Luke 8:14 kjv
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luke 8:14 nkjv
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
Luke 8:14 niv
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Luke 8:14 esv
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Luke 8:14 nlt
The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.
Luke 8 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 13:22 | As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word... | Parallel account; identifies "deceitfulness" of riches. |
| Mk 4:19 | but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word... | Parallel account; adds "desires for other things." |
| Jer 4:3 | For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. | Metaphor for removing sin to receive God's word. |
| Hos 10:12 | Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love... break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord... | Ploughing the ground to remove spiritual thorns. |
| Mt 6:25 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink... | Direct command against anxiety. |
| Mt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Prioritizing God over worldly cares. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Trusting God to alleviate anxieties. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. | Relief from anxiety through surrender to God. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. | Danger of desiring riches, root of evil. |
| Prov 11:28 | Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. | Danger of trusting in wealth. |
| Heb 13:5 | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have... | Command against materialism, advocating contentment. |
| Jas 4:4 | You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? | Friendship with the world (its pleasures/values) as enmity to God. |
| 1 Jn 2:15-17 | Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh... | Command not to love worldly pleasures/desires. |
| Tit 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures... | Recalling past enslavement to worldly pleasures. |
| 2 Tim 3:4 | ...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God... | Description of those hostile to God's ways. |
| Jn 15:5-6 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit... If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away... | Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... | Definition of true spiritual fruit. |
| Col 1:10 | ...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. | Purpose of Christian walk is to bear good fruit. |
| Heb 6:7-8 | For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed... | Parable's implications: un-fruitfulness leads to judgment. |
| Lk 13:6-9 | And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down...'" | God seeks fruit, persistent unfruitfulness leads to removal. |
| Jas 1:22-24 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... | Hearing without doing is deception; fruitlessness. |
| Lk 12:15 | And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” | Direct warning against covetousness/materialism. |
| Lk 12:34 | For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | The heart follows one's true priority (treasure). |
| 2 Tim 2:4 | No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. | Avoidance of entanglements for serving Christ. |
Luke 8 verses
Luke 8 14 Meaning
Luke 8:14 reveals the fate of the seed sown among thorns in the Parable of the Sower. It signifies those who hear the Word of God but, as they live their lives, are progressively overwhelmed by the distractions of worldly anxieties, the allure of wealth, and the pursuit of earthly pleasures. These elements effectively choke the spiritual growth ignited by the Word, preventing it from bearing fruit and maturing in their lives, thus hindering genuine, abiding faith and Christ-like character.
Luke 8 14 Context
Luke 8:14 is part of Jesus' interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, recounted in Luke 8:4-15, also found in Mt 13:1-23 and Mk 4:1-20. The parable describes different types of soil, representing different responses to the "seed," which is the Word of God (Lk 8:11). The immediate context shows Jesus explaining to His disciples why He teaches in parables, then directly clarifying the meaning of the soils. The thorny ground, as explained in verse 14, represents a heart that initially receives the Word but is ultimately overwhelmed by the surrounding secular priorities.
Historically, the audience lived in an agrarian society where the challenges of farming, including dealing with weeds and thorns choking crops, were readily understood. This visual imagery made the spiritual lesson impactful. Culturally, there was a prevalent emphasis on worldly status, material possessions, and temporal enjoyments. Jesus' words served as a strong counter-cultural polemic, challenging the notion that security, satisfaction, and happiness were found in "cares and riches and pleasures of this life." He presented a kingdom reality where ultimate value lies not in these worldly pursuits but in embracing and obeying God's Word, which leads to genuine spiritual fruitfulness.
Luke 8 14 Word analysis
- And that which fell among thorns are they: This links back to the third type of soil. The "thorns" (ἄκανθαι - akanthai) refer to harmful, pervasive weeds or thorny plants that compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight, inhibiting the growth of desirable crops. Spiritually, they symbolize the insidious distractions and demands of the fallen world.
- which, when they have heard: Signifies that the Word (seed) was genuinely received and initially understood. The problem is not in the initial hearing, but in what happens after hearing.
