Luke 8:15
What does Luke 8:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:15 means
Luke 8:15 interprets the good ground: those with an honest and good heart hear the word, retain it, and produce fruit with patience. “Honest” suggests sincerity; “good” indicates morally fertile character. Retaining the word implies both memory and obedience, while “fruit with patience” stresses gradual, persevering growth. The verse thus commends receptive hearts that welcome the gospel, cultivate it through steadfast practice, and wait faithfully for the Spirit’s increase. It offers the reader a portrait of mature Christian discipleship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And those in the good earth are those who, having given ear to the word, keep it with a good and true heart, and in quiet strength give fruit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And that in the good ground: These are they, who in an upright and good heart, having heard the word, do retain <FI>it<Fi> , and bear fruit in continuance.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But that on the good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it and bring forth fruit in patience.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But that in the good ground, these are they who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Context
This verse concludes the parable’s interpretive section by offering the positive model after three failed responses. It contrasts rootless enthusiasm and thorn-choked hears with patient, fruitful reception. The chapter now moves from diagnosis to broader principles about revelation and responsibility, reinforcing the call to attentive hearing.
v.14And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
v.15This passage
v.16And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they that enter in may see the light.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 1:4
And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
- Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
- Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
- Colossians 1:10
to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
- Matthew 24:13
But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
- Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
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