Matthew 9:37-38
Then he said to his disciples, “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 uses the image of a ripe harvest to show that people are ready and eager to receive God's truth, but the critical point is that the "laborers" are "few." This doesn't just mean there aren't enough ministers, but highlights a deeper need for willing hearts to be mobilized by God for this urgent work.
Following Jesus' healing of the blind men and the mute demon-possessed man, he surveys the crowds drawn to him and expresses a profound concern for their spiritual well-being. He tells his disciples that while the people are ready to receive his message like ripe grain, there aren't enough people to minister to them. This statement sets the stage for Jesus to instruct them to pray for more workers and then to commission the twelve apostles for their mission.
Understand the original words
therismos · Greek Noun
A metaphor for the time of gathering the spiritual fruit of God’s redemptive work. It represents the urgency of evangelism and the gathering of souls into the kingdom of God.
ergatēs · Greek Noun
Workers or those who toil. In a spiritual sense, it refers to those whom God calls and sends to actively participate in the work of spreading the Gospel and gathering souls into His kingdom.
deomai · Greek Verb
A command or intense petition directed to God. It involves persistent, earnest seeking of His will, acknowledging that all spiritual results are ultimately dependent on Him.
This saying reflects the early days of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, where the immense enthusiasm of the crowds for his message contrasted sharply with the small number of dedicated followers ready to carry on the work.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, drawing large crowds who are eager to hear his teachings and witness his miracles.
c. AD 30
Sending of the Twelve Apostles
Jesus commissions his twelve closest disciples, empowering them to heal and preach, marking the first organized effort to expand his ministry.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Later Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus continues his ministry, facing increasing opposition from religious authorities, culminating in his death and resurrection.
c. AD 33
The Great Commission
After his resurrection, Jesus instructs his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, broadening the scope of the mission beyond Israel.
Jesus uses the same 'harvest' imagery here, directly linking it to souls ready for God's kingdom and the need for laborers to bring them in.
Luke 10:2This passage records Jesus giving the same instruction to pray for more laborers, highlighting the persistent and vast need for workers in God's mission.
1 Corinthians 3:9Paul echoes the 'laborer' concept, emphasizing that believers are co-workers with God in the spiritual 'field' or building, reinforcing our role in the harvest.
Acts 13:47This verse shows the fulfillment of Jesus' command, as Paul and Barnabas are sent out to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling the 'harvest' for those far from God.
barnesMatthew 9:37: "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
The harvest truly is plenteous ... - Another beautiful image. A waving field of golden grain invites many reapers and demands haste. By the reference to the harvest here, he meant that the multitude of people that flocked to his ministry was great. The people expected the Messiah. They were prepared to receive the gospel; but the laborers were few. He directed them, therefore, to pray to…
bensonMatthew 9:37: "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;"
Matthew 9:37-38 . Then saith he to his disciples — To quicken their devotion and zeal, The harvest — Namely, of souls to be gathered in, is plenteous — The multitudes that followed Jesus, and expressed so earnest a desire of receiving his instructions, gave him occasion of making this reflection. He compared Judea and the neighbouring countries to fields covered with ripe corn, where not…
Jesus uses the image of a ripe harvest to show that people are ready and eager to receive God's truth, but the critical point is that the "laborers" are "few." This doesn't just mean there aren't enough ministers, but highlights a deeper need for willing hearts to be mobilized by God for this urgent work.
Following Jesus' healing of the blind men and the mute demon-possessed man, he surveys the crowds drawn to him and expresses a profound concern for their spiritual well-being. He tells his disciples that while the people are ready to receive his message like ripe grain, there aren't enough people to minister to them. This statement sets the stage for Jesus to instruct them to pray for more workers and then to commission the twelve apostles for their mission.
Following Jesus' healing of the blind men and the mute demon-possessed man, he surveys the crowds drawn to him and expresses a profound concern for their spiritual well-being. He tells his disciples that while the people are ready to receive his message like ripe grain, there aren't enough people to minister to them. This statement sets the stage for Jesus to instruct them to pray for more workers and then to commission the twelve apostles for their mission.
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"Then he said to his disciples, “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 uses the image of a ripe harvest to show that people are ready and eager to receive God's truth, but the critical point is that the "laborers" are "few." This doesn't just mean there aren't eno…
