Luke 8:5
New International Version
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

New Living Translation
“A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it.

English Standard Version
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Berean Standard Bible
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Berean Literal Bible
"The one sowing went out to sow his seed. And in his sowing, some indeed fell along the road, and it was trampled upon, and the birds of the air devoured it.

King James Bible
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

New King James Version
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.

New American Standard Bible
“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

NASB 1995
“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.

NASB 1977
“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road; and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the air ate it up.

Legacy Standard Bible
“The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.

Amplified Bible
“The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

Christian Standard Bible
“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

American Standard Version
The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

Contemporary English Version
A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. While the farmer was doing this, some of the seeds fell along the road and were stepped on or eaten by birds.

English Revised Version
The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"A farmer went to plant his seeds. Some seeds were planted along the road, were trampled, and were devoured by birds.

Good News Translation
"Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it up.

International Standard Version
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, were trampled on, and birds from the sky ate them up.

Majority Standard Bible
?A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it.

NET Bible
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it.

New Heart English Bible
"The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.

Webster's Bible Translation
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

Weymouth New Testament
"The sower," He said, "goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the birds of the air come and peck it up.

World English Bible
“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“The sower went forth to sow his seed, and in his sowing some indeed fell beside the way, and it was trodden down, and the birds of the sky devoured it.

Berean Literal Bible
"The one sowing went out to sow his seed. And in his sowing, some indeed fell along the road, and it was trampled upon, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Young's Literal Translation
'The sower went forth to sow his seed, and in his sowing some indeed fell beside the way, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the heaven did devour it.

Smith's Literal Translation
The sower went out to sow his seed; and in his sowing, some truly fell by the way, and was trodden down, and the fowls of heaven devoured it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell beside the way; and it was trampled and the birds of the air devoured it.

New American Bible
“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up.

New Revised Standard Version
“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sower went out to sow his seed. And when he sowed, some fell on the roadside; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds ate it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, there was that which fell on the side of the road and it was trampled and a bird ate it.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The sower went forth to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden down, and the birds of the air ate it up.

Godbey New Testament
A sower went out to sow his seed. And while he was sowing, some fell by the way, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Haweis New Testament
A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell by the road side, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it up.

Mace New Testament
a husbandman went out to sow his corn: and as he was sowing, some fell upon the beaten road, which was crush'd under foot, or devoured by the birds.

Weymouth New Testament
"The sower," He said, "goes out to sow his seed; and as he sows, some of the seed falls by the way-side, and is trodden upon, or the birds of the air come and peck it up.

Worrell New Testament
"The sower went forth to sow his seed. And in his sowing some fell by the wayside; and it was trodden down, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

Worsley New Testament
A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he was sowing, some fell by the way-side, and was trodden down, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Sower
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told them this parable: 5 A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:3-9
And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ...

Mark 4:3-9
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. / And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. ...

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

Jeremiah 4:3
For this is what the LORD says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your unplowed ground, and do not sow among the thorns.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. / He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. ...

James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

John 12:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. / Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness.

Matthew 13:18-23
Consider, then, the parable of the sower: / When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. / The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ...

Mark 4:14-20
The farmer sows the word. / Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. / Some are like the seeds sown on rocky ground. They hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ...

Isaiah 28:23-29
Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say. / Does the plowman plow for planting every day? Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil? / When he has leveled its surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots, and rye within its border. ...

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.


Treasury of Scripture

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

sower.

Luke 8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Matthew 13:3,4,18,19,24-26,37
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; …

Mark 4:2-4,15,26-29
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, …

fell.

Luke 8:12
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Hebrews 2:1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

James 1:23,24
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: …

it.

Psalm 119:118
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

and the.

Genesis 15:11
And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

Jump to Previous
Additions Air Assembling Birds Crowd Devoured Dropped Farmer Fell Foot Forth Fowls Great Heaven Parable Receiving Road Scattering Seed Side Sky Sow Sowed Sower Trampled Trodden Way Wayside
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Additions Air Assembling Birds Crowd Devoured Dropped Farmer Fell Foot Forth Fowls Great Heaven Parable Receiving Road Scattering Seed Side Sky Sow Sowed Sower Trampled Trodden Way Wayside
Luke 8
1. Women minister unto Jesus of their own means.
4. Jesus, after he had preached from place to place,
9. explains the parable of the sower,
16. and the candle;
19. declares who are his mother, and brothers;
22. rebukes the winds;
26. casts the legion of demons out of the man into the herd of pigs;
37. is rejected by the Gadarenes;
43. heals the woman of her bleeding;
49. and raises Jairus's daughter from death.














