Explaining the Parable of the Sower
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luke 8:14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
So the one falling into the thorns? These are those hearing and proceeding with worries and wealth and pleasures of this living, they are choked and don't ripen.
There a three participles, translated as active verbs when they are participles, verbal adjectives, not "fall," not "hear," and "not go," but "going," "hearing," and "going." These changes force all types of other distortions on the words.
The most interesting word is, of course, the final one, the punchline. The verb translated as "bring fruit to perfection" and "mature" means "to ripen," of women, "to bear perfect offspring," and "to bring to a head." Literally, it means "to carry to the end." Its translation as "mature" makes sense, but the word "ripen" works bests because it takes in both the "fruit" aspect of this verse and the "mature" sense for a person.
Getting caught up in the world whirl is a good way to lose our sense of the Divine.
τὸ δὲ εἰς τὰς ἀκάνθας πεσόν, οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες,
the one So into the thorns? falling These are those hearing
καὶ ὑπὸ μεριμνῶν καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου πορευόμενοι συνπνίγονται καὶ οὐ τελεσφοροῦσιν.
and with worries and wealth and pleasures of this living proceeding they are choked and don't ripen.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "will" should be something more like "should."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "heard" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "go" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "among" should be something more like "into."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "thorns" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "they."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "which."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "s "bring fruit to perfection" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "so" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "seed" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "fell" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "among" should be something more like "into."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "thorns" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "stands" should be something more like "are."
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "for" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "who."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "heard" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "but as " doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "on their way" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "life" is not shown in the English translation.
And --(WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way.It can also be an explanation of indirect cause ,"so," which works best here because this is all an explanation.
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
fell -- (WF) "Fall" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." It is the root word for dozens of Greek terms involving moving from a higher state to a lower one. Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
among -- (WW) The word translated as "among" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
thorns -- The Greek words translated as "thorns" and "thistles" both mean any type of thorny plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult", "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question." In Jewish tradition, thorns did not exist in the original creation but were created after humanity's fall.
are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
they, -- (CW) "They" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." This is not the word usually translated as "they."
which, -- (CW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "which."
when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
heard,- -- (WF) "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear," "to hear of," and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
go-- (WF) In the passive, it means to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT but Jesus uses it in situations where it "depart from life" meaning comes into play.This word uniquely means "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." Jesus also uses it for a play on words referring to its "depart from life" meaning. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
forth, - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
choked - "Choked" is from a verb that means "to press closely" in the sense of crowding, and "to damp down."
with -- The word translated as "with" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
cares - "Cares" is translated from a Greek word that means "care," "thought" or "concern." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English.
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
riches - "Riches" is from a noun which is used only once in Matthew to describe wealth. It means "wealth," "treasure," and "riches," and is related to the name of the god of wealth, Plutus.
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
pleasures - "Pleasures" are from a Greek word that means "enjoyment," "pleasure," "a pleasure," in plural, "desires after pleasure," and "pleasant lusts." It is the source word from our word "hedonism."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
this - The word translated as "this" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
life, --- "Life" is a noun that means "mode of life", "livelihood", "means of living", "the world we live in", "a biography," and "caste."
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
bring - This is from the root of the verb
.no -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
fruit to perfection. - (CW) The verb translated as "bring fruit to perfection" means "to ripen," of women, "to bear perfect offspring," and "to bring to a head." Literally, it means "to carry to the end."
missing "so" -- (MW) The untranslated word "so" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way.It can also be an explanation of indirect cause ,"so," which works best here because this is all an explanation.
The -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
seed -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
fell -- (WF) "Fall" is translated from a Greek word that means "to fall" and "to fall down." It is the root word for dozens of Greek terms involving moving from a higher state to a lower one. Like our word "to fall" it has a number of special meanings including "to fall into a given class," "to prostrate," "to fall from power," "to perish," and so on. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing. "
among -- (WW) The word translated as "among" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
thorns -- The Greek words translated as "thorns" and "thistles" both mean any type of thorny plant. As in English, the term "thorny" is used as a metaphor for "difficult", "tricky," or "painful" as in "a thorny question." In Jewish tradition, thorns did not exist in the original creation but were created after humanity's fall.
