Luke 10:2
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)
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Jesus’ words here aren't just a statement about needs; they're a powerful reminder that gathering souls isn't primarily our job to orchestrate, but God's. He instructs them to "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers," highlighting that raising up more workers is a divine initiative, not just a human recruitment drive.
This isn't just about a shortage of workers; Jesus is highlighting that God alone is the true source and sender of these laborers. The urgency is palpable – not just to pray for more people, but to ask the "Lord of the harvest" to thrust them out, implying an active, divine commissioning and sending into a ready, ripe field.
Jesus uses a powerful image to describe the spiritual need around us. What makes this 'harvest' so urgent, and why is it so vast?
Jesus paints a picture of immense spiritual opportunity.
A Ripe Harvest
The 'harvest' here isn't about crops; it's about people. It represents souls ready to receive God's message and enter His kingdom. The imagery suggests ripeness – a critical moment where people are most receptive to the Gospel.
The Owner's Concern
Jesus, as the 'Lord of the harvest,' sees this immense potential. The abundance of the harvest signifies not just how many people could be reached, but how great the need is for them to hear the good news before it's too late. It’s a call to action, highlighting a window of opportunity.
Why So Few?
Jesus doesn't just point out the problem; He gives us a direct command. What does it mean to 'pray earnestly' for more workers?
The shortage of 'laborers' isn't a problem we solve alone; it's one we bring to God in prayer.
God's Initiative
Jesus emphasizes that it's the 'Lord of the harvest' who must 'send out' laborers. This means God is the one who calls, equips, and commissions people for ministry. Our role is to partner with Him through prayer, asking Him to raise up and send out those He has chosen.
The Urgency of 'Thrust Forth'
The Greek word used for 'send out' carries a sense of urgency, like being 'driven' or 'thrust' out. It’s not a passive suggestion but an urgent plea for God to actively deploy His workers into the ripe fields. This implies that God's sending is powerful and purposeful.
Praying for Competence
God doesn't just send; He qualifies. The commentaries highlight that God alone can 'qualify and commission men for this work.' Our prayers should reflect this, asking God to prepare individuals with the necessary gifts, courage, and character for the task.
Understand the original words
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.
Jesus' words about the plentiful harvest and few laborers weren't just a general observation; they were spoken at a specific moment when he was greatly expanding his ministry's reach by sending out a large group of disciples, underscoring the urgent need for more workers.
c. 28 AD— this verse
Jesus Appoints the Seventy
Jesus commissions and sends out seventy additional disciples on a mission, doubling the number of those actively spreading his message. This event is a significant expansion of his ministry's outreach.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
During Jesus' public ministry in Galilee, he consistently encountered large crowds seeking healing and teaching, illustrating the immense spiritual need and potential for response.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus Repeats Teachings
Jesus often used familiar analogies and teachings on multiple occasions, adapting them to new contexts, as seen with the 'harvest' metaphor. This reinforced core messages for his followers.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
Prior to sending the seventy, Jesus had also commissioned the twelve apostles for a similar mission, highlighting a pattern of strategic outreach and disciple-making.
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.
Jesus’ words here aren't just a statement about needs; they're a powerful reminder that gathering souls isn't primarily our job to orchestrate, but God's. He instructs them to "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers," highlighting that raising up more workers is a divine initiative, not just a human recruitment drive.
This isn't just about a shortage of workers; Jesus is highlighting that God alone is the true source and sender of these laborers. The urgency is palpable – not just to pray for more people, but to ask the "Lord of the harvest" to thrust them out, implying an active, divine commissioning and sending into a ready, ripe field.
This isn't just about a shortage of workers; Jesus is highlighting that God alone is the true source and sender of these laborers. The urgency is palpable – not just to pray for more people, but to ask the "Lord of the harvest" to , implying an active, divine commissioning and sending into a ready, ripe field.
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"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." — Jesus’ words here aren't just a statement about needs; they're a powerful reminder that gathering souls isn't primarily our job to orchestrate, but God's. He instructs them to "pray earnestly to th…
