Matthew 9:38

KJV

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pray ye {G1189} therefore {G3767} the Lord {G2962} of the harvest {G2326}, that {G3704} he will send forth {G1544} labourers {G2040} into {G1519} his {G846} harvest {G2326}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers to gather in his harvest."

Berean Standard Bible

Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

American Standard Version

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 9:38 presents Jesus' direct command to His disciples, urging them to pray to the "Lord of the harvest" for more laborers to be sent into His abundant harvest. This imperative arises from Jesus' profound compassion upon seeing the multitudes "faint, and scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd," recognizing the vast spiritual need and the readiness of people to receive the Gospel, yet lamenting the scarcity of those willing and equipped to share it. The verse encapsulates a foundational principle for Christian mission, highlighting the divine ownership of the evangelistic endeavor and the essential role of prayer in mobilizing God's workers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful command from Jesus serves as the climax of a significant section in Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 9:35-38). Immediately preceding it, [Matthew 9:35](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35 - Jesus' Ministry of Teaching, Preaching, and Healing") describes Jesus' extensive ministry, traveling through cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease. This active engagement with the crowds leads directly to His profound observation in [Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds"), where He is moved with compassion for them, seeing them "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This empathetic gaze then prompts His statement in [Matthew 9:37](/matthew/9-37 "Matthew 9:37 - The Harvest is Plentiful, the Laborers are Few") that "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Thus, the command to pray for laborers is not an isolated instruction but a direct, prayerful response to the overwhelming spiritual need Jesus perceived, emphasizing that the solution to the "shepherdless" state of humanity lies in divine intervention through prayer and the sending of workers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience, living in an agrarian society, would have immediately grasped the imagery of a "harvest." A harvest was a critical, time-sensitive event, requiring diligent and numerous workers to gather crops before they spoiled or were lost. It represented a period of intense activity and great potential yield. Spiritually, this metaphor resonated deeply within Jewish thought, often symbolizing the eschatological gathering of God's people or a time of divine judgment and ingathering (e.g., [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Harvest of Judgment")). For Jesus to declare the "harvest" as "plenteous" meant that the people were spiritually ripe for the Kingdom message, ready to be "gathered." The cultural understanding of a shepherd's vital role in guiding and protecting sheep further amplified Jesus' compassion for the "harassed and helpless" multitudes, underscoring their desperate need for spiritual leadership and guidance, a need that the existing religious authorities were failing to meet.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Initiative and Ownership of Mission**. By referring to the "Lord of the harvest," Jesus unequivocally states that the mission of salvation and ingathering belongs to God, not to human effort alone. He is the sovereign orchestrator of the spiritual realm. Secondly, the theme of **Urgency and Readiness** is paramount; the "harvest" implies a window of opportunity that must be seized before it passes, highlighting the critical need for immediate action in evangelism. Thirdly, the verse establishes the **Primacy of Prayer in Ministry**. Jesus does not immediately send His disciples out but commands them to pray, demonstrating that divine empowerment and commissioning of laborers is a direct result of earnest supplication. This emphasizes dependence on God for the provision of workers. Finally, the verse is deeply rooted in **Jesus' Compassion for the Lost**. The entire passage (Matthew 9:35-38) is framed by Jesus' empathetic response to the spiritual plight of the crowds, revealing that the impetus for the mission is God's profound love and desire for humanity's salvation, a theme powerfully illustrated in His own ministry of healing and teaching found throughout [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/9 "Matthew 9 - Jesus' Ministry and Authority").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pray (Greek, _déomai'_):** This word, often translated as "to beg" or "to make request," carries a strong sense of urgent petition, implying a deeply felt need and earnest supplication. It's not a casual wish but a fervent plea, suggesting that the matter of sending laborers is of utmost importance and requires persistent, heartfelt prayer from believers.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Signifying "supreme in authority" or "controller," this term emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over the spiritual harvest. He is the owner and master of the field, and therefore, the one with the authority and power to "send forth" workers. Addressing Him as "Lord" acknowledges His ultimate dominion and the necessity of His divine intervention.
* **Send forth (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** This verb is powerful and carries the connotation of "to eject," "to cast out," or "to drive out with force." It's the same word used for casting out demons (e.g., [Matthew 8:31](/matthew/8-31 "Matthew 8:31 - Casting out demons")). Its use here suggests that God doesn't merely invite or gently persuade laborers; He powerfully, purposefully, and even urgently dispatches them into His mission field, implying a divine compulsion and equipping for the task, overcoming any reluctance or obstacle.
* **Labourers (Greek, _ergátēs'_):** Derived from the word for "work" (ergon), an _ergátēs_ is primarily a "toiler" or "worker." Figuratively, in this context, it refers to those who actively engage in the spiritual work of the harvest—preaching, teaching, evangelizing, discipling. It implies diligent effort and active participation in God's mission, not passive observation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pray ye therefore":** This is an imperative command, directly instructing the disciples (and by extension, all believers) to engage in prayer. The "therefore" links this command directly to the preceding observation of the vast spiritual need and the scarcity of workers, establishing prayer as the primary, foundational response to this critical situation. It underscores that human effort alone is insufficient; divine intervention is essential.
* **"the Lord of the harvest":** This phrase identifies the specific recipient and authority for the prayer. God is portrayed as the sovereign owner and master of the spiritual harvest, possessing ultimate authority and control over its timing, its yield, and the workers needed to gather it. This emphasizes that the mission is His, and He is the one who will provide the necessary resources.
* **"that he will send forth labourers":** This clause specifies the content and purpose of the prayer: a request for God to actively and powerfully dispatch workers. The forceful verb "send forth" (ekbállō) suggests a divine initiative that compels and commissions individuals for this vital spiritual work, implying a supernatural equipping and an urgent deployment into the mission field.
* **"into his harvest":** This concluding phrase reiterates the divine ownership of the mission and defines the destination of the laborers. They are to be sent into "His" harvest, the spiritual field already ripe for gathering, where souls are ready to respond to the Gospel. It reinforces that the work is God's, for His glory, and in His appointed time and place.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 9:38 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily employing the agricultural imagery of a "harvest" and "labourers." The "harvest" symbolizes a time of spiritual readiness and opportunity for souls to be gathered into God's Kingdom, while "labourers" represent those called and equipped to participate in this spiritual ingathering. This metaphor effectively conveys the urgency, the abundance of potential, and the need for active participation. The verse also features a strong **Imperative** ("Pray ye"), which functions as a direct command from Jesus, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of this instruction for His followers. Furthermore, the phrase "Lord of the harvest" utilizes **Personification**, attributing ownership and authority over a natural process (harvest) to a divine being, thereby emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over the spiritual realm and His active involvement in the work of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 9:38 is a pivotal verse that profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian mission and the role of prayer within it. It establishes that the evangelistic task is not merely a human endeavor but a divine enterprise, owned and orchestrated by God Himself, the "Lord of the harvest." This theological truth alleviates the burden of human inadequacy and places the ultimate responsibility and power for the ingathering of souls squarely on God's shoulders. The command to pray for laborers underscores the absolute necessity of divine initiative in raising up and deploying workers, highlighting that effective ministry flows from God's sovereign call and empowerment, not merely from human recruitment strategies. It also connects deeply with the concept of God's compassionate heart for humanity, as seen in Jesus' motivation for uttering this command, reinforcing that the mission is driven by divine love for the lost.

