Matthew 9:37

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Matthew 9:37 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

King James Version KJV

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

American Standard Version ASV

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then he said to his disciples, There is much grain but not enough men to get it in.

Free Bible Version FBV

He told his disciples, “The harvest is large, but there are only a few workers.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then saide he to his disciples, Surely the haruest is great, but the labourers are fewe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

then saith he to his disciples, 'The harvest indeed [is] abundant, but the workmen few;

World English Bible WEB

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then saith he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then he gave this illustration to us disciples: “The people who are ready to receive my message are like a field that is ready to be harvested {for people to harvest}. But there are only a few of you who are teaching people my message.

Plain English Version PEV

Jesus said to his followers, “Lots of people need to hear about me. They are ready to listen, but nobody is telling them. They are like a big crop of food plants on a farm that are ready for the workers to get their seeds for food. But there are only a few workers. The farmer needs a lot of workers to bring all those seeds into the shed, and in the same way I need a lot of workers to tell people about me, and bring them to God.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 9:37

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Matthew 9:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK τοτε λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου ο μεν θερισμος πολυς οι δε εργαται ολιγοι

τοτε tote G5119 then Adv

λεγει legō G3004 to say Verb-PAI-3S

τοις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPM

μαθηταις mathētēs G3101 disciple Noun-DPM

αυτου autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GSM

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

μεν men G3303 on the other hand Particle

θερισμος therismos G2326 harvest Noun-NSM

πολυς polus G4183 much Adj-NSM

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

δε de G1161 then Conj

εργαται ergatēs G2040 worker Noun-NPM

ολιγοι oligos G3641 little/few Adj-NPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 9:37

τοτε tote G5119 "then" Adv

The Greek word for then, used to describe a specific point in time, as seen in Matthew 2:17 and Galatians 4:8. It can refer to concurrent or consequent events, and is often used to introduce a new action or event.

Definition: τότε, demonstr. adv. of time, correlat. of ὅτε, then, at that time; __(a) of concurrent events: Mat.2:17 3:5 and freq., Rom.6:21; before ptcp., Mat.2:16, Gal.4:8; opposite to νῦν, Gal.4:29, Heb.12:26; ὁ τ. κόσμος, 2Pe.3:6; __(b) of consequent events, then, thereupon: Mat.2:7 3:5 4:1 and freq., Luk.11:26; τ. οὖν, Jhn.11:14 19:1, 16 20:8; εὐθέως τ., Act.17:14; ὅτε . . . τ., Mat.13:26 21:1, Jhn.12:16; ἀπὸ τ., Mat.4:17 16:21 26:16, Luk.16:16; __(with) of things future: Mat.24:28, 40 25:1, 31ff.; opposite to ἄρτι, 1Co.13:12; καὶ τ., Mat.7:23, Mrk.13:21, Luk.21:27, 1Co.4:5, al.; ὅταν . . . τ., Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, Luk.5:35, 1Th.5:3, al. (more frequently in Mt than in the rest of the NT). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 156 NT verses. KJV: that time, then See also: 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 7:5; Hebrews 10:7.

λεγει legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAI-3S

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

τοις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μαθηταις mathētēs G3101 "disciple" Noun-DPM

A disciple is a learner or pupil, like the twelve who followed Jesus, as mentioned in Matthew 10:1 and Luke 8:9. This word is used to describe someone who follows a teacher or leader. It is often used in the context of Jesus' teachings.

Definition: μαθητής, -οῦ, ὁ (μανθάνω), [in LXX only as seel. (A) in Jer.13:21 20:11 26(46):9 * ;] a disciple: opposite to διδάσκαλος, Mat.10:24, Luk.6:40; Ἰωάννου, Mat.9:14, Luk.7:18, Jhn.3:25; τ. Φαρισσίων, Mat.22:16, Mrk.2:18, Luk.5:33; Μωυσέως, Jhn.9:28; Ἰησοῦ, Luk.6:17 7:11 19:37, Jhn.6:66 7:3 19:38; esp. the twelve, Mat.10:1 11:1, Mrk.7:17, Luk.8:9, Jo 2:2, al.; later, of Christians generally, Act.6:1, 2 7 9:19, al.; τ. κυρίου, Act.9:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 252 NT verses. KJV: disciple See also: Acts 1:15; John 21:23; Matthew 13:10.

