physical seed contains the potential for life, Christ, the Living Word, is the source of all spiritual life, and His message, when received into good soil, transforms individuals into His likeness, bearing fruit for God's glory ([Colossians 1:5-6](/colossians/1-5-6 "The Gospel Bearing Fruit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.