Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Luke 8:4–10

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
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.
And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

7 selected · 3 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

32 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 4

  1. Mark 4:1–9Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    1AND he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

    2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

    3Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

    4And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

    5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

    6But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

    7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

    8And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

    9And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  2. Matthew 13:2–9Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

    3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

    4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

    5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

    6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

    7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

    8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

    9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

From verse 5

  1. Hebrews 2:1Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    1THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

  2. James 1:23–24Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

    24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

  3. Mark 4:15Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

  4. Luke 8:11–12Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

    12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

  5. Genesis 15:11Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

From verse 6

  1. Hebrews 3:7–8Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,

    8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

  2. Luke 8:13Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

  3. Mark 4:5–6Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

    6But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

  4. Romans 2:4–5Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

    5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  5. Amos 6:12Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    12¶ Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

From verse 7

  1. Jeremiah 4:3Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    3¶ For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

  2. Luke 8:14Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    14And 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.

  3. Genesis 3:18Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

  4. Hebrews 6:7–8Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

    8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

  5. Luke 21:34Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    34¶ And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

From verse 8

  1. Matthew 11:15Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  2. Revelation 2:11Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  3. Revelation 2:7Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

  4. Mark 4:20Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

  5. Mark 4:8Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    8And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

From verse 9

  1. Mark 4:10Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    10And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

  2. Matthew 13:10Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

  3. Matthew 13:18Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    18¶ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

  4. Hosea 6:3Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

  5. John 15:15Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

From verse 10

  1. Isaiah 6:9Rank 1 from verse 10
    Open

    9¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

  2. Mark 4:11Rank 2 from verse 10
    Open

    11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

  3. Matthew 11:25Rank 3 from verse 10
    Open

    25¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  4. Jeremiah 5:21Rank 4 from verse 10
    Open

    21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

  5. Isaiah 44:18Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:4

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gathered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of gather, meaning to collect, bring together, or assemble.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spake

↗

The past tense of speak: uttered or expressed words, addressed someone, or communicated a matter in words.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

parable

↗

A figurative saying, comparison, or narrative that sets one matter beside another to convey meaning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:5

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sow

↗

Sense 1: To scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result. Sense 3: An adult female swine.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seed

↗

Sense 1: The reproductive substance of a plant or creature, especially what is sown to produce after its kind. Sense 2: Offspring, descendants, or lineage. Sense 3: A beginning, source, or thing sown that produces a result.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

sowed

↗

Sense 1: Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of sow, meaning to scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

side

↗

Sense 1: A lateral part, edge, or surface. Sense 2: A party or position in a dispute.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fowls

↗

1. Winged creatures, especially birds. 2. In the law's phrase “fowls that creep,” winged creeping creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

devoured

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of devour, meaning to eat greedily; to consume, destroy, or waste rapidly and completely.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:6

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rock

↗

1. A mass of stone or a rocky place. 2. Figuratively, a secure refuge, strength, foundation, or cause of stumbling. 3. A title or figure for God or Christ.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

withered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of wither, meaning to dry up, fade, lose freshness or strength, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

moisture

↗

Wetness or liquid present in something.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:7

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thorns

↗

Sense 1: Sharp spines or prickles. Sense 2: Thorn-bearing plants and figures of things that prick, obstruct, or grieve.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

choked

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of choke, meaning to hinder growth or fruitfulness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:8

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ground

↗

Sense 1: The soil, earth, land, floor, or supporting surface. Sense 2: Figuratively, a basis, support, or foundation. Sense 3: Crushed or reduced to small particles by grinding.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

bare

↗

1. As the past tense of bear, brought forth or gave birth to offspring; also produced fruit or other increase. 2. Carried, conveyed, supported, lifted, or sustained a person, object, or load. 3. Bore, endured, or took upon oneself a loss, infirmity, sin, or other burden. 4. Gave witness or record; testified. 5. Exercised rule or authority. 6. As an adjective, uncovered, naked, exposed, stripped, or without covering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fruit

↗

Sense 1: The produce borne by plants or the land. Sense 2: Offspring or increase. Sense 3: A result, product, consequence, character, or work proceeding from something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cried

↗

1. Called out, shouted, proclaimed, warned, wailed, or otherwise uttered, often loudly. 2. Appealed, prayed, complained, or called for help, justice, or attention.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ears

↗

Plural form of ear. Sense 1: The organ of hearing. Sense 2: The seed-bearing head of grain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hear

↗

Sense 1: To perceive sound or spoken words. Sense 2: To receive or learn by report. Sense 3: To listen to, regard, or heed. Sense 4: To attend favourably to a request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:9

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

parable

↗

A figurative saying, comparison, or narrative that sets one matter beside another to convey meaning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 8:10

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

kingdom

↗

The rule, royal authority, government, realm, territory, subjects, or dominion of a king.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seeing

↗

1. As a connective, because, since, or in view of a stated fact. 2. Perceiving with the eyes; observing. 3. Recognizing, discerning, understanding, or foreseeing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

see

↗

Sense 1: To perceive or behold with the eyes or in a vision. Sense 2: To observe, examine, discover, ascertain, consider, understand, know, or recognize. Sense 3: To visit, meet, converse with, or be in the presence of. Sense 4: To experience, undergo, endure, or enjoy. Sense 5: To attend to, take care, ensure, or beware.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hearing

↗

Sense 1: The act or faculty of perceiving sound. Sense 2: Audience, attention, or an opportunity to be heard. Sense 3: The range within which sound can be heard.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

4¶ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

Selected passage

5A 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.

Selected passage

6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

Selected passage

7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

Selected passage

8And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Selected passage

9And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

Selected passage

10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Selected passage

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.