Luke 8:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

NIV: This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

NASB: Now this is the parable: the seed is the word of God.

CSB: "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

NLT: This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.

KJV: Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

NKJV: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

This explanation follows the parable of the sower. In the parable, a farmer scatters seed that lands on a hardened path, bedrock covered by a thin layer of dirt, a patch filled with thorn bushes, and good, fertile soil. The type of soil determines the yield of the seed (Luke 8:4–8).

Now, Jesus untangles the parable's metaphors to the disciples: the Twelve as well as the larger group (Luke 8:9; Mark 4:10). The key element is that the sower's seed represents God's Word.

What are the words of God? Whatever Jesus has spoken (John 12:49; 14:10). That He is the promised Messiah (Luke 4:17–21). The good news that the kingdom of God has arrived (Luke 4:43). That sinners are welcome to repent and be reconciled with God (Luke 5:30–32). But Jesus also has difficult things to say, like His followers must love and pray for their enemies, hold lightly to things of this world when others threaten us, and be merciful to those who don't deserve it—just like God the Father (Luke 6:27–36).

Luke draws the message out of the parable that everyone is responsible to listen to Jesus' words, which we have in the Bible, and allow them to grow in our hearts. The more receptive we are to God's Word, the more our faith will grow until our actions and words reflect God's. There are multiple contexts to the meaning of God's "Word" or His message, but the universal expectation is that we'll accept them and act accordingly.

Jesus says, "Now the parable is this…" Does this mean every parable has only one meaning? Considering Luke interprets the parable in a different context than Matthew and Mark—as a call to listen rather than a confirmation of the kingdom of God—that doesn't seem to be the case. While this is not a license to invent any interpretation, the Holy Spirit led the Gospel writers to find nuance in Jesus' rich, multi-faceted teaching.

For instance, Luke omits Jesus' critical comment that the disciples should understand parables by this point (Mark 4:13). One of Mark's themes is that the disciples had a difficult time understanding who Jesus was. Luke is more concerned with encouraging Theophilus to listen carefully to Jesus' words and be certain of what he hears (Luke 1:1–4).

Luke 8 includes portions of three sections of Jesus' Galilean Ministry. The women who support Jesus' ministry bridge the faithful outcasts of chapter 7 to the sower who spreads the news of God's kingdom (Luke 8:1–3). Luke 8:4–18 includes the parables of the sower and the lamp under the jar. These illustrate the importance of hearing Jesus' message with a mind to believe and obey. Luke 8:19–56 presents different faith reactions when Jesus' life, power, and authority elicit questions about His identity.

This passage continues Luke's pattern in the account of Jesus' Galilean ministry: alternating calls to discipleship with stories that describe the discipleship He expects. In Luke 6:17, Jesus transitioned from calling and training the Twelve to a more general call; in Luke 7, Jesus interacted specifically with those with less privilege in society. Chapter 8 reveals how people react when Jesus reveals who He is, mostly through miracles. In Luke 9:18–50, Jesus returns to intense discipleship of the Twelve to give them courage and faith, preparing them for the journey to Jerusalem and what they will witness there.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.