* [Luke 10:2](/luke/10-2 "Luke 10:2 - The Harvest is Plentiful") - Jesus reiterates this same command to His disciples, emphasizing the consistency of this truth across different Gospel accounts.
* [John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields are White for Harvest") - Jesus tells His disciples to "look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest," reinforcing the immediacy and readiness of the spiritual harvest.
* [Acts 13:2-3](/acts/13-2-3 "Acts 13:2-3 - The Holy Spirit Sends Out Barnabas and Saul") - The Holy Spirit explicitly "sends forth" Barnabas and Saul for missionary work after a period of prayer and fasting, demonstrating the divine commissioning of laborers in action, fulfilling the prayer of Matthew 9:38.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 9:38 serves as a timeless summons to every believer, challenging us to adopt Jesus' perspective on the world and to participate actively in His mission. It calls us first to cultivate a heart of compassion for the spiritually lost, seeing them not as statistics but as "sheep without a shepherd," harassed and helpless, in desperate need of the Good News. This compassionate vision should then propel us to earnest, persistent prayer. We are not merely to wish for more workers, but to "pray ye therefore," recognizing that the sending forth of laborers is a divine act, prompted by the fervent prayers of God's people. This prayer should be specific, asking the "Lord of the harvest" to raise up and dispatch individuals who are willing, equipped, and compelled by His Spirit to serve in various capacities—as missionaries, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and everyday witnesses in their spheres of influence. Furthermore, this verse subtly prompts self-reflection: while we pray for others to be sent, are we ourselves available and willing to be among those laborers, ready to answer God's call to serve in His abundant harvest, wherever He may lead?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' compassion for the multitudes in Matthew 9:36 inform and motivate your own prayers for the lost?**
* **In what ways can you personally "pray... the Lord of the harvest" more earnestly and consistently for new laborers in your community and globally?**
* **Beyond prayer, what practical steps can you take to support, encourage, or even become one of the "labourers" in God's harvest field?**
* **How does understanding God as the "Lord of the harvest" impact your view of evangelism and mission?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus command us to pray for laborers instead of just telling His disciples to go?**

