After Jesus appoints the seventy and is sending them out.
Luke 10:2 The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2 The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
This reaping? Truly Large! But these workers? Few. You might be begging therefore the Master of the harvest that he might turn out workmen into this harvest of his.
There is more work to do.
The Greek of the second part has a touch of humor in it. The word translated as "pray" means "be needing" and "be begging." It is not the word usually translated as "pray." The word translated as "send out" is not the usual word translated as "send out", but the word usually translated as "cast out", which Jesus use in the same light sense as we use "toss out" in English. While it usually means remove, it can be "add" in the sense of "turn out" when used with a preposition like the "into" here.
The word "harvest" also means "reaping" conveying an echo of everyone's coming death. However, this is also a time of celebration. Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests. The flax harvest (March) is before Passover, while the barley (early May) and wheat (Shavuot - late May) harvests are right after. The grape harvest (August) is before Rosh Hashanah, the Fig Harvest (September) follows before Yom Kippur, Olive Harvest (October) follows, while the Feast of Booths/Tents (Sukkot) is the Fruit Harvest (later October).
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb "pray" is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "pray" should be something more like "might be wanting."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "pray" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "would" indicates the future tense, but that is not the tense here.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "send forth."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "harvest" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "pray" should be something more like "might be wanting."
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "pray" here is translated as active but it is passive.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "send out."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "harvest" is not shown in the English translation.
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.
harvest - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests. The flax harvest (March) is before Passover, which the barley (early May) and wheat (Shavuot - late May) harvests are right after. The grape harvest (August) is before Rosh Hashanah, the Fig Harvest (September) follows before Yom Kippur, Olive Harvest (October) follows, while the Feast of Booths/Tents (Sukkot) is the Fruit Harvest (later October).
truly -- The "truly" here is a particle, which, when used alone, expresses certainty, "truly" and "certainly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it." However, when used with the conjunction translated here as "but" takes on the meaning "on one hand..." with the "on the other hand" identified by the "but" phrase.
is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
great, -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
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.
labourers-- The word translated as "labourer " means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.
are -- There is no verb "are" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
few: - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
pray - (WW, WV) The Greek word translated as "pray" is means to "lack," "miss," "stand in need of," "want," "to be in want or need," "require," and to "beg a thing from." Since the object is a person, the sense is "bag from." It is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is not a command, as translated, but a passive verb, "you might be begging." The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
therefore -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
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.
Lord -- The word translated as "lord" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."
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.
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.
harvest, - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests.
that -- The word translated as "that" is one of those Greek words that introduce a new phrase that offers an explanation. It can be translated as a dependent clause, but if we start a new sentence with it, we get fewer run-on sentences.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.-- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
would -- (WT) This helping verb in English comes from the form of the Greek verb that indicates a possibility. We would usually say "might" or "should" in English. However, "would" makes it sound like the future tense, which is its.
send -- (CW) "Send forth" is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail. This is not the word usually translated as "send forth." While the sense is usually "to move outside," it can also mean "turn out" into a place.
forth - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
labourers -- The word translated as "labourers" means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.
into -- The word translated as "to" 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.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."
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.
harvest. - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests.
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.
harvest - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests. The flax harvest (March) is before Passover, which the barley (early May) and wheat (Shavuot - late May) harvests are right after. The grape harvest (August) is before Rosh Hashanah, the Fig Harvest (September) follows before Yom Kippur, Olive Harvest (October) follows, while the Feast of Booths/Tents (Sukkot) is the Fruit Harvest (later October).
truly -- The "truly" here is a particle, which, when used alone, expresses certainty, "truly" and "certainly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it." However, when used with the conjunction translated here as "but" takes on the meaning "on one hand..." with the "on the other hand" identified by the "but" phrase.
is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
great, -- The word translated as "many" means many in number, great in power or worth, and large in size.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
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.
labourers-- The word translated as "labourer " means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.
are -- There is no verb "are" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
few: - The Greek word translated as "few" means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak."
