And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And {G2532} other {G2087} fell {G4098} on {G1909} good {G18} ground {G1093}, and {G2532} sprang up {G5453}, and bare {G4160} fruit {G2590} an hundredfold {G1542}. And when he had said {G3004} these things {G5023}, he cried {G5455}, He that hath {G2192} ears {G3775} to hear {G191}, let him hear {G191}.
But some fell into rich soil, and grew, and produced a hundred times as much as had been sown." After saying this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear with, let him hear!"
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprang up and produced a crop—a hundredfold.” As Jesus said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
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Matthew 11:15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. -
Revelation 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. -
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. -
Proverbs 20:12
¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. -
Matthew 13:8
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. -
Matthew 13:9
Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. -
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.
Context
Luke 8:8 concludes the opening segment of Jesus' Parable of the Sower (also known as the Parable of the Soils). This parable, also recorded in Matthew 13 and Mark 4, describes four different responses to the "word of God" (explained in Luke 8:11). After detailing how the seed fell on various types of ground—the wayside, stony ground, and thorny ground—this verse highlights the successful outcome on the "good ground," followed by Jesus' emphatic call for spiritual discernment.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "good ground" translates from the Greek kalēn gēn (καλὴν γῆν), implying soil that is not only fertile but also beautiful and suitable for cultivation. The term "hundredfold" (Greek: hekatontaplasiona) emphasizes an exceptional, abundant yield, far beyond what was typical even in good agricultural practice, symbolizing the immense spiritual fruit God desires to produce through receptive hearts. Jesus' repeated phrase, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," found frequently in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 13:9, Mark 4:9), is a proverbial expression urging listeners to pay close attention and to grasp the deeper, spiritual meaning of His teachings, which are often veiled in parables for those who lack spiritual discernment.
Practical Application
Luke 8:8 challenges us to examine the condition of our own hearts. Are we "good ground" for the seed of God's Word? This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart that is not hardened by indifference, shallow in commitment, or choked by worldly anxieties. Instead, we are called to be diligent in hearing, understanding, and retaining God's truth, allowing it to take deep root. When we do so, the promise is not just spiritual growth, but also abundant fruitfulness—a life that glorifies God and impacts others, demonstrating the transformative power of His word. It reminds us that spiritual hearing is an active process, requiring intentionality and a willingness to obey what we hear.