αυτου autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GSM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

μεν men G3303 "on the other hand" Particle

This word means 'on the other hand' and is often used to contrast ideas. It appears in the New Testament, like in John and Romans, to show a difference between two things. It's usually translated as 'even' or 'indeed'.

Definition: μέν, conjunctive particle (originally a form of μήν), usually related to a following δέ or other adversative conjunction, and distinguishing the word or clause with which it stands from that which follows. It is generally untranslatable and is not nearly so frequent in NT as in cl. Like δέ, it never stands first in a clause. __1. Answered by δέ or some other particle: μὲν . . . δέ, indeed . . . but, Mat.3:11, Luk.3:16, al.; with pronouns, ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, one . . . another, Mat.21:35, al.; pl., Php.1:16, 17; ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δὲ . . . ὃ δέ, some . . . some . . . some, Mat.13:8; τοῦτο μὲν . . . τοῦτο δέ, partly . . . partly, Heb.10:33; μὲν . . . ἔπειτα, Jhn.11:6; μὲν . . . καί, Luk.8:5. __2. μέν solitarium, answered by no other particle: πρῶτον μέν (Bl., l.with), Rom.1:8 3:2, 1Co.11:18; μὲν οὖν in narrative, summing up what precedes or introducing something further (Bl., §78, 5), so then, rather, nay rather: Luk.11:28 (WH, μενοῦν), Act.1:6 9:31, al.; μὲν οὖν γε (Php.3:8, WH): see: μενοῦνγε. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 194 NT verses. KJV: even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; Hebrews 3:5; 1 Peter 1:20.

θερισμος therismos G2326 "harvest" Noun-NSM

The Greek word for harvest, referring to the act or time of reaping a crop, as seen in Jesus' parables in Matthew 13:30 and 39. It can also mean the crop itself, symbolizing a spiritual harvest.

Definition: θερισμός, -οῦ, ὁ (θερίζω), [in LXX chiefly for קָצִיר ;] harvest; __(a) the act: Jhn.4:35; __(b) the time: fig., Mat.13:30, 39, Mrk.4:29 __(with) the crop: figuratively, Mat.9:37-38, Luk.10:2, Rev.14:15.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: harvest See also: John 4:35; Matthew 9:38; Revelation 14:15.

πολυς polus G4183 "much" Adj-NSM

This word means much or many, and is used to describe things like large crowds, as in Mark 5:24, or a great amount of time, as in Matthew 25:19. It emphasizes the magnitude of something.

