Luke 8:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!"

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:8 concludes the initial presentation of Jesus' Parable of the Sower, highlighting the contrasting outcomes of the "seed" (the word of God) sown on different types of "ground" (human hearts). While earlier verses describe the failure of the seed on the wayside, stony ground, and thorny ground, this verse focuses on the abundant fruitfulness achieved when the seed falls on "good ground." It culminates with Jesus' profound and often-repeated call for spiritual discernment, urging listeners to actively engage with and truly comprehend His teachings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 8:8 is the climactic statement in Jesus' Parable of the Sower, which begins in [Luke 8:4](/luke/8-4 "Luke 8:4 - The Parable of the Sower Begins"). It follows the descriptions of seed falling on unproductive soil: the wayside where it was trampled and eaten by birds ([Luke 8:5](/luke/8-5 "Luke 8:5 - Seed on the Wayside")), the rock where it withered due to lack of moisture ([Luke 8:6](/luke/8-6 "Luke 8:6 - Seed on Stony Ground")), and among thorns where it was choked ([Luke 8:7](/luke/8-7 "Luke 8:7 - Seed Among Thorns")). This verse presents the positive outcome, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent explanation of the parable to His disciples, found in [Luke 8:9-15](/luke/8-9-15 "Luke 8:9-15 - Jesus Explains the Parable"). The concluding call, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," serves as a crucial interpretive key, emphasizing the spiritual nature of the parable's message.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Agriculture was central to ancient Israelite life, making the imagery of sowing and harvesting immediately relatable to Jesus' audience. Farmers would typically sow seeds broadly before plowing, which explains the varied ground types. The concept of a "hundredfold" yield was extraordinary and would have signified immense prosperity and blessing. While a common yield might be seven to ten-fold, a thirty, sixty, or hundred-fold return (as seen in parallel accounts like [Matthew 13:8](/matthew/13-8 "Matthew 13:8 - Seed on Good Ground in Matthew")) was a hyperbolic expression of divine abundance, far surpassing natural expectations. This reflected God's blessing on faithfulness, echoing Old Testament promises of fruitfulness and abundance for obedience, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke"):
* **Receptivity to the Word of God:** The parable's central message, elucidated in [Luke 8:11-15](/luke/8-11-15 "Luke 8:11-15 - The Meaning of the Parable"), is the critical importance of how one receives the divine message. Only the "good ground" represents a heart that genuinely hears, understands, retains, and obeys the Word, leading to spiritual transformation and fruitfulness.
* **Spiritual Discernment:** Jesus' concluding exhortation, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," is a recurring motif in the Gospels, emphasizing that understanding His parables and divine truth requires more than mere physical hearing. It demands spiritual insight, a willingness to perceive deeper meaning, and an open heart to respond in faith and obedience. This theme is further explored in [Luke 8:16-18](/luke/8-16-18 "Luke 8:16-18 - Parable of the Lamp").
* **Divine Abundance and Fruitfulness:** The "hundredfold" yield is a powerful symbol of the extraordinary spiritual productivity that results from a truly receptive heart. It signifies not just growth, but exponential growth in righteousness, good works, and the spread of the Gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of God's Word when it takes root deeply. This resonates with the call to bear fruit worthy of repentance found earlier in [Luke 3:8](/luke/3-8 "Luke 3:8 - Bear Fruit Worthy of Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word signifies something intrinsically good, beneficial, and morally upright. When applied to "ground," it denotes soil that is fertile, healthy, and perfectly suited for cultivation, implying not just physical quality but also a spiritual readiness to receive and nourish the seed of God's Word.
* **Ground (Greek, _gē'_):** While broadly meaning "earth" or "land," in this context, _gē_ refers specifically to the "soil" or "ground" where seeds are sown. In the parable, it symbolizes the human heart or mind, indicating the internal disposition and condition of an individual that determines their response to divine truth.
* **Hundredfold (Greek, _hekatontaplasíōn'_):** This term literally means "a hundred times" or "a hundredfold." It represents an extraordinarily abundant yield, a hyperbole in agricultural terms, signifying the immense spiritual fruit and exponential growth that results from a heart that fully embraces and lives out the Word of God. It points to a divine multiplication far beyond human expectation.
* **Hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This verb means "to hear" in various senses, from physical perception to understanding and obeying. In Jesus' concluding cry, it moves beyond mere auditory reception to imply a profound spiritual hearing that leads to comprehension, acceptance, and transformative action. It is a call to listen with a discerning heart.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And other fell on good ground":** This clause introduces the fourth and final type of soil, contrasting sharply with the unproductive grounds previously described. "Good ground" represents a heart that is prepared, receptive, and fertile—free from the hardening of indifference, the shallowness of superficiality, or the choking weeds of worldly concerns. It signifies a disposition that is open, honest, and ready to receive the Word.
* **"and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.":** This describes the positive and abundant outcome on the good ground. The seed not only "sprang up" (indicating growth and vitality) but also "bare fruit," demonstrating productivity and effectiveness. The "hundredfold" yield emphasizes the extraordinary, supernatural abundance of spiritual life and impact that results when the Word is deeply rooted in a receptive heart, far exceeding any natural expectation.
* **"And when he had said these things, he cried, 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.'":** This concluding statement is a powerful, emphatic call to attention and spiritual discernment. Jesus "cried" out, indicating the urgency and importance of His message. The phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" is a proverbial saying, urging listeners to move beyond mere physical hearing to a deeper, spiritual comprehension and responsive obedience. It implies that the parable's meaning is not immediately obvious to all and requires a receptive heart and a willingness to understand and apply divine truth.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:8, as part of the Parable of the Sower, is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "seed" is a **metaphor** for the word of God, and the "ground" **symbolizes** the human heart and its various conditions of receptivity. The "fruit" **symbolizes** the spiritual growth, righteous living, and Kingdom impact that results from a life transformed by the Word. The "hundredfold" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration used to emphasize the extraordinary abundance and divine blessing associated with a truly receptive heart. Finally, Jesus' concluding cry, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," functions as a **Call to Discernment**, a proverbial expression that challenges the audience to listen not just with their physical ears, but with spiritual understanding, urging them to grasp the deeper, often veiled, truths within His parables.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:8 powerfully articulates the theological truth that the effectiveness of God's Word is not in the sower or the seed itself, but in the condition of the soil—the human heart. It underscores divine sovereignty in sowing the Word, but also human responsibility in receiving it. The "good ground" represents those who, by God's grace, cultivate a heart that is honest, good, and persevering, allowing the Word to take deep root and produce a harvest that glorifies God. This fruitfulness is not merely about outward works, but about an inner transformation that manifests in a life aligned with God's will, demonstrating the power of the Gospel to bring about abundant life.

