New Living Translation
Luke 10:2
2These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
Luke 10:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.
Context of Luke 10:2
1The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
Read all of Luke 10Luke 10:2 word by word
ἔλεγεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· ὁ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς, οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι· δεήθητε οὖν τοῦ κυρίου τοῦ θερισμοῦ ὅπως ἐργάτας ἐκβάλῃ εἰς τὸν θερισμὸν αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
- said heλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- The harvestθερισμόςtherismos · harvestG2326
- trulyμένmen · on the other handG3303
- greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- butδέde · thenG1161
- the labourersἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
- fewὀλίγοςoligos · little/fewG3641
- pray yeδέομαιdeomai · to prayG1189
- the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- thatὅπωςhopōs · thatG3704
- he would send forthἐκβάλλωekballō · to expelG1544
- intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
Cross-references for Luke 10:2
- Matthew 9:37He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
- John 4:35You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
- 1 Corinthians 3:6I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
- Matthew 20:1“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
- Mark 13:34“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
- 2 Corinthians 6:1As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
- Philippians 2:25Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.
- Colossians 1:29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
- 1 Timothy 4:10This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
- 1 Timothy 5:17Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 4:5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
Commentaries on Luke 10:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2That he would send forth - ͅ . There seems to be an allusion here to the case of reapers, who, though the harvest was perfectly ripe, yet were in no hurry to cut it down. News of this is brought to the Lord of the harvest the farmer, and he is entreated to exert his authority, and hurry them out; and this he does because the harvest is spoiling for want of being reaped and gathered in. See the notes on Matthew 9:37, Matthew 9:38.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2See the notes at Matthew 9:36-37.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The harvest refers to people who need to hear the good news about Jesus and be gathered to God's presence (compare Isaiah 27:12). There was urgency to the task, just as crops have to be brought in at the exact time when they are ripe. More workers were needed.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. The harvest, &c.--(See on Mt 9:37). pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest--(See on Mt 9:38).Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 10:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 10
- 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
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries