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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word used for "send out" carries a powerful sense of urgency, implying God's active and forceful commissioning of workers, not just a gentle request. This highlights that bringing in the spiritual harvest isn't a passive waiting game, but requires divine intervention to "thrust forth" laborers for the immense need.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is sending out seventy of his followers on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of him into towns and villages. This instruction about the plentiful harvest and few laborers follows immediately after their commissioning, highlighting the urgency and vast need for people to spread the message of God's kingdom. These seventy are being sent out in a similar way to the twelve apostles, but in greater numbers, to prepare the way for Jesus himself.
Why does Jesus compare souls to a harvest? And what does it mean that the laborers are so few?
Jesus uses the powerful image of a harvest to describe the spiritual state of the world. A ripe harvest is ready to be gathered, signifying a prime opportunity for people to come to God. It’s a moment of immense potential! Yet, Jesus immediately contrasts this abundance with a stark reality: the laborers are few. This isn't just about a lack of people doing ministry; it's about a critical shortage of those actively participating in God's redemptive work. The urgency is palpable – a harvest left ungathered spoils, and so too can opportunities for people to find salvation pass by.
We're told to pray for more workers, but what does that prayer really entail?
The command to 'pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest' is profound. It emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of spiritual workers. He doesn't just send them; He thrusts them forth – implying a powerful, God-initiated commissioning. This isn't a passive wish; it’s an earnest plea for God to empower and direct individuals into this vital work. It means recognizing our dependence on Him and actively asking Him to raise up, equip, and send out those who will labor effectively in His kingdom.
Understand the original words
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therismos · Greek Noun
A metaphorical term used to describe the collection of souls prepared to hear and respond to the gospel message; it signifies the culmination of spiritual growth and the urgency of salvation.
ergatēs · Greek Noun
Those who work for the advancement of the Kingdom of God; it emphasizes the necessity of human participation in God's mission of spreading the gospel.
This saying about the abundant harvest and few laborers was a recurring theme for Jesus, used both when sending out the Twelve and the Seventy. It underscores the vast spiritual need and the ongoing necessity of prayer for more workers in God's mission, a truth that remains relevant for believers today.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Call to Discipleship
Jesus begins his public ministry, gathering disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God across Galilee and surrounding regions. This period saw a growing need for people to spread his message.
c. 28 AD
Sending out the Twelve Apostles
Jesus commissions the twelve apostles for their first mission to preach, heal, and cast out demons, using similar imagery of a plentiful harvest with few laborers.
c. 29 AD— this verse
Jesus Appoints and Sends the Seventy Disciples
Jesus selects seventy additional disciples and sends them out in pairs to prepare towns and villages for his arrival, highlighting the urgent need for more workers in God's mission.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The pivotal events of Jesus' death and resurrection lay the foundation for the expansion of the Christian message, creating an even greater 'harvest' for future laborers.
c. 30-33 AD
The Early Church Formation
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles and early believers, leading to rapid growth and the establishment of the Christian church.
This passage presents a very similar image of Jesus observing the crowds and feeling compassion because they are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd, directly leading to the plea for more laborers for the plentiful harvest.
John 4:35Jesus uses the same harvest imagery here, but applies it to the readiness of people's hearts to receive the gospel, highlighting the urgency and the need for workers to come and gather the spiritual crop.
2 Thessalonians 3:1This verse echoes the prayerful approach to evangelism, asking believers to pray for the rapid spread of the gospel and for the workers involved, mirroring the instruction in Luke to pray for more laborers.
Acts 1:8While not using harvest language, this passage speaks to the mission of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth, which is the ultimate goal of the 'harvest' Jesus describes and the reason for needing abundant 'laborers'.
barnesLuke 10:2: "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."
See the notes at Matthew 9:36-37 .
vincentLuke 10:2: "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."
The harvest (θερισμὸς)From θέρος, summer (compare θέρομαι, to become warm). Harvest, that which is gathered in summer. Wyc., much ripe corn is, but few workmen.PraySee on Luke 8:38.Send forth (ἐκβάλῃ)Lit., drive or thrust forth, implying the urgency of the mission. See on Mark 1:12.
The word used for "send out" carries a powerful sense of urgency, implying God's active and forceful commissioning of workers, not just a gentle request. This highlights that bringing in the spiritual harvest isn't a passive waiting game, but requires divine intervention to "thrust forth" laborers for the immense need.
Jesus is sending out seventy of his followers on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of him into towns and villages. This instruction about the plentiful harvest and few laborers follows immediately after their commissioning, highlighting the urgency and vast need for people to spread the message of God's kingdom. These seventy are being sent out in a similar way to the twelve apostles, but in greater numbers, to prepare the way for Jesus himself.
Jesus is sending out seventy of his followers on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of him into towns and villages. This instruction about the plentiful harvest and few laborers follows immediately after their commissioning, highlighting the urgency and vast need for people to spread the message of God's kingdom. These seventy are being sent out in a similar way to the twelve apostles, but in greater numbers, to prepare the way for Jesus himself.
"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." — The word used for "send out" carries a powerful sense of urgency, implying God's active and forceful commissioning of workers, not just a gentle request. This highlights that bringing in the spiritua…
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Last reviewed October 2026