A sower
The term "sower" in this parable is significant, as it represents anyone who spreads the Word of God. In the Greek, the word used is "σπείρων" (speirōn), which means one who scatters seed. Historically, sowing was a common agricultural practice in ancient Israel, and Jesus often used familiar imagery to convey spiritual truths. The sower symbolizes the preacher, teacher, or any believer who shares the gospel message, emphasizing the active role of spreading God's Word.

went out
The phrase "went out" indicates intentionality and purpose. The Greek word "ἐξῆλθεν" (exēlthen) suggests a deliberate action. This reflects the mission-oriented nature of the Christian life, where believers are called to go out into the world to share the gospel. It underscores the proactive nature of evangelism, reminding us that the message of Christ is not to be kept within but shared with others.

to sow his seed
The act of sowing "his seed" refers to the dissemination of the Word of God. The seed is a metaphor for the gospel, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. In the context of first-century Palestine, sowing was a labor-intensive task, requiring patience and faith in the growth process. This imagery highlights the responsibility of believers to faithfully share the gospel, trusting God for the increase.

As he was sowing
This phrase suggests an ongoing action, indicating that the sower is actively engaged in his task. The continuous nature of sowing reflects the persistent and consistent effort required in sharing the gospel. It reminds believers that evangelism is not a one-time event but a continual process of planting seeds of faith in the hearts of others.

some seed fell along the path
The "path" represents a place where the soil is hard and compacted, making it difficult for seeds to take root. In the spiritual sense, this symbolizes hearts that are hardened to the gospel, where the Word is heard but not understood or accepted. The imagery of the path serves as a warning of the spiritual dangers of a hardened heart, urging believers to pray for receptivity to God's Word.

and was trampled on
The trampling of the seed signifies the rejection and disregard of the gospel message. In the Greek, "κατεπατήθη" (katepatēthē) conveys the idea of being trodden underfoot. This reflects the reality that not all who hear the Word will receive it, as some will dismiss or oppose it. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that accompanies the proclamation of the gospel.

and the birds of the air devoured it
The "birds of the air" are often interpreted as representing the forces of evil that seek to snatch away the Word before it can take root. In the context of the parable, this illustrates the spiritual opposition that believers face in spreading the gospel. The imagery of devouring birds serves as a call to vigilance and prayer, recognizing the need for spiritual protection and perseverance in evangelism.

(5-15) A sower went out to sow.--See Notes on Matthew 13:3-23. Better, the sower. The vivid touch that the seed was "trodden down" is peculiar to St. Luke.

Verse 5. - A sower went out to sow his seed. The Master's words, in after-days, must often have come home to the disciples. They would feel that in each of them, if they were faithful to their work, the "sower" of the parable was reproduced; they would remember what they had heard from his lips; how he had warned them of the reception which their words would surely meet with; how by far the greater proportion of the seed they would sow, would perish. But though the disciples and all true Christian men in a greater or less degree reproduce the sower of the parable, still the great Sower, it must be remembered, is the Holy Spirit. Every true teacher or sower of the Word does but repeat what they have learned from him. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside. Dean Stanley, on the scenery of the parable, thus writes: "Is there anything on the spot to suggest the images thus conveyed? So I asked as I rode along the tract under the hillside, by which the Plain of Gennesaret is approached. So I asked at the moment, seeing nothing but the steep sides of the hill, alternately of rock and grass. And when I thought of the parable of the sower, I answered that here at least was nothing on which the Divine teaching could fasten; it must have been the distant corn-fields of Samaria or Esdraelon on which his mind was dwelling. The thought had hardly occurred to me when a slight recess in the hillside, close upon the plain, disclosed at once, in detail, and with a conjunction which I remember nowhere else in Palestine, every feature of the great parable. There was the undulating corn-field descending to the water's edge; there was the trodden pathway running through the midst of it, with no fence or hedge to prevent the seed from falling here and there on either side of it, or upon it; itself hard with the constant tramp of horse and mule and human foot" ('Sinai and Palestine,' ch. 13.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“A farmer
σπείρων (speirōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

went out
Ἐξῆλθεν (Exēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

to sow
σπεῖραι (speirai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

seed.
σπόρον (sporon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4703: Seed for sowing. From speiro; a scattering, i.e. seed.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

as
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

he
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

was sowing,
σπείρειν (speirein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

some [seed]
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

fell
ἔπεσεν (epesen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

along
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

path,
ὁδόν (hodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.

where
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

it was trampled,
κατεπατήθη (katepatēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2662: From kata and pateo; to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

birds
πετεινὰ (peteina)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4071: A bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, i.e. Bird.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

air
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

devoured
κατέφαγεν (katephagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2719: To eat up, eat till it is finished, devour, squander, annoy, injure. From kata and esthio; to eat down, i.e. Devour.

it.
αὐτό (auto)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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