OET interlinear LUKE 8:15

8:15a

But: The Greek word that the BSB translates as But here introduces the last example in a series, the one that is different from the rest. In some languages a conjunction may not be needed. Introduce this example in a natural way in your language.

the seeds on good soil are those: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as the seeds on good soil introduces what happens when seeds fall on good ground. This general situation, not just the seeds, represents people who hear God’s message. Some ways to translate this are:

When seeds fall on good soil, it is like when people hear God’s message…

The picture of the seeds scattered on good soil represents the kind of people who hear God’s message…

are those: For the Greek word that the BSB translates literally as are, some English versions use a fuller phrase because that is natural style in English. For example:

stands for those (NIV)

8:15b

with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it: The phrase a noble and good heart describes people who keep the word of God in their hearts/minds. There are two views about exactly what a noble and good heart describes here:

1. It describes the manner in which the people retain the word. Most English versions express this idea by using an idiom that seems to express location. For example:

   The seeds that fell in good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart… (GNT) (GNT, RSV, CEV, KJV, GW, NET)

2. It describes the character of the people who hear the word. They have noble and good hearts. For example:

   And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it… (NLT) (BSB, NIV, NLT, NJB, REB, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). However, the two interpretations are not very different, because people who retain God’s message in good and noble hearts must have good and noble hearts.

In this context the word heart is an idiom to describe the manner in which these people retain God’s word. Other ways to translate with a noble and good heart…cling to it are:

hold to it in a noble and good way

cling to it with honesty and goodness

keep thinking about it well and honestly

noble and good heart: The Greek words that the BSB translates as noble and good are very close in meaning.A number of commentators point out that this was a common expression in Greek literature which “conveys the Hellenistic ideal of an honourable character” (Marshall). Jesus had already used each of these Greek words alone to describe the soil as “good soil” (8:8a and 8:15a). The two words are probably used together here for emphasis. Both words can be used to describe many types of goodness. You should use a word or phrase in your language that is natural to describe a good way to cling to God’s word.

Some ways to translate noble and good heart here are:

• Use two different words for “good.” Some examples in English could be:

  in a good and fitting/proper way

  in a manner that is right and good

  carefully and honestly

• Use one word or phrase that emphasizes the meaning of the Greek phrase. For example:

  in a truly/very good way

  with great carefulness

  just as they should

heart: See the note on “hearts” at 8:12b.

hear the word, cling to it: The Greek phrases that the BSB translates as hear the word, cling to it are literally “hearing the word, retain (it).” The verb “retain” is the main verb. It indicates that retaining the word is the action that is in focus here. Indicate that in a natural way in your language.

cling to it: The Greek word that the BSB translates as cling to it means “keep it” or “hold fast to it.” In this context, this indicates that the people remember it and continue to think about it and believe it. These people do not forget or discard the message from God that they have heard. They value it and treasure it.

8:15c

by persevering produce a crop: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as by persevering is literally “in patience/perseverance.” It describes someone who patiently perseveres in spite of difficulties. In this context it describes people who patiently continue to believe God’s message and obey it. The result of this persevering is that they produce a crop, that is, God’s message produces good results through them. This contrasts with the people in 8:13–14 who stopped believing God’s message.

produce a crop: The Greek word that the BSB translates as produce a crop can also be translated as “bring forth fruit.” This is a metaphor. Jesus does not identify what the crop or “fruit” refers to. It probably refers to good deeds that are the result of believing and obeying God’s message.The majority of commentators understand “bear fruit” (here and in 8:14c) in the sense of some kind of good deeds. They are the results of or demonstration of faith. The alternative view is to see faith itself as the fruit. Just as grain that can be harvested accomplishes the purpose of the farmer, so the people represented by the seed scattered on the good soil accomplish the purpose for which Jesus proclaimed the message. They hear the word, retain it, and so produce the fruit of faith (= the fruit which is faith).

Some other ways to translate produce a crop here are:

• Use a simile. For example:

  they are like plants that produce fruit/grain for harvest

• Make the meaning more explicit. For example:

  like plants that produce fruit, they produce good results

  they live/act according to God’s message

  they live in a way that pleases God