Definition: πολύς, πολλή, πολύ, [in LXX chiefly for רַב and cognate forms ;] __1. as adj., much, many, great, of number, space, degree, value, time, etc.: ἀριθμός, Act.11:21; ὄχλος, Mrk.5:24; θερισμός, Mat.9:37; χόρτος, Jhn.6:10; χρόνος, Mat.25:19; γογγυσμός, Jhn.7:12; πόνος, Col.4:13; δόξα, Mat.24:30; σιγή, Act.21:40; pl., προφῆται, Mat.13:17; ὄχλοι, Mat.4:25; δαιμόνια, Mrk.1:34; δυνάμεις, Mat.7:22, __2. As subst., pl. masc, πολλοί, many (persons): Mat.7:22, Mrk.2:2, al.; with genitive partit., Mat.3:7, Luk.1:16, al.; before ἐκ, Jhn.7:31, Act.17:12; with art., οἱ π., the many, Mat.24:12, Rom.12:5, 1Co.10:17, 33 2Co.2:17; opposite to ὁ εἶς (Lft., Notes, 291), Rom.5:15, 19; neut. pl., πολλά: Mat.13:3, Mrk.5:26, al.; accusative with adverbial force, Mrk.1:45, Rom.16:6 (Deiss., LAE, 317), 1Co.16:12, Jas.3:2, al.; neut. sing., πολύ: Luk.12:48; adverbially, Mrk.12:27, al.; πολλοῦ (genitive pret.), Mat.26:9; with compar. (Bl., §44, 5), π. σπουδαιότερον, 2Co.8:22; πολλῷ πλείους, Jhn.4:41. Compar., πλείων, neut., πλεῖον and πλέον (see WH, App., 151), pl., πλείονες, -ας, -α, contr., πλείους, -ω (cf. Mayser, 69), more, greater; __1. as adj.: Jhn.15:2, Act.18:2o, Heb.3:3; before παρά, Heb.11:4 (cf. Westc, in l. Was ΠΛΙΟΝΑ here a primitive error for ΗΔΙΟΝΑ ?); pi., Act.13:31, al.; with genitive compar., Mat.21:36; with num. (ἤ of comp. omitted), Act.4:22 24:11, al. __2. As subst., οἱ π., the greater number: Act.10:32 27:12, 1Co.10:5 15:6; also (Bl., §44, 3) others, more, the more: 2Co.2:6 4:15, Php.1:14; πλείονα, Luk.11:53; πλειον, πλέον, Mat.20:10, 2Ti.3:9; with genitive comp., Mk 12:43, Luk.21:3; π. Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε, Mat.12:41; adverbially, Act.4:17 20:9 24:4. __3. As adv., πλεῖον: before ἤ, Luk.9:13; with genitive comp., Mat.5:20; πλείω: with num., Mat.26:53. Superl., πλεῖστος, -η, -ον, __(a) prop., most: Mat.11:20 21:8; adverbially, τὸ π., 1Co.14:27; __(b) elative (M, Pr., 79), very great: ὄχλος π., Mrk.4:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 386 NT verses. KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly See also: 1 Corinthians 1:26; Acts 23:21; 1 Peter 1:3.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

εργαται ergatēs G2040 "worker" Noun-NPM

This word means worker or laborer, often describing a field worker or husbandman. In the Bible, it is used to describe various types of workers, including Christian teachers and preachers.

Definition: ἐργάτης, -ου, ὁ (ἐργάζομαι, which see), [in LXX: Wis.17:17, Sir.19:1 40:18, 1Ma.3:6 * ;] __1. prop., a field labourer, husbandman: Mat.9:37-38 20:1-2, 8, Luk.10:2, Jas.5:4 (cf. Wis, l.with). __2. Generally, a workman, labourer: Mat.10:10, Luk.10:7, Act.19:25 (opposite to τεχνίτης), 1Ti.5:18; of Christian teachers, 2Co.11:13, Php.3:2, 2Ti.2:15. __3. a worker, doer: τ. ἀδικίας, Luk.13:27 (cf. 1Mac, l.with).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: labourer, worker(-men) See also: 1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 13:27; James 5:4.

ολιγοι oligos G3641 "little/few" Adj-NPM

This word means something or someone is small or few in number. In the Bible, it appears in Matthew 9:37 and Luke 10:2, describing a small harvest of workers. It can also mean a short time or brief period.

