King James Version

What Does Luke 8:5 Mean?

Luke 8:5 in the King James Version says “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.”

Luke 8:5 · KJV

Context

3

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

4

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

5

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side—The parable opens with exēlthen ho speirōn tou speirai ton sporon autou (ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρων τοῦ σπεῖραι τὸν σπόρον αὐτοῦ), literally "the sower went out to sow his seed." The redundancy emphasizes purposeful action—sowing is the sower's defining activity. The aorist tense exēlthen (went out) indicates a specific historical moment, while the present infinitive speirai (to sow) describes ongoing action. The phrase para tēn hodon (παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν, "beside the way") refers to the hardened footpath bordering fields.

And it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it—The verb katepatēthē (κατεπατήθη, "was trampled") in the aorist passive indicates the seed was trampled by passersby on the hard path. Then ta peteina tou ouranou katephagen auto (τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατέφαγεν αὐτό, "the birds of heaven devoured it"). Jesus later explains (v. 12) that birds represent the devil stealing the word from hearts. The path-soil represents hardened hearts where truth cannot penetrate—the word remains on the surface, vulnerable to immediate removal by satanic activity before any root can form.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Palestinian farming involved broadcasting seed by hand across fields with varying soil conditions. Farmers walked paths through and around fields, creating hard-packed earth where seed couldn't penetrate. Birds following sowers to eat exposed seed was common observation. Ancient farming lacked modern precision—seed inevitably fell on unproductive ground. The parable's realism made it accessible while conveying profound spiritual truth. In Jesus' interpretation (vv. 11-15), the four soils represent four responses to gospel preaching. The wayside/path represents those who hear but never understand or believe—Satan immediately removes the word (v. 12). First-century audiences understood that hard paths resulted from repeated trampling, just as hardened hearts develop through repeated rejection of truth. The image of birds devouring seed before germination perfectly pictures spiritual receptivity cut off before it begins.

Reflection Questions

  1. What causes hearts to become hardened like trampled pathways, and how can we guard against developing impenetrable spiritual soil?
  2. How does Satan's immediate activity to steal the word (represented by birds) emphasize the spiritual urgency of responding to the gospel when first heard?
  3. In what ways does the broadcast sowing method—casting seed on all soil types—challenge modern pragmatic approaches that focus only on 'receptive' audiences?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ἐξῆλθεν1 of 28

“went out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ὁ2 of 28
G3588

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

σπείρειν3 of 28

“A sower”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ4 of 28
G3588

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

σπείρειν5 of 28

“A sower”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

τὸν6 of 28
G3588

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

σπόρον7 of 28

“seed”

G4703

a scattering (of seed), i.e., (concretely) seed (as sown)

αὐτό8 of 28

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ9 of 28

“and”

G2532

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

ἐν10 of 28

“as”

G1722

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

τῷ11 of 28
G3588

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

σπείρειν12 of 28

“A sower”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

αὐτό13 of 28

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὃ14 of 28

“some”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

μὲν15 of 28
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

ἔπεσεν16 of 28

“fell”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

παρὰ17 of 28

“by”

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τὴν18 of 28
G3588

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

ὁδόν19 of 28

“the way side”

G3598

a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means

καὶ20 of 28

“and”

G2532

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

κατεπατήθη21 of 28

“it was trodden down”

G2662

to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain

καὶ22 of 28

“and”

G2532

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

τὰ23 of 28
G3588

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

πετεινὰ24 of 28

“the fowls”

G4071

a flying animal, i.e., bird

τοῦ25 of 28
G3588

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

οὐρανοῦ26 of 28

“of the air”

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

κατέφαγεν27 of 28

“devoured”

G2719

to eat up, i.e., devour (literally or figuratively)

αὐτό28 of 28

“he”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 8:5 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 8:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 2:1James 1:23-24Mark 4:15Luke 8:11-12Genesis 15:11Mark 4:26-29

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