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
therefore -- The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
pray - (WW, WV) The Greek word translated as "pray" is means to "lack," "miss," "stand in need of," "want," "to be in want or need," "require," and to "beg a thing from." ince the object is a person, the sense is "bag from." It is an uncommon word for Jesus. It is not a command, as translated, but a passive verb, "you might be begging." The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
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.
Lord -- The word translated as "lord" is the same word that is often translated as "Lord" or "the Lord" in the NT. It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." It is the specific terms for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief." For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master."
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.
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.
harvest, - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" is one of those Greek words that introduce a new phrase that offers an explanation. It can be translated as a dependent clause, but if we start a new sentence with it, we get fewer run-on sentences.
to -- (WV) This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English. This is an active verb not an infinitive. WF -- Wrong Form - This is an active verb not an infinitive, "to verb."
missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses.
send -- (CW) "Send out " is a verb that means "throw out." Depending on the context, it can mean "toss out," "turn out," or "take out." It is usually translated as "cast out" in the NT. See this article for more detail. This is not the word usually translated as "send forth." While the sense is usually "to move outside," it can also mean "turn out" into a place.
out - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
labourers -- The word translated as "labourers" means "worker," but it more specifically means a "doer," a "producer," or one who practices an art. It has a very economic sense.
into -- The word translated as "to" 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.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."
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.
harvest. - "Harvest" is from a noun which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop." Time of the harvest has a lot of meaning because the Jewish calendar has a number of holidays built around different harvests.
Ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" 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.
μὲν [31 verses](partic) "Truly" is men , which is generally used to express certainty and means "indeed," "certainly," "surely," and "truly." Alone in a question, it assumes the answer like "I take it" or "isn't it." Used with the conjunction de, it points out the specific word being contrasted after the conjunction. In English, we usually say, "on one hand...on the other hand." See the article here for specific uses with other particles.
θερισμὸς [7 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Harvest" is from therismos, which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop."
πολύς, [61 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Many" is polys, which means "many (in number)," "great (in size or power or worth)," and "large (of space)." As an adverb, it means "far," "very much," "a great way," and "long."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "Unto them 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."
ἐργάται [8 verses] (noun pl masc nom) "Workman" is ergates, which means "workman," "one who works the soil," "husbandman," "hard-working," "strenuous," "one who practices an art," "practitioner," "doer," and "producer."
ὀλίγοι: [19 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Few" is oligos, which means "little," "small," "slight," "few," and "weak." As an adverb it means "a little," "slightly," and "little."
δεήθητε [4 verses](verb 2nd pl aor subj pass) "Pray" is from deomai, which means to "lack," "miss," "stand in need of," "want," "to be in want or need," "require," and to "beg a thing from."
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Therefore" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "Unto them 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.
κυρίου [92 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "Unto them 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.
θερισμοῦ [7 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of the harvest" is from therismos, which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop."
ὅπως [14 verses](conj) "That" is hopos, which is a conjunction that means "in such a manner as," "in order that," "in the manner in which," "how," [with negative] "there is no way that," and [in questions] "in what way."
ἐκβάλῃ[33 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "He will send forth" is ekballo and means "toss out," "throw out of a place,"and "expose." paEk means "out of," "from," and "away from." Ballo is "to throw" or "to scatter."
ἐργάτας [8 verses](noun pl masc acc) "Workman" is ergates, which means "workman," "one who works the soil," "husbandman," "hard-working," "strenuous," "one who practices an art," "practitioner," "doer," and "producer."
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)."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "Unto them 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.
θερισμὸν [7 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Of the harvest" is from therismos, which means "mowing," "reaping," "harvest time," "harvest," and "crop."
αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adv/adj sg masc gen) "His/" is autou, which means is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord." In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there." This form is often used as the object of a preposition, him." This form of an object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time. Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people. The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.