* [Matthew 13:23](/matthew/13-23 "Matthew 13:23 - The Seed on Good Soil in Matthew")
* [Mark 4:20](/mark/4-20 "Mark 4:20 - The Seed on Good Soil in Mark")
* [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ to Bear Fruit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:8 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to honestly examine the condition of our own hearts. Are we "good ground" for the life-giving seed of God's Word, or are we like the wayside, hardened by indifference; the stony ground, shallow in our commitment; or the thorny ground, choked by the anxieties and desires of this world? This verse challenges us to actively cultivate a heart that is not only open to hearing God's truth but also committed to understanding, retaining, and obeying it. It calls for a diligent and persevering spirit, one that allows the Word to take deep root and transform us from the inside out. When we commit to being "good ground," the promise is not merely spiritual growth, but an abundant, hundredfold fruitfulness—a life that glorifies God, impacts others for His Kingdom, and demonstrates the transformative power of His living Word in every sphere of our existence. Spiritual hearing, therefore, is an active, ongoing process requiring intentionality and a willingness to respond in faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kind of "ground" does my heart most resemble when I encounter God's Word, and what steps can I take to cultivate "good ground"?**
* **In what areas of my life am I experiencing "fruitfulness" as a result of God's Word taking root, and where might I be hindered?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to "have ears to hear" in my daily walk with Christ, and how can I practice deeper spiritual discernment?**
* **How does the concept of a "hundredfold" yield encourage or challenge my expectations for spiritual growth and impact?**

### FAQ

**What does "good ground" signify in this parable?**

Answer: In the Parable of the Sower, "good ground" symbolizes a heart that is receptive, honest, and good, as explained by Jesus in [Luke 8:15](/luke/8-15 "Luke 8:15 - Jesus Explains the Good Ground"). It represents individuals who hear the word of God, hold it fast with a noble and good heart, and persevere in it, ultimately bearing fruit. This implies a heart that is not hardened by sin, shallow in commitment, or choked by worldly concerns, but is prepared to receive, understand, and obey divine truth.

**What does the "hundredfold" fruitfulness represent?**

Answer: The "hundredfold" (Greek: _hekatontaplasíōn_) signifies an extraordinary and abundant yield, far surpassing typical agricultural returns. Theologically, it represents the immense spiritual fruitfulness and exponential growth that occurs when the word of God is deeply rooted in a truly receptive heart. This fruitfulness can manifest as spiritual maturity, righteous living, acts of service, the spread of the Gospel, and a life that brings glory to God, demonstrating the powerful and transformative work of the Holy Spirit. It's a hyperbole emphasizing divine blessing and multiplication.

**Why does Jesus conclude with "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear"?**

Answer: This phrase is a crucial call to spiritual discernment, repeated by Jesus in various contexts (e.g., [Matthew 11:15](/matthew/11-15 "Matthew 11:15 - Call to Hear about John the Baptist"), [Mark 4:9](/mark/4-9 "Mark 4:9 - Call to Hear in Mark")). It indicates that the parables and Jesus' teachings contain deeper spiritual truths not immediately obvious to everyone. It's a challenge to move beyond mere physical hearing to a profound spiritual understanding, acceptance, and obedience. Those who truly "have ears to hear" are those whose hearts are open to God's revelation and willing to respond to it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both the divine Sower and the very Word of God sown. He is the one who perfectly embodies the "good ground," receiving and perfectly obeying the Father's will, thereby producing the ultimate fruit of salvation. As the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), Jesus is the divine seed planted in the world, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He bore the ultimate fruit of redemption for all humanity ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat that Dies")). Furthermore, Christ is the one who grants "ears to hear," opening the hearts and minds of His followers to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures")). He is the true vine, and believers are the branches; it is only by abiding in Him that we can bear much fruit, a spiritual yield far exceeding a hundredfold, for apart from Him, we can do nothing ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ to Bear Fruit")). Thus, the "good ground" is ultimately a heart transformed by Christ, enabling it to receive His Word, live in Him, and bear fruit for the glory of God.

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

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.