Luke 8:7
What does Luke 8:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:7 means
Luke 8:7 paints the third outcome: seed sown among thorns, which grow up and choke the plants. Thorns symbolize worldly cares, riches, and pleasures that compete with obedience to God. The verse warns that legitimate hearing of the Word can still be suffocated by misplaced priorities and anxieties. The imagery indicts lifestyles where materialism and self-concern stifle spiritual growth. It calls readers to examine what occupies their hearts and to remove competing loves that prevent the gospel from bringing mature fruit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And some went among thorns, and the thorns came up with it and it had no room for growth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And other fell amidst the thorns, and the thorns having sprung up with it, did choke it.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And other some fell among thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and other fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns having sprung up with [it] choked it;
Context
Positioned between rocky ground and good soil, this image completes three failed harvests before the fruitful case. It deepens the parable’s diagnostic purpose: different inner conditions explain different responses. This verse readies the reader for the contrast with the good soil, showing there is hope if final obstacles are overcome.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 13:22
And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
- Mark 4:7
And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
- Matthew 13:7
And others fell upon the thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked them:
- Mark 4:18
And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word,
- Genesis 3:18
thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
- Luke 21:34
But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
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