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.

LUKE 10:2KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“harvest” Greek G2326 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
  • Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
  • Mark 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

“labourers” Greek G2040 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
  • Matthew 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

“ye” Greek G1189 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
  • Acts 26:3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

“few” Greek G3641 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.