Definition: ὀλίγος, -η, -ον (on οὐχ ὁλ., see infr.), [in LXX chiefly for מָעַט ;] of number, quantity, size, few, little, small, slight: Mat.9:37 15:34, Mrk.6:5 8:7, Luk.10:2 12:48 (sc. πληγάς, opposite to πολλάς), 1Ti.5:23, Heb.12:10, Rev.3:4 12:12; οὐκ ὀ. (in the best uncials written οὐκ ὁ.; see WH, App., 143; M, Pr., 44; Thackeray, Gr., 126 f.), Act.12:18 14:28 15:2 (with genitive part.) Act.17:4, 12 19:23-24 27:20; pl., absol., Mat.7:14 20:16 (WH, txt., RV, om.) Mat.22:14, Luk.13:23, 1Pe.3:20. Neut. sing (τὸ) ὀ.: Luk.7:47, 2Co.8:15; πρὸς ὀλίγον, 1Ti.4:8, Jas.4:14; ἐν ὀ., Act.26:28-29 (with little effort; see Page, in l); id., in brief, Eph.3:3; adverbially, ὀλίγον, of time, Mrk.6:31, 1Pe.1:6 5:10, Rev.17:10; of space, Mrk.1:19, Luk.5:3; pl., ὀλίγα, Luk.10:42, Rev.2:14; ἐπ᾽ ὀλίγα, Mat.25:21, 23; δι᾽ ὀλίγων, in few words, briefly, 1Pe.5:12 (cf. Plat., Legg., vi, 778 e).† **ὀλίγως, adv. (ὀλίγος), [in Aq.: Isa.10:7 * ;] a little, almost, all but: 2Pe.2:18.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 42 NT verses. KJV: + almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while See also: 1 Peter 1:6; Luke 5:3; 1 Peter 3:20.

Study Notes — Matthew 9:37

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 9:37 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 9:37
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 9:37
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 9:37
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 9:37
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 9:37
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 9:37
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 9:37
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 9:37
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 9:37
Sermons on Matthew 9:37

Context — The Lord of the Harvest

35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. 36When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

37Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 10:2	And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.
2	Mark 16:15	And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
3	1 Corinthians 3:9	For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
4	John 4:35–36	Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.
5	Matthew 28:19	Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
6	2 Corinthians 6:1	As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
7	Luke 24:47	and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
8	Acts 16:9	During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
9	Psalms 68:11	The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it:
10	1 Thessalonians 5:12–13	But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Matthew 9:37 Summary

[Jesus is saying that there are many people who are ready to hear about God's love and turn their lives over to Him, but there aren't enough people sharing this message. This is why He tells His disciples to ask God to send more workers into the harvest, as seen in Matthew 9:38. We can be a part of God's harvest by praying for and supporting those who are spreading the gospel, and by considering our own role in sharing God's love with others (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). By doing so, we can help bring in a great harvest of people who come to know and love Jesus.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by 'the harvest is plentiful' in Matthew 9:37?

Jesus is referring to the many people who are ready to hear the gospel and turn to Him, as seen in the crowds that gathered to hear Him teach and preach in Matthew 9:35-36. This idea is also echoed in John 4:35, where Jesus says, 'the fields are already white for harvest.'

Why does Jesus say 'the workers are few'?

Jesus is highlighting the need for more laborers to spread the gospel and care for the spiritual needs of the people, as the crowds were 'harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd' in Matthew 9:36. This emphasizes the importance of prayer and asking God to raise up workers, as seen in Matthew 9:38.

How does this verse relate to our lives as Christians today?

This verse reminds us that the need for gospel workers is still great today, and we are called to pray for and support those who are spreading the gospel, as well as to consider our own role in God's harvest, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.

What is the significance of Jesus' compassion for the crowds in Matthew 9:36?

Jesus' compassion for the crowds shows His heart of love and concern for the lost and hurting, and it should inspire us to have a similar heart of compassion, as seen in Matthew 9:36 and Luke 15:11-32.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can be a part of God's harvest, whether through prayer, giving, or serving?
How can I cultivate a heart of compassion for those around me who are hurting or lost?
What are some spiritual 'fields' in my life where I can pray for a harvest of righteousness, as seen in Hosea 10:12?
How can I balance the desire to see many people come to know Christ with the need to nurture and care for those who are already believers, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 9:37

Then saith he unto his disciples,.... His heart being drawn out, and filled with pity to these poor people, upon observing the miserable and sad condition they were in; he turns himself to his

