Devine Scripture

Luke 10:2

What does Luke 10:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:2 means

Jesus uses the harvest image to describe spiritual urgency: many people are ready for God’s rule, but few workers are committed to reap that harvest. He tells the disciples to pray that God, the Lord of the harvest, would send more laborers. This teaches dependence on God for mission growth. Prayer is the primary strategy to enlarge God’s workforce. The verse calls the church to awareness and intercession, recognizing that human effort without divine sending is insufficient for turning hearts to God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, There is much grain ready to be cut, but not enough workers: so make prayer to the Lord of the grain-fields that he will send workers to get in the grain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

then said he unto them, `The harvest indeed <FI>is<Fi> abundant, but the workmen few; beseech ye then the Lord of the harvest, that He may put forth workmen to His harvest.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his harvest.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, The harvest indeed [is] great, but the workmen few; supplicate therefore the Lord of the harvest that he may send out workmen into his harvest.

Context

Placed right after the commissioning, this verse explains why Jesus is sending workers out: the spiritual opportunity is great. It frames the mission as both urgent and reliant on God. The prayer emphasis that follows prepares readers for the practical instructions and dangers given to the seventy, reminding them their labor depends on God’s initiative.

v.1Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.

v.2This passage

v.3Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Timothy 4:15

    Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.

  • 1 Kings 22:6

    Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.

  • 2 Timothy 4:5

    But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry.

  • 1 Kings 18:22

    Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

  • Matthew 9:36

    But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.

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