Luke 8 9

Luke 8:9 kjv

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

Luke 8:9 nkjv

Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"

Luke 8:9 niv

His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

Luke 8:9 esv

And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant,

Luke 8:9 nlt

His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 9 Meaning

Luke 8:9 recounts the pivotal moment immediately following Jesus' Parable of the Sower. His disciples, uniquely positioned to learn, approached Him privately, expressing their genuine desire to understand the deeper meaning of the parable. Their question reflects a hunger for spiritual insight beyond the surface narrative, seeking the interpretative key to Jesus' figurative teaching. This verse signifies the disciples' distinction from the general crowd and the beginning of Jesus' specific instruction for those given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Luke 8 9 Context

Luke 8:9 immediately follows Jesus' telling of the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4-8) to a large crowd. This parable describes different responses to the "word of God," foreshadowing various ways people would receive Jesus' message. The preceding verses establish a setting of public teaching where Jesus uses metaphorical language. After delivering the parable, Jesus transitions from public proclamation to private instruction for His chosen disciples. The disciples' question in verse 9 acts as the crucial link, providing the perfect opening for Jesus to explain the purpose of parables (Luke 8:10) and then offer the interpretation of the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:11-15).

Historically, parables were a common pedagogical tool in Jewish teaching. However, Jesus employed them with a distinct purpose, not merely to clarify but also to reveal spiritual truth to those prepared to receive it while veiling it from others. The disciples' act of questioning highlights their earnestness and capacity for deeper understanding, distinguishing them from the general populace who heard but did not grasp the spiritual implications. This selective revelation is central to understanding Jesus' teaching methodology in this passage.

Luke 8 9 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): This conjunction links the disciples' query directly to the preceding narrative of the parable. It indicates a continuation of the discourse, implying that the question arose immediately after the parable was spoken, as a direct response to it.
• His disciples (οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ - hoi mathētai autou):
  • Mathētai (μαθηταί): More than just students, these were apprentices, committed followers who sought to live and learn under their teacher's direct influence. This highlights their unique relationship with Jesus, setting them apart from the general crowd. They were dedicated to Him, eager to understand His teachings more deeply.
  • Autou (αὐτοῦ): "His" underscores their personal allegiance to Jesus, indicating their identity as those who follow Him and are invested in His message.
• asked Him (ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν - epērōtōn auton):
  • Epērōtōn (ἐπηρώτων): The imperfect tense here suggests a persistent or repeated asking, or perhaps a single, significant act of questioning that held a prolonged import. It conveys an earnest seeking for clarity, rather than a fleeting curiosity. This active verb denotes a direct inquiry seeking a definitive answer.
  • Auton (αὐτὸν): "Him," referring to Jesus. The object of their seeking is Christ Himself, indicating that they saw Him as the authoritative source of truth and interpretation.
• saying, “What (λέγοντες, Τί - legontes, Ti):
  • Legontes (λέγοντες): "Saying," standard introduction to direct speech.
  • Ti (Τί): "What," a direct interrogative pronoun, signaling their specific request for identification or meaning. It conveys a desire for definition and explanation.
• might this parable be?” (εἴη ἡ παραβολὴ αὕτη; - eiē hē parabolē hautē?):
  • Eiē (εἴη): The optative mood of the verb "to be" (from eimi). This mood often expresses a wish, possibility, or potential. Here, it conveys their earnest desire to understand what the parable really meant or was intended to be, not just a factual identification. It's not a casual "what is this?" but a deep, "what is the significance of this parable?" or "what purpose does it serve?" This depth of inquiry reveals their spiritual longing.
  • Parabolē (παραβολὴ): "Parable," derived from paraballō (to throw or lay alongside). It signifies a figurative saying, comparison, or illustrative story that sets one thing alongside another for the purpose of teaching, often with a veiled or deeper meaning that requires insight to grasp fully. It is a form of spiritual communication that can both reveal and conceal truth.
  • Hautē (αὕτη): "This," referring specifically to the Parable of the Sower just recounted.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And His disciples asked Him: This phrase marks a significant shift from public address to private teaching. It identifies a distinct group—the disciples—who possess an inward readiness and external access to Jesus for further understanding. This relationship is foundational for receiving spiritual revelation.
• saying, "What might this parable be?": This precise question reveals not mere curiosity, but a profound yearning for understanding. The phrase indicates that they sensed a hidden truth within the story, one not immediately obvious, and they recognized Jesus as the only one capable of unveiling it. Their seeking expresses spiritual dependency and humility before their teacher.

Luke 8 9 Bonus section

The question in Luke 8:9 highlights an essential theological point: while God's word is proclaimed to all, understanding of its deeper spiritual truths is not automatically granted. It often requires a prepared heart, humility, and active seeking, characteristic of discipleship. The term "parable" itself, parabolē, denotes something "thrown alongside" or compared. Jesus used this teaching method both to simplify profound truths for those open to learn and to hide them from those whose hearts were hardened or unwilling to change (as explained further in Lk 8:10-12 and parallel passages). This aligns with the Old Testament prophetic tradition where God's message could simultaneously illuminate and obscure (e.g., Isa 6:9-10). The disciples' inquiry shows they were moving beyond the "seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand" (Lk 8:10) of the general public.

Luke 8 9 Commentary

Luke 8:9 serves as a critical bridge between Jesus' public teaching and His private revelation. It underscores the distinction between the crowds, who hear without necessarily understanding, and the disciples, who actively seek comprehension. Their question, born of a sincere desire for spiritual illumination, marks them as genuine seekers. It highlights the principle that divine mysteries are revealed to those who earnestly inquire and are prepared to receive them, rather than simply dispensed to all.

This verse exemplifies the posture of a true learner: acknowledging their need for explanation and turning to the ultimate Teacher. The disciples were not content with mere surface-level engagement with Jesus' words; they pursued the deeper, spiritual significance. This earnest inquiry then enables Jesus to unfold the Kingdom truths (Luke 8:10), emphasizing that while others were "given parables," His committed followers were "given to know the mysteries." The verse sets the stage for understanding the twofold purpose of parables: to convey truth to receptive hearts and, conversely, to obscure it from those unwilling or unable to receive it. For us today, Luke 8:9 calls believers to cultivate a similar earnestness in studying God's Word, consistently seeking the Spirit's illumination to move beyond superficial understanding into deeper spiritual truths.

• Example for practical usage: Like the disciples, when we read the Bible and encounter passages we don't fully grasp, we should pray for understanding and seek out wise spiritual counsel, recognizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit's guidance to reveal its truth.
• Example for practical usage: A small group Bible study pausing to ask, "What is the real meaning or implication of this passage for our lives?" emulates the disciples' hunger for understanding.