Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up

Spoken to:

audience

A parable at a gathering of people from every city.

Luke 8:8 καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησεν καρπὸν ἑκατονταπλασίονα. Ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.

KJV :

Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

NIV :

Luke 8:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.

Listeners Heard:

And another fell into the ground, that favorable, and, being grown, produced fruit, a hundred times more. The one having ears to hear, he must hear!

My Takeaway:

If we are among valuable ideas, we can produce valuable ideas.

Lost in Translation:

The adjective translated as "good" means "useful", "worthwhile," and "of high quality. It is different from the adjective used in Mark and Matthew, which is the other adjective commonly translated as "good" in English. See this article on the real Greek meaning of the terms translated as "good" and "evil."

The word translated as "sprung up" and "came up" is only used twice, both in Luke. In the active form, it means "bring forth" and "produce." Here it is passive. In the passive, it means "grow, and "spring up or forth, as a participle, "being grown."

The second "and" here was added because the form of the verb above was made active in translation. It doesn't appear in the Greek because the verb above is in the form of an adjective.

The Greek word translated as "bare" and "yielded" is a more general word, the meaning of "making" or producing" something.

The "let him hear" phrase is from the Greek third-person imperatives. In English, all imperatives are second-person commands, addressed to the one we are speaking to. In ancient Greek, the form is not only used for commands but requests. It is also used in the third person. This is transformed in most Biblical translations by changing it to a second person phrase because with "let him/them" do whatever the verb is. This distorts the form from third person to the second person making the subject of the verb an object. This strains the meaning. It is better translated simply as "he must" plus the verb.

Original Word Order:

καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν εἰς τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν, καὶ φυὲν ἐποίησεν καρπὸν
And another fell into the ground, that favorable, and, being grown, produced fruit,

ἑκατονταπλασίονα. Ὁ ἔχων ὦτα ἀκούειν ἀκουέτω.
a hundred times more. The one having ears to hear, he must hear!

WORD-BY-WORD COMPARISON OF THE GREEK TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS:

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." -

ἕτερον [21 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Other"is heteros, which means "one or the other of two," "the second," "the secondary," "the minor," "other things [of like kind]," "another," "different," "other than," "different from," "other than should be," and "in another or a different way." As an adverb, it means "in one or the other way," "differently," "otherwise than should be," "badly," and "wrongly."

ἔπεσεν, [36 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "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)."

εἰς [325 verses](prep) "On" 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)."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg 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. -

γῆν [59 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Ground" is ge, which means "the element of earth," "land (country)," "arable land," "the ground," and "the world" as the opposite of the sky. Like our English word "earth," it means both dirt and the planet.

ἀγαθήν, [23 verses](adj sg fem acc) "Good" is agathos which means "good" and, when applied to people, "well-born," "gentle," "brave," and "capable." When applied to things, it means "serviceable," "morally good," and "beneficial."

φυὲν [2 verses] (part sg aor pass neut nom) "Sprang up" is phyo, which means "bring forth," "produce," and "put forth." In the passive, it means "grow, and "spring up or forth."

ἐποίησεν [168 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Bare" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with." With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into."

καρπὸν[32 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."

ἑκατονταπλασίονα. [2 verses](adj sg masc acc comp) "An hundredfold" is from hekatontaplasiōn, which means "a hundred times as much or many."

Ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "He" 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.

ἔχων (part sg pres act masc nom) "Hath "[181 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "He hath" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. The main sense when not having an object is "to hold" and "to keep." When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "it could," not "in must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.

ὦτα [15 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Ears" is from ous, which means "ear" and things that resemble an ear, such as a handle on pitchers, cups, etc. -- The term translated as "ears" means "ear," things resembling a handle and is a metaphor for understanding.

ἀκούειν (95 verses](verb pres inf act) "To hear" 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."

ἀκουέτω. (95 verses](verb 3rd sg pres imperat act) "Let him hear" [ 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." -

KJV Analysis:

And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

other -- The word translated as "other" means "one of two," "other," "another," or "different." It is an adjective used as a noun. This word is not plural but singular.

fell -- "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.

on -- -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used. The word here means "into" 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.

good - (CW) The adjective translated as "good" means "useful," "worthwhile," and "of high quality. As a noun, the word "valuable" makes the idea clearer than "good." See this article on "good" and this one on "evil." This is not the word most often and less ambiguously translated as "good."

ground, -- The word translated as "ground" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

sprang up, - (WF) The long phrase "sprang up" is a Greek verb meaning "put forth." In the passive, it means "grow, and "spring up or forth, as a participle, "being grown." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."

and -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

bare -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "bare" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.

fruit -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."

an -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

hundredfold. - "An hundredfold" is a Greek word that means "a hundred times as much or many."

He -- (CW) The word translated as "he" 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 the word usually translated as "he."

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.

hath -- (WF) The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."

ears . -- The term translated as "ears" means "ear," things resembling a handle and is a metaphor for understanding.

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

hear, - -- "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."

let -- (CW) This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second person. This form is used as something like our word "must." Using "let" as the active verb, rather than a helper verb like "must," changes the subject from the third party to the second.

him -- (WF) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object.

hear. "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."

KJV Translation Issues:

OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "behold" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
CW --Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "ground" is not shown in the English translation.
WF -- Wrong Form - This "sprang up" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."
. IW - Inserted Word -- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
CW --Confusing Word -- "bare's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "he."
IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
WF -- Wrong Form - This "have" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."
CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "he," not an object, "him".

NIV Analysis:

Still -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "still" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

other -- The word translated as "other" means "one of two," "other," "another," or "different." It is an adjective used as a noun. This word is not plural but singular.

seed -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

on -- -- (WW) . The word here means "into" 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.

soil, -- The word translated as "ground" means "ground," "land," "country," and "dirt." Translated as "earth," it refers to the physical planet, not society, which Jesus describes as the world. See this article for more on these words.

It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.

came up - (CW, WF, WV ) The long phrase "sprung up" is a Greek verb meaning "put forth." In the passive, it means "grow, and "spring up or forth, as a participle, "being grown." This is not the word usually translated as "came." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

yielded -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "yielded " has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

crop, -- (CW) The word translated as "crop" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors." This is not the word usually translated as "crop."

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

a hundred times more . - "An hundredfold" is a Greek word that means "a hundred times as much or many."

than was sown.” -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source. IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "than was sown" doesn't exist in the source.

Whoever -- (CW) The word translated as "whoever " 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 the word usually translated as "he."

has -- (WF) The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."

ears . -- The term translated as "ears" means "ear," things resembling a handle and is a metaphor for understanding.

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

them -- (WF, WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. This is the subject, not an object. This word is not plural but singular.

NIV Translation Issues:

WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "still" should be something more like "and."
IW - Inserted Word -- The "seed" doesn't exist in the source.
WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "on" should be something more like "into."
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
CW --Confusing Word -- The "word" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "soil" is not shown in the English translation.
CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "came."
WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."
WV --Wrong Voice - The "came" is translated as active but it is passive, "being grown."
. IW - Inserted Word -- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
CW --Confusing Word -- "yielded 's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "crop."
CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "he."
WF -- Wrong Form - This "has" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing" or, in past tenses, "-ed."
CW --Confusing Word -- The verb "let" is not addressed to someone, it is a third-person command.
WF -- Wrong Form - This is the subject, "he," not an object, "them".
WN --Wrong Number- The word "them" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.