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 9:37

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 9:37

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Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 9:37

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Ver. 37. But the labourers few] Such as will labour to lassitude (εργαται) in preaching Christ crucified; few such.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 9:37

(37) Then saith he unto his disciples.—No where in the whole Gospel record is there a more vivid or more touching instance of the reality of our Lord’s human emotions. It is not enough for Him to feel compassion Himself. He craves the sympathy of His companions and disciples, and needs even their fellowship in prayer. A great want lies before Him, and He sees that they are the right agents to meet it, if only they will pray to be made so; or, to put the case more clearly, if only they will pray that the work may be done, whether they themselves are or are not the doers of it. The harvest truly is plenteous.—This is the first occurrence in the record of the first three Gospels of the figure which was afterwards to be expanded in the two parables of the Sower and the Tares, and to reappear in the visions of the Apocalypse (Revelation 14:14-19). We find, however, from the Gospel of St. John—which here, as so often elsewhere, supplies missing links and the germs of thoughts afterwards developed—that it was not a new similitude in our Lord’s teaching. Once before, among the alien Samaritans, He had seen the fields white as for the spiritual harvest of the souls of men, and had spoken of him that soweth and him that reapeth (John 4:35-36).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 9:37

Verse 37. The harvest] The souls who are ready to receive the truth are very numerous; but the labourers are few. There are multitudes of scribes, Pharisees, and priests, of reverend and right reverend men; but there are few that work. Jesus wishes for labourers, not gentlemen, who are either idle drones, or slaves to pleasure and sin, and nati consumere fruges. "Born to consume the produce of the soil." It was customary with the Jews to call their rabbins and students reapers; and their work of instruction, the harvest. So in Idra Rabba, s. 2. "The days are few; the creditor is urgent; the crier calls out incessantly; and the reapers are few." And in Pirkey Aboth: "The day is short, the work great, the workmen idle, the reward abundant, and the master of the household is urgent." In all worldly concerns, if there be the prospect of much gain, most men are willing enough to labour; but if it be to save their own souls, or the souls of others, what indolence, backwardness, and carelessness! While their adversary, the devil, is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; and a careless soul, and especially a careless minister is his especial prey. The place of the harvest is the whole earth: it signifies little where a man works, provided it be by the appointment, in the Spirit, and with the blessing of God.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 9:37

37. The harvest truly is plenteous, &c.] The same expression occurs Luke 10:2 on the occasion of sending forth the Seventy, cp. also John 4:35, “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest.”

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 9:37

The harvest truly is plenteous ... - Another beautiful image. A waving field of golden grain invites many reapers and demands haste.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 9:37

37. Then saith he — Probably on more occasions than one in his circuit.

Sermons on Matthew 9:37

	Sermon	Description
	Make My Life a Prayer to You by Keith Green	In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of apathy and lack of belief among Christians. He highlights the barrenness of altars and the lack of fire in the hearts of believe
	Revival Series 5 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the downfall of those who have gained wealth and power through dishonest means. He emphasizes that their kingdom will eventually perish, whil
	You Don't Have to Quit by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the difficult times that people are facing both personally and nationally. He emphasizes the importance of Christian friends and the support a
	The Revival We Need Quote by Keith Green	This sermon emphasizes the critical need for soul-winning and revival in churches, highlighting the alarming statistics of churches failing to bring even one soul to Christ despite
	The Awakening of 1727 Onward by J. Edwin Orr	This sermon delves into the historical context of the Evangelical Revival in Great Britain and the Great Awakening in America during the 18th century, highlighting the societal dep
	Hell's Best Kept Secret (At Texas A&m) by Kirk Cameron	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel with others. He suggests starting conversations with everyday topics and then transitioning to spiritua
	Outspoken! by Andrew Strom	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the lack of revival in the Western world, particularly in America, despite being perceived as leaders with abundant resources. They highlight