Luke 8:5 kjv
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luke 8:5 nkjv
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.
Luke 8:5 niv
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.
Luke 8:5 esv
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
Luke 8:5 nlt
"A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.
Luke 8 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 13:3-9 | And He told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. | Parallel account of the Sower parable. |
| Mark 4:3-9 | "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow..." | Parallel account of the Sower parable. |
| Luke 8:11 | "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." | Identifies the "seed" as the Word of God. |
| Matt 13:18-23 | "Hear then the parable of the sower..." | Jesus explains the parable. |
| Mark 4:14 | "The sower sows the word." | Jesus explains the seed is the word. |
| Matt 13:37 | He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man." | Identifies Jesus as the ultimate sower. |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | "and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." | Disciples are also sowers of the word. |
| Acts 8:4 | "Now those who were scattered went about proclaiming the word." | Believers actively spread the message. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?...And how are they to preach unless they are sent?..." | Emphasizes the necessity of proclamation. |
| 1 Cor 3:6-7 | "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." | God grants growth to human sowing. |
| 1 Pet 1:23 | "having been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God." | The Word is the imperishable seed for new birth. |
| Jas 1:21 | "...receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." | Receiving the word for salvation. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven...So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty..." | God's Word will always accomplish its purpose. |
| Psa 1:2-3 | "but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night." | Readiness of heart for the Word. |
| Heb 4:2 | "For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith..." | Hearing without faith is unproductive. |
| Eccl 11:6 | "In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper..." | Encourages continuous, widespread sowing. |
| 2 Cor 9:6 | "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." | Principle of generous sowing for a generous harvest. |
| Gen 1:11-12 | "And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed...'" | Creation principle of seed bearing fruit. |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit..." | Abiding in Christ for spiritual fruit. |
| Gal 6:7-9 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Spiritual principle of sowing and reaping. |
| Hos 10:12 | "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love..." | Sowing spiritual deeds for spiritual return. |
Luke 8 verses
Luke 8 5 Meaning
Luke 8:5 introduces the Parable of the Sower, depicting an individual engaging in the foundational act of planting. It signifies the commencement of disseminating the Word of God, highlighting the active, intentional, and public nature of this divine commission. The verse sets the stage for understanding the various responses to the proclaimed message, emphasizing that while the sowing is consistent, the reception and resulting fruit differ based on the condition of the heart, or "soil."
Luke 8 5 Context
Luke chapter 8 begins with Jesus continuing His itinerant ministry, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God accompanied by the twelve apostles and some women who supported them financially. Following a section about specific individuals accompanying Him, Jesus uses a parable—a short, illustrative story—to teach spiritual truths to the large crowds that followed Him. This particular parable, often called the Parable of the Sower, serves as a foundational teaching on how people respond to the message of the kingdom. The verse "A sower went out to sow his seed" sets the scene, immediately preceding the description of different types of ground on which the seed falls, indicating that the focus is not merely on the sower or the seed but on the reception of the seed. Historically, sowing by hand was common in first-century Galilee, with farmers scattering seed across various types of land, including paths, rocky areas, and thorny fields, before plowing. This agricultural backdrop provided a familiar and relatable context for Jesus' audience.
Luke 8 5 Word analysis
- A sower (σπείρων, speirōn): This term, a present active participle, emphasizes the ongoing action of sowing. It signifies one who casts seed. While later explained by Jesus in Matthew as "the Son of Man" (Matt 13:37), in its initial presentation here, it generally refers to anyone proclaiming the Word of God, indicating a universal role of disseminating divine truth. It's a deliberate act.
- went out (ἐξῆλθεν, exēlthen): This verb suggests an intentional and purposeful action, often implying a move from a sheltered or established place to an open or public space. For a farmer, it meant leaving the village or home to go to the fields. Spiritually, it signifies the proactive nature of gospel proclamation—it does not wait but goes forth.
- to sow (σπεῖραι, speirai): The infinitive "to sow" expresses the specific purpose of the sower's action. It underlines that the entire journey "out" was directed by this single objective: the dispersion of seed.
- his seed (τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ, ton sporon autou): The possessive "his" indicates that the sower uses what belongs to him or what has been entrusted to him. This "seed" is unequivocally identified by Jesus in Luke 8:11 as "the word of God." It implies an inherent potential for life and growth contained within the seed, independent of the soil, making its value intrinsic and eternal.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- A sower went out: This phrase underscores the active and dedicated nature of disseminating God's truth. It is not a passive waiting but an intentional movement to deliver the message to various places and people. The act of "going out" highlights outreach and proclamation, rather than merely inviting people in.
- to sow his seed: This defines the sower's specific mission. The seed, identified as the Word of God, carries inherent life-giving power. The phrase emphasizes the consistent and unchanging nature of the message itself, irrespective of the varied responses it elicits from different hearers. It implies a generous act of scattering, providing the opportunity for growth universally.
Luke 8 5 Bonus section
The agricultural imagery used in Luke 8:5 would have resonated deeply with the original audience, who lived in an agrarian society. The act of a "sower" (a farmer) "going out" "to sow his seed" was a commonplace, essential part of their livelihood. This made the spiritual analogy immediately accessible and powerfully relatable. The seemingly wasteful nature of a sower scattering seed even on pathways or rocky ground underscores divine grace: the Word is offered widely, not selectively reserved for the "good soil" only. This implies a call to evangelize broadly and faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. Furthermore, the singularity of "a sower" can symbolize the singular source and unity of the gospel message, though many individuals may participate in its spread.
Luke 8 5 Commentary
Luke 8:5 is the parabolic opener, simply describing the commencement of the sower's task. It highlights the divine initiative in providing His Word and the ongoing act of its dissemination. The core message is about the universal availability of God's Word. The sower, whether Christ Himself or His commissioned followers, generously distributes the invaluable seed, symbolizing the indiscriminate and abundant offering of God's truth to all people, regardless of their apparent spiritual receptiveness. The verse implies diligence in sharing the gospel without immediate concern for the outcome, which the rest of the parable addresses. It also implicitly underscores the need for proactive engagement in sharing the faith.