Bible Strands
Matthew 9:38
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples immediately after observing the plentiful harvest and few workers in Matthew 9:37. He commands them to pray for laborers to be dispatched into that harvest.
The words — The imperative δεήθητε (deēthēte) means "pray" or "beseech," paired with ὅπως ἐκβάλῃ (hopōs ekbalē) meaning "that He may send out." The noun θερισμοῦ (therismou) appears twice in the clause, rendered literally as "harvest."
The thread — The prayer for laborers connects to Jesus commissioning seventy-two others in Luke 10:1, while the theme of God providing shepherds appears in Jeremiah 3:15 and the request for the word to spread rapidly in 2 Thessalonians 3:1.
Why it lands — The text commands believers to petition God directly to provide and dispatch workers for the spiritual harvest. It places the responsibility of prayer on the community while leaving the act of sending to God alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Cross-references
- Luke 10:1 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit.
- Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you.
- Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- John 20:21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”
- Psalms 68:11 The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it:
- Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Micah 5:7 Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.
- Ephesians 4:11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,