And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
LUKE 8:14KJVWhat does Luke 8:14 mean?
Luke 8:14 describes people who hear Jesus’s message but, as they go about their lives, become overwhelmed by worries, the pursuit of wealth, and the enjoyment of life’s pleasures, so that their faith never matures or produces lasting results. The verse uses the image of seed choked by thorns to show how these distractions prevent spiritual growth.
In this verse, Jesus is explaining part of the Parable of the Sower to his disciples. He is talking about a specific group—those who hear his teaching but do not see it change their lives because everyday concerns and desires crowd it out. The focus is on how easily the message can be stifled by ordinary pressures and attractions, so that it never leads to the kind of fruitful life Jesus describes elsewhere.
The Greek behind Luke 8:14
- ἀγκάθαις (akanthais, “thorns”): This word refers to literal thorns or thorny plants, which in the parable represent obstacles that make growth difficult. The image highlights how certain influences can entangle and suffocate spiritual development.
- συμπνίγονται (sumpnigontai, “are choked”): This Greek word means to be crowded or pressed so tightly that growth is impossible. It emphasizes how worries, riches, and pleasures do not just distract, but actively prevent the message from taking root.
- μέριμναι (merimnai, “cares”): This word refers to anxieties or worries about daily life. The verse points out that even ordinary concerns can have a powerful effect on a person’s spiritual life.
- τελεσφορέωσιν (telesphoreōsin, “bring…to perfection”): This verb means to bring something to its intended end or maturity. The verse stresses that the message does not reach its full potential in these people’s lives.
Why Luke 8:14 matters
- Luke 8:14 clarifies that it is not outright rejection, but everyday distractions and desires, that can most often prevent spiritual growth.
- The verse connects to the broader parable by showing one of several possible responses to Jesus’s teaching, helping readers examine what might be hindering growth in their own lives.
- By listing “cares,” “riches,” and “pleasures,” Luke 8:14 highlights that obstacles to faith can come from both hardship and abundance, making the warning relevant to people in many different situations.