Matthew 9:38

Matthew 9:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
• New International Version (NIV)Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Context of Matthew 9:38

36When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Matthew 9:38 word by word

δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ ὅπως ἐκβάλῃ ἐργάτας εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Pray yeδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• of the harvestθερισμόςtherismos · harvestG2326
• thatὅπωςhopōs · thatG3704
• he will send forthἐκβάλλωekballō · to expelG1544
• labourersἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846

Cross-references for Matthew 9:38

• Luke 6:12Now at this time Jesus went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.
• Acts 13:2While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.”
• 2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brothers and sisters, pray continually for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be honored [triumphantly celebrated and glorified], just as it was with you;
• Matthew 10:1Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
• John 20:21Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].”
• Ephesians 4:11And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct],
• Psalms 68:11The Lord gives the command [to take Canaan]; The women who proclaim the good news are a great host (army);
• Jeremiah 3:15“Then [in the final time] I will give you [spiritual] shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and [true] understanding.
• Micah 5:7Then the remnant of Jacob Shall be among many peoples Like dew from the Lord, Like showers on the grass [a source of blessing] Which [come suddenly and] do not wait for man Nor delay for the sons of men.
• Luke 10:1Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every city and place where He was about to go.
• Acts 8:4Now those [believers] who had been scattered went from place to place preaching the word [the good news of salvation through Christ].
• 1 Corinthians 12:28So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues.

Commentaries on Matthew 9:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38That he will send forth laborers - , that he would thrust forth laborers. Those who are fittest for the work are generally most backward to the employment. The man who is forward to become a preacher knows little of God, of human nature, or of his own heart. It is, God's province to thrust out such preachers as shall labor; and it is our duty to entreat him to do so. A minister of Christ is represented as a day-laborer: he comes into the harvest, not to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 35-38Verses 35-38 Jesus visited not only the great and wealthy cities, but the poor, obscure villages; and there he preached, there he healed. The souls of the meanest in the world are as precious to Christ, and should be so to us, as the souls of those who make the greatest figure. There were priests, Levites, and scribes, all over the land; but they were idol shepherds, Zec 11:17; therefore Christ had compassion on the people as sheep scattered, as men…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 37-38Harvest refers to the great number of people who are ready to hear and respond to God’s message (see also Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43; Mark 4:26–29; John 4:35–38; Revelation 14:15–20). the Lord of the harvest: God is the true master of the harvest. All ministries are under his call (see Matthew 23:8–10, 13). So Jesus encourages his disciples to pray for God to send out more workers.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3838. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest--the great Lord and Proprietor of all. Compare Joh 15:1, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman." that he will send forth labourers into his harvest--The word properly means "thrust forth"; but this emphatic sense disappears in some places, as in Mt 9:25, and Joh 10:4--"When He putteth forth His own sheep." (See on Mt 4:1).Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 9:38

• Jesus, the Christ
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Bridechamber
• Cheer
• Comfort
• Daughter
• Eat
• Garment
• Harvest
• Hem
• Issue
• Mean

Commentaries on Matthew 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings