Luke 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἔλεγεν
said he
G3004
ἔλεγεν
said he
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 25
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 25
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοῦ
them
G846
αὐτοῦ
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
truly
G3303
μὲν
truly
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
πολύς
is great
G4183
πολύς
is great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
8 of 25
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀλίγοι·
are few
G3641
ὀλίγοι·
are few
Strong's:
G3641
Word #:
12 of 25
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
οὖν
Therefore
G3767
οὖν
Therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
14 of 25
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
19 of 25
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
22 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 16:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.1 Thessalonians 5:12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;2 Timothy 4:5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.Mark 13:34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:Acts 22:21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.1 Timothy 4:10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Acts 11:19Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Historical Context
This preceded Jesus sending seventy disciples (some manuscripts say seventy-two) on a preaching mission (vv. 3-16). Harvest imagery was common in Jewish thought, often referring to judgment (Joel 3:13, Matthew 13:39) but here to evangelistic opportunity. First-century Palestine was agricultural—hearers would know harvest's urgency. Ripe grain left unharvested rots, making laborers critically important. Jesus' ministry demonstrated this pattern—He prayed all night before choosing the twelve (Luke 6:12), and here instructs praying before the seventy's mission. Effective evangelism requires God-sent, God-empowered workers, not merely volunteers pursuing their own agenda.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the great harvest with few laborers teach about evangelistic opportunity and the urgent need for workers?
- Why does Jesus prioritize prayer for workers rather than human recruiting strategies or organizational expansion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus tells the seventy: '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' metaphor represents people ready for salvation. 'Great' harvest with 'few' laborers creates urgency—much work, insufficient workers. The solution isn't recruiting but praying—God must 'send forth' (Greek 'ekbalē,' ἐκβάλῃ, thrust out) workers. The Greek verb implies forceful sending, suggesting God must compel workers into His harvest field. Prayer, not human strategy, mobilizes workers. The harvest belongs to God ('the Lord of the harvest'), not human organizations.