- go forth: This phrase (πορευόμενοι - poreuomenoi) suggests a continuous state or a process of living one's life. As they "go about their way" or "proceed" in life, they encounter the obstacles mentioned.
- and are choked: The Greek word (συμπνίγονται - sympnigontai) means "to be suffocated together with," "to be stifled," or "to be completely overwhelmed." It's an active process; the thorns don't just hinder, they actively suppress the life out of the plant. Spiritually, this implies a gradual but decisive suppression of spiritual life and vitality.
- with cares: (μερίμναις - merimnais) refers to anxieties, worries, concerns, or distractions. These are the burdens and preoccupations about daily living, possessions, or the future, which, though seemingly legitimate, can consume focus and trust, pulling attention away from God.
- and riches: (πλούτου - ploutou) refers to wealth, material possessions, and abundance. While not inherently evil, the pursuit or love of riches can become an idol, creating a false sense of security and consuming one's priorities, as their "deceitfulness" (Mk 4:19) can promise satisfaction it cannot deliver.
- and pleasures: (ἡδονῶν - hēdonōn) refers to sensual delights, gratifications, or worldly enjoyments. These are fleeting, superficial satisfactions that distract from spiritual depth and sacrifice, often demanding one's time, energy, and resources.
- of this life: (τοῦ βίου - tou biou) emphasizes that these cares, riches, and pleasures belong to the present, temporal existence. They contrast with the eternal life and kingdom realities that Jesus preaches, highlighting the temporary nature of what chokes the Word.
- and bring no fruit to perfection: (οὐ τελεσφοροῦσι - ou telesphorōsi) literally means "do not bring to maturity/completion" or "do not bear fruit completely." "Fruit" refers to transformed character, righteous living, obedience, evangelism, and works of faith (Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:10; Jn 15:5). "To perfection" or "to maturity" signifies that the spiritual growth initiated by the Word is stunted; it never reaches its intended potential or yields lasting results for the Kingdom of God.
Words-group analysis:
- choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life: This phrase highlights the destructive synergy of three intertwined worldly temptations. It’s not just one factor but the combined, overwhelming pressure from worldly concerns (anxiety), material desires (covetousness), and fleeting gratifications (hedonism) that suppress spiritual life. These are subtle and insidious; they don't always present as overt sin but as legitimate life pursuits that displace God.
- bring no fruit to perfection: This emphasizes the tragic outcome. The Word is heard, but its life-transforming power is neutralized, resulting in an unproductive spiritual existence. It's not a complete absence of good, but an inability to reach maturity, stability, or yield the full, desired spiritual harvest.
Luke 8 14 Bonus section
The progressive nature of the "choking" is significant. It's not an immediate failure upon hearing but a slow strangulation that occurs as one "goes forth" into daily life. This emphasizes the continuous need for vigilance and spiritual pruning. The thorns often emerge after the seed has taken root, indicating that initial reception of the Word is not enough; ongoing discernment and intentional focus on Christ are necessary to prevent worldly influences from taking over and rendering one barren. These thorns are distractions, but their ultimate impact is diversion from a life of fruitfulness for the Lord. They represent what can captivate the heart instead of Christ.
Luke 8 14 Commentary
Luke 8:14 powerfully illustrates a significant spiritual danger: the subtle, insidious suppression of God's Word by the allurements of the world. These "thorns"—anxieties, wealth, and pleasures—are not necessarily overt sins but common preoccupations that compete for our heart's allegiance and time. They are particularly dangerous because they often appear legitimate or even necessary in life, slowly but surely displacing God from the center.
The "choking" indicates a gradual but lethal process. The cares of life prevent trust in God's providence, replacing it with worry. The deceitfulness of riches fosters self-reliance and covetousness, leading away from dependency on Christ and generosity. The transient pleasures captivate the mind and spirit, prioritizing temporary gratification over eternal spiritual disciplines. These forces effectively stunt the growth of faith, making it impossible for the Word to produce mature, lasting spiritual fruit such as Christ-like character, good works, or sharing the Gospel. This verse serves as a crucial warning to believers to actively cultivate their hearts by diligently pruning worldly desires and fixing their gaze on Christ, lest the fertile ground of faith becomes overgrown and unfruitful.