Luke 10:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 10:2 mean?

Luke 10:2 describes Jesus telling his followers that there is a large and ready "harvest"—meaning many people are open to hearing God's message—but there are not enough people willing to do the work of sharing it. Jesus urges his followers to pray that God, described as the "Lord of the harvest," would send more workers to help gather these people.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group of his disciples as he prepares to send them out in pairs to visit towns and spread his teachings. The "harvest" is a picture of people who are ready to respond to the message about God, while the "labourers" are those willing to go out and share it. Jesus emphasizes both the great need and the importance of asking God to provide more people for this work.

The Greek behind Luke 10:2

• "Harvest" (θερισμός, therismos): This Greek word means the gathering of crops, but here it is used as a metaphor for people who are ready to hear and respond to Jesus' message. The image suggests urgency and opportunity.
• "Labourers" (ἐργάται, ergatai): This word refers to workers or those who do the actual work in the fields. In context, it highlights the need for active participants, not just observers.
• "Send forth" (ἐκβάλλω, ekballō): The Greek word carries a sense of sending out with force or urgency, not just a gentle invitation. It suggests that God is the one who actively sends people into this work, not just the disciples themselves.

Why Luke 10:2 matters

• Luke 10:2 clarifies that the need for people willing to share God's message is ongoing and urgent, not just a one-time event.
• The verse shows that Jesus wants his followers to depend on God for help, not just rely on their own efforts or enthusiasm.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by setting the tone for the mission Jesus is about to give his disciples, showing both the scale of the task and the need for divine help.