Luke 8:18
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 22
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
3 of 22
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ὃ
that which
G3739
ὃ
that which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἔχειν
hath
G2192
ἔχειν
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
8 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
δοθήσεται
shall be given
G1325
δοθήσεται
shall be given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 22
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 22
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ
that which
G3739
ὃ
that which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
14 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔχειν
hath
G2192
ἔχειν
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
15 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ
that which
G3739
ὃ
that which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
δοκεῖ
he seemeth
G1380
δοκεῖ
he seemeth
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
18 of 22
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
ἔχειν
hath
G2192
ἔχειν
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
19 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀρθήσεται
shall be taken
G142
ἀρθήσεται
shall be taken
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
20 of 22
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
Cross References
Matthew 13:12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.Luke 19:26For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.Matthew 25:29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.John 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Hebrews 2:1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.Acts 10:33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.Acts 17:11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.1 Corinthians 14:37If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.1 Corinthians 3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
Historical Context
Ancient rabbis emphasized careful listening to teaching. Students sat at rabbis' feet, memorizing and meditating on words—hearing was active, demanding engagement. In a largely oral culture, hearing was the primary means of receiving instruction, making listening skills crucial. Jesus repeatedly emphasized hearing: 'He that hath ears to hear, let him hear' (v. 8). The principle of spiritual compound interest appears throughout Scripture—faithful stewards receive more responsibility (Luke 19:17, 26; Matthew 25:29). For Luke's audience, predominantly Gentiles joining the church, this warned against casual hearing or intellectual curiosity without obedient response. The early church faced many who attended teaching but never truly believed (Acts 8:13-24, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Proper hearing requires humble, persevering, obedient reception of God's word—the good soil response.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'take heed how ye hear' mean practically—how can you improve the quality of your hearing of God's word?
- How does the principle that spiritual receptivity compounds encourage faithful Bible study and discourage casual listening?
- What does 'that which he seemeth to have' suggest about the danger of false assurance and superficial Christianity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Jesus applies the lamp and revelation teaching with urgent command: Take heed how ye hear (blepete oun pōs akouete, βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκούετε)—beware, be careful, pay attention to the manner of your hearing. Not merely that you hear but how you hear—with what heart attitude, attentiveness, and obedience. The four soils illustrate different ways of hearing.
The principle follows: whosoever hath (hos gar an echē, ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἔχῃ)—whoever possesses spiritual understanding and receptive heart—to him shall be given (dothēsetai autō, δοθήσεται αὐτῷ) more insight, more growth, more fruit. Conversely, whosoever hath not—those with hard, shallow, or divided hearts—from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have (kai ho dokei echein arthēsetai ap' autou, καὶ ὃ δοκεῖ ἔχειν ἀρθήσεται ἀπ' αὐτοῦ). The verb dokei (seems, supposes) suggests illusion—they think they have truth but possess nothing real, and even that false security will be removed. Spiritual receptivity compounds—good hearers grow, poor hearers lose even apparent understanding. This makes proper hearing eternally critical.