King James Version

What Does Luke 8:9 Mean?

Luke 8:9 in the King James Version says “And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 8:9 · KJV

Context

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?

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.

Read Luke 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?—The verb epērōtōn (ἐπηρώτων, imperfect tense, "were asking") indicates repeated or continued questioning, suggesting the disciples' persistent confusion. The phrase tis hautē eiē hē parabolē (τίς αὕτη εἴη ἡ παραβολή, "what this parable might be") uses the optative mood eiē (εἴη), expressing tentative inquiry—they're uncertain about the meaning. This contrasts with the crowds who heard but apparently didn't ask, revealing a crucial distinction: genuine disciples pursue understanding when confused, while casual hearers remain content with surface-level reception.

The disciples' question demonstrates appropriate response to difficult teaching—seeking explanation rather than abandoning the teacher or pretending to understand. Their private inquiry (Mark 4:10 specifies they asked "when he was alone") shows humility to admit confusion and persistence to gain clarity. This pattern establishes prayer and study as proper responses to biblical perplexity. Unlike the hardened religious leaders who criticized without seeking understanding, the disciples' teachability positioned them to receive kingdom mysteries (v. 10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rabbinic education encouraged students to ask questions, memorize teaching, and request clarification. The Talmud later formalized this: "An inquiring student is like a sealed fountain—everything remains inside." Jesus' disciples functioned as traditional rabbinic students, accompanying their master and learning through observation and instruction. The private explanation pattern appears frequently in the Gospels (Mark 7:17, 9:28, 10:10)—Jesus taught publicly in parables but explained privately to disciples. This fulfilled dual purpose: public teaching invited response while protecting truth from mockers; private explanation rewarded genuine seekers. The disciples' confusion despite three years with Jesus demonstrates that spiritual understanding requires divine illumination, not merely prolonged exposure. This prepares for verse 10's revelation that understanding parables is divinely granted, not humanly achieved.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the disciples' humble admission of confusion and persistent questioning model appropriate response when biblical teaching seems unclear or difficult?
  2. What distinguishes the disciples who asked for explanation from the crowds who heard but didn't inquire, and how does this difference reveal genuine versus superficial interest in God's truth?
  3. In what ways does Jesus' pattern of public parabolic teaching and private explanation challenge modern demands that all teaching be immediately and universally accessible?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
Ἐπηρώτων1 of 12

“asked”

G1905

to ask for, i.e., inquire, seek

δὲ2 of 12

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτοῦ3 of 12

“him”

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

οἱ4 of 12
G3588

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

μαθηταὶ5 of 12

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ6 of 12

“him”

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

λέγοντες,7 of 12

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τίς8 of 12

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

εἴη9 of 12

“be”

G1498

might (could, would, or should) be

ἡ10 of 12
G3588

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

παραβολή11 of 12

“parable”

G3850

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

αὕτη12 of 12

“this”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

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 8:9 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 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 13:18Matthew 13:10Mark 4:10Mark 4:34John 15:15Matthew 13:36

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 8 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes