The Meaning of Matthew 9:37 Explained

Matthew 9:37

KJV: Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

YLT: then saith he to his disciples, 'The harvest indeed is abundant, but the workmen few;

Darby: Then saith he to his disciples, The harvest is great and the workmen are few;

ASV: Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then  saith  he unto his  disciples,  The harvest  truly  [is] plenteous,  but  the labourers  [are] few; 

What does Matthew 9:37 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 9:35-38 - Planning The Harvest
A new chapter in our Lord's ministry opens at this point. As He walked amid the crowded towns and villages of Galilee, His heart was deeply moved. His was the shepherd's nature, which, ever forgetful of self, expends its all for the flock. Jesus loved the poor people tenderly-those vast multitudes were a scattered, harassed flock. Fainted has the meaning of being cast panting on the ground. It was as though they could not move another step. Let us-like our Master-behold, pity, intercede, do our best to send out laborers, and go ourselves, even to a cross, if only we may save.
Pray for laborers, and you will become a laborer. Begin as a disciple, and you will become an apostle. Our Lord is king, and if He sends, He gives His signet ring of authority. See Matthew 28:18. How little did these men dream that their names would be engraved on the foundations of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:14. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 9

1  Jesus heals a paralytic
9  calls Matthew from the receipt of custom;
10  eats with tax collectors and sinners;
14  defends his disciples for not fasting;
20  cures the sick woman;
23  raises Jairus' daughter from death;
27  gives sight to two blind men;
32  heals a mute man possessed of a demon;
36  and has compassion on the multitude

What do the individual words in Matthew 9:37 mean?

Then He says to the disciples of Him The indeed harvest [is] plentiful the however workmen [are] few
Τότε λέγει τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ μὲν θερισμὸς πολύς οἱ δὲ ἐργάται ὀλίγοι

λέγει  He  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μαθηταῖς  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
θερισμὸς  harvest 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θερισμός  
Sense: harvest, the act of reaping.
πολύς  [is]  plentiful 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐργάται  workmen 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἐργάτης  
Sense: a workman, a labourer.
ὀλίγοι  [are]  few 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.