Luke 8 18

Luke 8:18 kjv

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 8:18 nkjv

Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."

Luke 8:18 niv

Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them."

Luke 8:18 esv

Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away."

Luke 8:18 nlt

"So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them."

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 18 Meaning

Luke 8:18 conveys a profound spiritual principle: those who possess genuine understanding and actively respond to God's truth will be given further revelation and insight, leading to spiritual abundance. Conversely, those who appear to have understanding but do not truly appropriate or apply it will find even their superficial grasp removed, leaving them spiritually destitute. This verse emphasizes active engagement with God's word, as genuine receptivity leads to growth, while neglect results in loss.

Luke 8 18 Context

Luke 8:18 follows Jesus' Parable of the Sower and its explanation (8:4-15), which illustrates different responses to the word of God. The immediate preceding verses (8:16-17) introduce the parable of the lamp, stating that nothing hidden will remain hidden, and all truth will be brought to light. This context links 8:18 directly to the themes of hearing, understanding, and disclosing the truth of the Gospel. It underscores the active, dynamic nature of spiritual knowledge – it is not static, but grows or diminishes based on one's interaction with it. Historically, the audience would have been familiar with agricultural metaphors and the concept of stewardship. Jesus is establishing a new paradigm of spiritual reception that transcends mere intellectual assent, demanding active internal processing and outward demonstration. There's an indirect polemic against those who merely heard religious teachings but failed to embody their truth, perhaps referring to the religious leaders of the day.

Luke 8 18 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A causal conjunction, indicating that this verse provides the reason or explanation for what was just stated (that things hidden will be brought to light, and all truth will be revealed). It connects the principle of revealing truth to the consequences of how one responds to it.
• whoever has (πᾶς γὰρ ὃς ἔχει, pas gar hos echei): "Has" (ἔχει, echei, present active indicative of ἔχω, echō, "to have," "to possess"). This is not merely physical possession but refers to spiritual receptivity, a genuine apprehension, or an inner grasp of the truth of God's Word revealed through Jesus. It implies understanding that leads to spiritual engagement and action, not just hearing. It's about fruitful hearing, like the good soil in the preceding parable.
• to him more will be given (δοθήσεται αὐτῷ, dothēsetai autō): "Will be given" (δοθήσεται, dothēsetai, future passive indicative of δίδωμι, didōmi, "to give"). This signifies increased spiritual insight, deeper understanding of divine mysteries, greater capacity for truth, and further spiritual blessings. It suggests a progressive growth in divine revelation for those who respond obediently and effectively to initial light.
• and whoever does not have (καὶ ὃς οὐκ ἔχει, kai hos ouk echei): Refers to those who have heard the truth but have not truly embraced it, understood it, or allowed it to transform them. They lack true spiritual possession because their hearing was superficial or unproductive, like the various poor soils in the Sower parable.
• even what he thinks he has (καὶ ὃ δοκεῖ ἔχειν, kai ho dokei echein): "Thinks he has" (δοκεῖ ἔχειν, dokei echein). This phrase is crucial. It implies a perceived, apparent, or deceptive possession rather than a true one. It highlights spiritual self-deception, where one might have intellectual knowledge or external adherence but lacks internal, transformative appropriation of the truth. They may have heard the words, but the "word" has not taken root or been lived out.
• will be taken away from him (ἀρθήσεται ἀπ’ αὐτοῦ, arthēsetai ap’ autou): "Will be taken away" (ἀρθήσεται, arthēsetai, future passive indicative of αἴρω, airō, "to lift up," "to take away," "to remove"). This signifies the loss of even the perceived or superficial understanding. Spiritual privileges, opportunities, and the capacity to grasp further truth will diminish or vanish entirely, leaving spiritual darkness and impoverishment.

Words-group Analysis:

• "For whoever has, to him more will be given": This forms a principle of spiritual compounding interest. Active engagement with the truth leads to spiritual accretion. It is a divine principle that rewards diligence in understanding and applying revelation, ensuring spiritual flourishing.
• "and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him": This forms a principle of spiritual erosion or declension. Passive, neglectful, or superficial interaction with truth results in a spiritual deficit, eventually losing even the illusion of understanding or opportunity. It highlights the dynamic nature of faith – it cannot remain stagnant.

Luke 8 18 Bonus section

The phrase "even what he thinks he has" implies a degree of self-deception. It suggests that individuals might believe they understand spiritual matters, or possess spiritual insights, when in reality their understanding is shallow, misplaced, or entirely devoid of true spiritual power or personal transformation. This resonates with the concept of outward appearance versus inward reality, a theme prevalent throughout the Gospels in Jesus' critiques of hypocrisy. The passage further connects to the theme of judgment inherent in Jesus' ministry; not just a future judgment, but a present spiritual consequence for one's interaction with the light of God's truth. The very light that offers revelation also reveals one's readiness, or lack thereof, to receive it.

Luke 8 18 Commentary

Luke 8:18 is not about material wealth but a core spiritual dynamic. It summarizes Jesus' teaching on spiritual receptivity and responsibility following the Parable of the Sower. "Having" means to genuinely appropriate and live by the truth revealed by God, allowing it to produce spiritual fruit (as in the good soil). To such a person, more revelation, understanding, and blessing will be continually imparted, fostering deeper communion with God. Conversely, "not having" refers to one who has heard the truth but failed to internalize it, understand it deeply, or obey it. Their "possession" is merely superficial or intellectual – what they "think they have" – which holds no true transformative power. From such a person, even this seeming understanding, opportunity, or capacity for spiritual truth will be withdrawn. This principle underscores that spiritual truth requires active engagement; it is dynamic and either grows or atrophies based on one's response. It warns against spiritual complacency and emphasizes that knowledge, when unapplied, eventually diminishes its beneficial effect.

Examples:

• A disciple who diligently studies Scripture and seeks to obey its teachings will find their understanding deepening over time.
• Someone who merely attends church or hears sermons without internalizing the message may find biblical truths less impactful or comprehensible over time.