King James Version

What Does Luke 8:10 Mean?

Luke 8:10 in the King James Version says “And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing th...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

Luke 8:10 · KJV

Context

8

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

10

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God—The verb dedotai (δέδοται, perfect passive, "has been given") emphasizes divine initiative and completed action—understanding is graciously granted, not humanly achieved. The phrase gnōnai ta mystēria tēs basileias tou Theou (γνῶναι τὰ μυστήρια τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, "to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God") uses mystēria (μυστήρια, "mysteries"), not meaning puzzling riddles but divine secrets revealed only to initiates. In biblical usage, mystery denotes truth previously hidden but now disclosed through revelation (Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:3-6, Colossians 1:26-27).

But to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand—The phrase tois de loipois en parabolais (τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐν παραβολαῖς, "but to the rest in parables") uses loipois (λοιποῖς, "the remaining ones") indicating exclusion from the privileged group. The purpose clause hina blepontes mē blepōsin kai akouontes mē syniōsin (ἵνα βλέποντες μὴ βλέπωσιν καὶ ἀκούοντες μὥ συνιῶσιν, "that seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand") quotes Isaiah 6:9-10, where God commissions Isaiah to preach to those judicially hardened. The hina (ἵνα, "that/in order that") indicates purpose or result—parables simultaneously reveal truth to receptive hearts and confirm hardness in resistant ones.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 6:9-10 describes divine judgment on Israel through hardening—God sent Isaiah to preach, knowing the message would harden most hearers while saving a remnant. Jesus applies this pattern to His ministry, explaining why parables obscure truth from unbelieving crowds while illuminating it for disciples. This isn't arbitrary but judicial—those who reject clear revelation receive increasingly veiled communication. Jewish apocalyptic literature used "mystery" for end-time secrets revealed to the faithful (Daniel 2:18-19, 27-30). Jesus declares these mysteries are now revealed in His kingdom teaching. The disciples' privilege isn't based on superior intelligence or morality but sovereign election and grace. Paul later develops this theme extensively—spiritual understanding requires the Spirit's illumination (1 Corinthians 2:14). This verse establishes crucial Reformed doctrine: saving faith and spiritual comprehension are divine gifts, not human achievements.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' statement that understanding is 'given' by God rather than achieved by human effort challenge contemporary emphasis on intellectual approaches to biblical interpretation?
  2. What does the dual function of parables—revealing truth to disciples while concealing it from others—teach about divine sovereignty in salvation and the judicial hardening of persistent unbelief?
  3. In what ways does the quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 connect Jesus' parabolic teaching to the prophetic pattern of remnant salvation and majority rejection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ὁ1 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 25

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 25

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ὑμῖν4 of 25

“Unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

δέδοται5 of 25

“it is given”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

γνῶναι6 of 25

“to know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὰ7 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μυστήρια8 of 25

“the mysteries”

G3466

a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)

τῆς9 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείας10 of 25

“of the kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ12 of 25

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῖς13 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ14 of 25

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

λοιποῖς15 of 25

“to others”

G3062

remaining ones

ἐν16 of 25

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

παραβολαῖς17 of 25

“parables”

G3850

a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage

ἵνα18 of 25

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

βλέπωσιν19 of 25

“see”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

μὴ20 of 25

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

βλέπωσιν21 of 25

“see”

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

καὶ22 of 25

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκούοντες23 of 25

“hearing”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

μὴ24 of 25

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

συνιῶσιν25 of 25

“they might”

G4920

to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 6:9Mark 4:11Matthew 11:25Jeremiah 5:21Isaiah 44:18Matthew 13:11-17

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