Luke 10:2

KJV1611 – Modern English

Then he said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἔλεγεν οὖν πρὸς αὐτούς, Ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι: δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ Κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ, ὅπως ἐκβάλλῃ ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.

Transliteration

Elegen oun pros them, The men therismos polys, the de ergatai oligoi: deēthēte oun of the Kyriou of the therismou, hopōs ekballē ergatas into the therismon of him.

Grammar Details

• *Elegen*: imperfect active indicative, 3rd singular - was saying/kept saying
• *oun*: inferential conjunction - therefore/so
• *pros*: preposition + accusative - to/toward
• *men*: postpositive particle marking contrast with *de* - on one hand
• *therismos*: nominative, masculine, singular - harvest
• *polys*: nominative, masculine, singular - much/great/abundant
• *de*: postpositive conjunction marking contrast with *men* - but/and/on the other hand
• *ergatai*: nominative, masculine, plural - workers/laborers
• *oligoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - few/little
• *deēthēte*: aorist passive imperative, 2nd plural - request/beseech/pray to
• *Kyriou*: genitive, masculine, singular - Lord/Master
• *therismou*: genitive, masculine, singular - harvest
• *hopōs*: conjunction + subjunctive - so that/in order that
• *ekballē*: present active subjunctive, 3rd singular - send out/thrust out
• *ergatas*: accusative, masculine, plural - workers/laborers
• *therismon*: accusative, masculine, singular - harvest

Word Meanings

• *Elegen*: was saying/kept saying/continued to say
• *pros*: to/toward/with
• *therismos*: harvest/crop/reaping
• *polys*: much/great/abundant/plentiful
• *ergatai*: workers/laborers/those who work
• *deēthēte*: request/beseech/pray to/ask earnestly
• *Kyriou*: Lord/Master/Owner
• *ekballē*: send out/thrust out/drive out/push out

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  He said to them, 'The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.'

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And{G3767} he{G3004} said unto{G4314} them,{G846} The harvest{G2326} indeed{G3303} is plenteous,{G4183} but{G1161} the laborers{G2040} are few:{G3641} pray ye{G1189} therefore{G3767} the Lord{G2962} of the harvest,{G2326} that{G3704} he send forth{G1544} laborers{G2040} into{G1519} his{G846} harvest.{G2326}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Therefore{G3767} said he{G3004}{(G5707)} unto{G4314} them{G846}, The harvest{G2326} truly{G3303} is great{G4183}, but{G1161} the labourers{G2040} are few{G3641}: pray ye{G1189}{(G5676)} therefore{G3767} the Lord{G2962} of the harvest{G2326}, that{G3704} he would send forth{G1544}{(G5725)} labourers{G2040} into{G1519} his{G846} harvest{G2326}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And he sayde vnto them the harvest is greate: but the laborers are feawe. Praye therfore the Lorde of ye harvest to send forth laborers into his hervest.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  and sayde vnto them: The haruest is greate, but the labourers are fewe. Praye therfore the LORDE of the haruest, to sende forth labourers in to his haruest.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  And he said vnto them, The haruest is great, but the labourers are fewe: pray therefore the Lord of the haruest to sende foorth labourers into his haruest.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Therefore sayde he vnto them: The haruest is great, but the labourers are fewe. Pray ye therfore the Lorde of the haruest, to sende foorth labourers into his haruest.

• Authorized 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.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  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.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  He said to them,“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Referenced Verses

• Matt 9:36-38 : 36 But when he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
• 1 Tim 4:10 : 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
• 1 Tim 4:15-16 : 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
• 2 Thess 3:1 : 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be honored, just as it is with you.
• 1 Tim 1:12-14 : 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Cor 3:6-9 : 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the growth. 7 So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the growth. 8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are workers together with God: you are God's field, you are God's building.
• Mark 16:15 : 15 And he said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
• Jer 3:15 : 15 And I will give you shepherds according to my heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
• Ezek 34:2-6 : 2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat, and clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill them that are fed: but you do not feed the flock. 4 The diseased you have not strengthened, nor have you healed that which was sick, nor have you bound up that which was broken, nor have you brought back that which was driven away, nor have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty you have ruled them. 5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became food for all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yes, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none searched or sought after them.
• John 4:35-38 : 35 Do you not say, There are still four months and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest. 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true, One sows and another reaps. 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.
• 1 Thess 5:12 : 12 And we urge you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
• 1 Tim 5:17-18 : 17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. And, The laborer is worthy of his wages.
• 2 Tim 2:3-6 : 3 Therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
• 2 Tim 4:5 : 5 But be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
• Phlm 1:1 : 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dearly beloved and fellow laborer,
• Heb 3:6 : 6 But Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm until the end.
• Rev 2:1 : 1 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands;
• Acts 8:4 : 4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
• Acts 11:19 : 19 Now those who were scattered abroad because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
• Acts 13:2 : 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
• Acts 13:4 : 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
• Acts 16:9-9 : 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. 10 After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
• Acts 20:28 : 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
• Zech 11:5 : 5 Whose owners slay them and hold themselves not guilty. And those who sell them say, 'Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich.' And their own shepherds do not pity them.
• Zech 11:17 : 17 Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock! The sword shall be against his arm and against his right eye. His arm shall be completely withered, and his right eye shall be totally blinded.
• Num 11:17 : 17 And I will come down and talk with you there, and I will take of the Spirit which is upon you, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you do not bear it yourself alone.
• Num 11:29 : 29 And Moses said to him, Are you envious for my sake? Would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!
• 1 Kgs 18:22 : 22 Then said Elijah to the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
• 1 Kgs 22:6-8 : 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I refrain? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the king’s hand. 7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him? 8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
• Ps 68:11 : 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those who published it.
• Isa 56:9-9 : 9 All you beasts of the field, come to devour, yes, all you beasts in the forest. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yes, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his territory. 12 Come, they say, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
• Mark 16:20 : 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
• Luke 9:1 : 1 Then he called his twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.
• Matt 20:1 : 1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
• Mark 13:34 : 34 For the Son of Man is like a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
• Acts 26:15-18 : 15 And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. 16 But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in which I will appear to you; 17 Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in me.
• 1 Thess 2:9 : 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: for working night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
• 1 Cor 12:28 : 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
• 1 Cor 15:10 : 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
• 2 Cor 6:1 : 1 We then, as workers together with Him, urge you also not to receive the grace of God in vain.
• Eph 4:7-9 : 7 But to each one of us grace is given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore he says, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what does it mean but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is the same also who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ:
• Phil 2:21 : 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Jesus Christ.
• Phil 2:25 : 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need.
• Phil 2:30 : 30 Because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
• Col 1:29 : 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works mightily in me.
• Col 4:12 : 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
• Acts 22:21 : 21 And he said to me, Depart, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.
• Rev 11:2-3 : 2 But leave out the court outside the temple, and do not measure it; for it is given to the Gentiles, and they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.