Devine Scripture

Matthew 9:38

What does Matthew 9:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 9:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 9:38 means

Following His assessment of the spiritual harvest, Jesus instructs His disciples to "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest." This command emphasizes the necessity of prayer in the work of God's kingdom. It teaches that the solution to the scarcity of laborers is not human effort alone, but rather earnest intercession to God, who is the ultimate owner and orchestrator of the spiritual harvest, highlighting divine initiative and human partnership.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Make prayer, then, to the Lord of the grain-fields, that he may send out workers to get in his grain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

beseech ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he may put forth workmen to His harvest.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

supplicate therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth workmen unto his harvest.

Context

This concluding verse of the chapter provides Jesus' direct, actionable instruction to His disciples. It follows immediately from His declaration of a plenteous harvest with few laborers. This command to pray for more laborers serves as a powerful call to action, not through direct recruitment by the disciples, but through humble petition to God, the Lord of the harvest. It closes the chapter with an emphasis on dependence on God for the furthering of His kingdom work.

v.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

v.38This passage

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:1

    Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified, even as alsoit iswith you;

  • Jeremiah 3:15

    And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

  • Luke 10:1

    Now 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.

  • Psalms 68:11

    The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host.

  • Luke 6:12

    And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God.

  • 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.

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