stands -- (WW) The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
for -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
those , -- "Those" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one." This is not the word usually translated as "they."
who, -- (CW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "which."
heard,- -- (WF) "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear," "to hear of," and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent."
but as -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
go-- In the passive, it means to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT but Jesus uses it in situations where it "depart from life" meaning comes into play.This word uniquely means "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." Jesus also uses it for a play on words referring to its "depart from life" meaning.
on their way -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
choked - "Choked" is from a verb that means "to press closely" in the sense of crowding, and "to damp down."
by -- The word translated as "with" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
life’s--- "Life" is a noun that means "mode of life", "livelihood", "means of living", "the world we live in", "a biography," and "caste."
worries - "Worries" is translated from a Greek word that means "care," "thought" or "concern." It has most of the sense of the way we use "worry" in English.
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
riches - "Riches" is from a noun which is used only once in Matthew to describe wealth. It means "wealth," "treasure," and "riches," and is related to the name of the god of wealth, Plutus.
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
pleasures - "Pleasures" are from a Greek word that means "enjoyment," "pleasure," "a pleasure," in plural, "desires after pleasure," and "pleasant lusts." It is the source word from our word "hedonism."
and -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
do -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
mature.. - The verb translated as "mature" means "to ripen," of women, "to bear perfect offspring," and "to bring to a head." Literally, it means "to carry to the end."
τὸ [821 verses] (article sg neut acc) "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of indirect cause ("so"). In an "if" (εἰ ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, its means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τὰς [821 verses] (article pl fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article. -
ἀκάνθας [8 verses](noun pl fem acc) "Thorns" is akantha, which means "thorn", "prickle," or "any thorny or prickly plant." It is also a metaphor for a "thorny" question.
πεσόν,[36 verses] (part sg aor act neut acc) "That which fell" is pipto, which means "to fall," "to fall down," "to be cast down," "fall upon," "intersect (geometry)," "meet," "pass through," "fall violently upon," "attack," "fall in battle," "sink{in water)," "fall short i.e. fail," " fall out of," "lose a thing," "escape from," "fall asleep," "to be accessible to perception," "to fall (between her feet, i.e. to be born)," "to let fall[dice)," "turn out," and "fall under (belong to a class)."
οὗτοί [83 verses](adj pl masc nom) "They" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer."
εἰσιν [614 verses] (verb 3rd pl pres) "Are" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
οἱ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
ἀκούσαντες, [95 verses](part pl aor act masc nom) "Have heard" is akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from. However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ὑπὸ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
μεριμνῶν [4 verses](noun pl fem gen) "Cares" is from merimna , which means "care," "thought," "solicitude," "object of care or thought," and, in plural, "pursuit," "ambition."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
πλούτου [3 verses] (noun sg masc gen) "Riches" is from ploutos, which is used only once in Matthew to descrive wealth. It means "wealth ""treasure," and "riches." The verb is pletho, which means "to fill. ""Plutus" is the god of riches.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
ἡδονῶν [1 verse](noun pl fem gen) "Pleasures" are from hedone, which means "enjoyment," "pleasure," "a pleasure," in plural, "desires after pleasure," and "pleasant lusts."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "This" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article. -
βίου [5 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Life" is bios, which means "mode of life," "livelihood," "means of living," "the world we live in," "a biography," and "caste."
πορευόμενοι [54 verses](part pl pres mp masc nom) "Go forth" is poreuomai (poreuo) which means, in the active voice, "make to go," "carry," "convey," and "bring." In the passive, it means to "go," "march," "depart," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT but Jesus uses it in situations where it "depart from life" meaning comes into play.
συνπνίγονται [2 verses] (verb 3rd pl pres ind mp ) "Are choked" is from sympnigo , which "to press closely," in the sense of crowding, "to damp down," and metaphorically, "to choke."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
οὐ [269 verses](adv) "No" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
τελεσφοροῦσιν [1 verse](verb 3rd pl pres ind act) "Bring fruit to perfection" is from telesphoreo, which means "bring fruit to perfection," of young women, "bear perfect offspring," generally, "bring to a head," and, in the passive, "to be brought to perfection." The root of the verb is phero, which means to "bring," "carry," or "produce," The prefix telos, which means "purpose," "outcome," "something done," or "goal." -