Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:37-38 Harvest refers to the multitudes (see also 13:24-30, 36-43; Mark 4:26-29; John 4:35-38; Rev 14:15-20). • the Lord who is in charge of the harvest: All ministries are ultimately under God’s call (see Matt 23:8-10, 13), so Jesus urges his disciples to pray for God himself to call more workers.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:37-38 Harvest refers to the multitudes (see also 13:24-30, 36-43; Mark 4:26-29; John 4:35-38; Rev 14:15-20). • the Lord who is in charge of the harvest: All ministries are ultimately under God’s call (see Matt 23:8-10, 13), so Jesus urges his disciples to pray for God himself to call more workers.
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
then saith he to his disciples, 'The harvest indeed [is] abundant, but the workmen few;
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
τοτε λεγει τοις μαθηταις αυτου ο μεν θερισμος πολυς οι δε εργαται ολιγοι
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Then he said to his disciples, There is much grain but not enough men to get it in.