Answer: Jesus commands prayer for laborers to underscore the divine ownership and initiative of the mission. While He does eventually send His disciples out (e.g., [Matthew 10:5-15](/matthew/10-5-15 "Matthew 10:5-15 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")), this initial command emphasizes that the spiritual harvest is God's, and therefore, the provision of workers must come from Him. It highlights human dependence on God's power and sovereignty. Prayer is not a substitute for action, but the essential precursor to divinely empowered action, ensuring that the work is undertaken in God's strength and according to His will, rather than solely by human effort or strategy. It also fosters humility and acknowledges that true spiritual fruit comes from God's enabling.

**What kind of "labourers" is Jesus referring to? Is it only missionaries or pastors?**

Answer: While the term "labourers" certainly includes those in full-time ministry roles like missionaries, pastors, and evangelists, its scope is much broader. The "harvest" refers to all souls ready to hear and receive the Gospel. Therefore, "labourers" are any believers who are willing to participate in the work of the Kingdom, sharing the Good News in their unique contexts. This can include Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, compassionate neighbors, faithful friends, or anyone who, through their words and deeds, points others to Christ. The emphasis is on active participation in the spiritual ingathering, whatever form that may take, as empowered and sent by God into "His harvest."

**Is this command still relevant today, or was it only for Jesus' time?**

Answer: This command is profoundly and eternally relevant. The spiritual "harvest" remains "plenteous" in every generation, as countless individuals around the world are still "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" ([Matthew 9:36](/matthew/9-36 "Matthew 9:36 - Jesus' Compassion for the Crowds")). The need for dedicated, Spirit-empowered "labourers" to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples is as urgent today as it was in Jesus' day. The command to pray for these laborers is a perpetual call to the Church, recognizing that the mission of God continues until Christ's return, and its success is contingent upon divine provision of workers in response to fervent prayer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 9:38 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the quintessential "Lord of the harvest" and the supreme "labourer" sent by the Father. He is the one who surveyed the "fields," saw them "white for harvest" ([John 4:35](/john/4-35 "John 4:35 - The Fields are White for Harvest")), and then, out of profound compassion, initiated the work of gathering. Jesus not only commanded prayer for laborers but also embodied the answer to that prayer, being the perfectly obedient Son sent by God to accomplish the Father's will ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). His entire earthly ministry, characterized by teaching, preaching, and healing ([Matthew 9:35](/matthew/9-35 "Matthew 9:35 - Jesus' Ministry of Teaching, Preaching, and Healing")), was the very act of gathering the harvest. Furthermore, Jesus' ascension and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")) marked the "sending forth" of His disciples, equipping them with divine power to continue the harvest work, fulfilling the very prayer He commanded. The Church, as the body of Christ, now continues this mission, empowered by His Spirit, to bring in the harvest until He returns, making every believer a potential answer to the prayer for more laborers, all operating under the ultimate authority of the resurrected "Lord of the harvest" ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")).

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

Luke 10:1

¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luke 10:2

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Jeremiah 3:15

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

2 Thessalonians 3:1

¶ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Acts 8:4

¶ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.