Luke 8:5

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

A sower {G4687} went out {G1831} to sow {G4687} his {G846} seed {G4703}: and {G2532} as {G1722} he {G846} sowed {G4687}, some {G3739}{G3303} fell {G4098} by {G3844} the way side {G3598}; and {G2532} it was trodden down {G2662}, and {G2532} the fowls {G4071} of the air {G3772} devoured {G2719} it {G846}.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path and was stepped on, and the birds flying around ate it up.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.

The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

Commentary

Luke 8:5 opens the well-known Parable of the Sower, or more accurately, the Parable of the Soils, where Jesus illustrates different responses to the Kingdom of God's message. This verse introduces the initial scenario of seed falling on unreceptive ground.

Context

This verse is part of a series of parables Jesus taught to large crowds, often using agricultural imagery familiar to his audience. The full parable, stretching from Luke 8:4 to Luke 8:15, is explained by Jesus himself shortly after its telling, revealing the spiritual significance of the sower, the seed, and the different types of soil. This method of teaching allowed those with open hearts to grasp deeper truths, while those who were unreceptive remained in their spiritual blindness.

Key Themes

  • The Scattering of the Word: The sower indiscriminately scatters the seed, symbolizing the generous and widespread proclamation of God's message to all people, regardless of their immediate receptivity.
  • Unreceptive Hearts: The "way side" represents hearts that are hardened and unreceptive to the truth. These individuals hear the Word but do not allow it to penetrate or take root.
  • Spiritual Opposition: The "fowls of the air" symbolize the enemy, often understood as Satan, who swiftly snatches away the Word from those who do not understand or protect it. This highlights the reality of spiritual warfare against evil forces that seek to hinder the growth of faith.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "sower" is ho speirōn (ὁ σπείρων), literally "the one sowing."
  • "Seed" is ton sporon (τὸν σπόρον), which in Jesus' explanation in Luke 8:11 is explicitly identified as "the word of God" (ho logos tou theou).
  • "Way side" translates para ten hodon (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν), meaning "beside the road." This refers to a path that runs through a field, hardened by frequent foot traffic, making it impossible for seeds to germinate.
  • "Fowls of the air" (ta peteina tou ouranou) are literally "the birds of the heaven," which in the parable's interpretation represent the devil, who comes and takes away the word from their hearts (Luke 8:12).

Practical Application

Luke 8:5 serves as a powerful reminder about the different ways people receive the Gospel message. For personal reflection, it prompts us to consider the condition of our own hearts. Are we like the "way side" soil, hardened by indifference, distractions, or prior experiences, allowing the Word to be easily snatched away? This verse underscores the importance of a receptive heart, ready to hear and retain the life-changing truth of God's Word. It also highlights the spiritual battle we face; we must actively guard our hearts and minds against the enemy's attempts to steal the seed of truth before it can take root and grow.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 2:1

    ¶ Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip.

  • Mark 4:15

    And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

  • James 1:23

    For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

  • James 1:24

    For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

  • Luke 8:11

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

  • Luke 8:12

    Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

  • Genesis 15:11

    And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
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