King James Version

What Does Luke 8:7 Mean?

Luke 8:7 in the King James Version says “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 8:7 · KJV

Context

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.

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?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it—The Greek kai heteron epesen en mesō tōn akanthōn (καὶ ἕτερον ἔπεσεν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀκανθῶν, "and other fell in the midst of the thorns") describes seed scattered among dormant thornbush roots. The phrase kai sympyeisai hai akanthai apepnixan auto (καὶ συμφυεῖσαι αἱ ἄκανθαι ἀπέπνιξαν αὐτό, "and growing together the thorns choked it") uses sympyeisai (συμφυεῖσαι, "growing together/simultaneously") indicating parallel development.

The verb apepnixan (ἀπέπνιξαν, "choked/strangled") vividly portrays suffocation—thorns competed for nutrients, water, and sunlight, preventing the crop from maturing to fruitfulness. Jesus explains (v. 14) that thorns represent merimnas kai ploutou kai hēdonōn tou biou (μερίμνας καὶ πλούτου καὶ ἡδονῶν τοῦ βίου, "cares and riches and pleasures of life")—worldly anxieties, wealth, and sensual gratifications. Unlike path-soil (immediate satanic theft) or rock-soil (temporary faith ending in apostasy), thorn-soil represents ongoing profession that never produces fruit due to spiritual competition. The plant lives but remains unproductive, choked by competing priorities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Palestinian farmers recognized the challenge of thorny ground—roots remained after surface clearing, regenerating to compete with crops. Common thornbushes included thistles, briers, and thorny shrubs. Jesus' interpretation reveals this soil represents those who hear and apparently believe but allow worldly concerns to prevent fruitfulness. The three specific thorns—cares (anxieties about provision), riches (pursuit of wealth), and pleasures (sensual gratification)—encompass the spectrum of worldly distraction. This category warns that religious profession can coexist with practical worldliness. Such people attend services, profess faith, perhaps even participate in ministry, but produce no spiritual fruit because competing priorities strangle their growth. The Reformed tradition particularly emphasizes this danger—nominal Christianity where the word is heard but worldliness prevents transformation. Fruitlessness evidences false profession (Matthew 7:16-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do cares, riches, and pleasures function as spiritual thorns that choke out fruitfulness while allowing religious profession to continue?
  2. What does the simultaneous growth of seed and thorns teach about the subtle, gradual nature of worldliness choking out spiritual vitality?
  3. In what ways does affluent Western Christianity particularly struggle with the thorn-soil danger of material comfort and entertainment preventing fruitful discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

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

ἕτερον2 of 13

“some”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

ἔπεσεν3 of 13

“fell”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐν4 of 13

“among”

G1722

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

μέσῳ5 of 13
G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

τῶν6 of 13
G3588

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

ἄκανθαι7 of 13

“the thorns”

G173

a thorn

καὶ8 of 13

“And”

G2532

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

συμφυεῖσαι9 of 13

“sprang up with it”

G4855

passive, to grow jointly

αἱ10 of 13
G3588

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

ἄκανθαι11 of 13

“the thorns”

G173

a thorn

ἀπέπνιξαν12 of 13

“and choked”

G638

to stifle (by drowning or overgrowth)

αὐτό13 of 13

“it”

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 8:7 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 8:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:3Luke 8:14Matthew 13:7Matthew 13:22Genesis 3:18Mark 4:18-19

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