LUKE 8:12 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And the ones along the path are the ones having heard, but then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so they may not believe and be saved.

UST The seeds that fell on the pathway show what happens when people understand the message from God only superficially. This makes it easy for the devil to come and take that message away from their minds. As a result, they do not believe it, and so God does not save them.

BSB The [ seeds ][fn] along the path are those who hear, [but] the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe [and] be saved.

8:12 Literally the ones; also in verses 13, 14, and 15

MSB The [ seeds ][fn] along the path are those who hear, [but] the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe [and] be saved.

8:12 Literally The ones; similarly in verses 13, 14, and 15

BLB And those along the road are those having heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, lest having believed, they should be saved.

AICNT Those by the wayside are the ones who {have heard; then}[fn] the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

8:12, have heard; then: D(05) manuscripts read “who follow, of whom.”

OEB By the seed which fell along the path are meant those who hear the message; but then comes the devil and carries away the message from their minds, to prevent their believing it and being saved.

WEBBE Those along the road are those who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

LSV and those beside the way are those hearing, then comes the Devil, and takes up the word from their heart, lest having believed, they may be saved.

FBV The seeds that fall on the road are those who hear the message, but then the devil comes and steals away the truth from their minds so they won't trust in God and be saved.

TCNT The ones along the path are those who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved.

T4T Some people are like the path on which some of the seeds fell. When these people hear God’s message, the devil comes and causes them to forget what they have heard. As a result, they do not believe it, and will not be saved {God will not save them}.

LEB and those beside the path are the ones who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and[fn] be saved.

8:12 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“believe”) has been translated as a finite verb

BBE Those by the side of the road are those who have given hearing; then the Evil One comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not have faith and get salvation.

Moff Those "on the road" are people who hear; but then the devil comes and carries off the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

Wymth Those by the way-side are those who have heard, and then the Devil comes and carries away the Message from their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

ASV And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

DRA And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.

YLT and those beside the way are those hearing, then cometh the Devil, and taketh up the word from their heart, lest having believed, they may be saved.

Drby But those by the wayside are those who hear; then comes the devil and takes away the word from their heart that they may not believe and be saved.

RV And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
(And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. )

SLT And they by the way are they hearing; then comes the devil, and takes away the word from their heart, lest having believed, they should be saved.

Wbstr Those by the way side, are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

KJB-1769 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
( Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. )

KJB-1611 Those by the way side, are they that heare: then commeth the deuil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, least they should beleeue, and be saued.
(Those by the way side, are they that hear: then cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts, least they should believe, and be saved.)

Bshps Those that are besyde the way, are they that heare: then commeth the deuyll, and taketh away the worde out of their heartes, lest they shoulde beleue, and be saued.
(Those that are beside the way, are they that hear: then cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe, and be saved.)

Gnva And they that are beside the way, are they that heare: afterward commeth the deuill, and taketh away the worde out of their hearts, least they should beleeue, and be saued.
(And they that are beside the way, are they that hear: afterward cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts, least they should believe, and be saved. )

Cvdl As for those that are by ye waye syde, they are they that heare it, afterwarde commeth the deuell, and taketh awaye the worde out of their hertes, that they shulde not beleue, and be saued.
(As for those that are by ye/you_all way side, they are they that hear it, afterward cometh/comes the devil, and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts, that they should not believe, and be saved.)

TNT Thoose that are besyde the waye are they that heare and afterwarde cometh the devyll and taketh awaye the worde out of their hertes lest they shuld beleve and be saved.
(Thoose that are beside the way are they that hear and afterward cometh/comes the devil and taketh/takes away the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved. )

Wycl The seed is Goddis word; and thei that ben bisidis the weie, ben these that heren; and aftirward the feend cometh, and takith awei the word fro her herte, lest thei bileuynge be maad saaf.
(The seed is God’s word; and they that been besides the way, been these that hearing; and afterward the fiend/devil cometh/comes, and taketh/takes away the word from her heart, lest they believing be made safe.)

Luth Die aber an dem Wege sind, das sind, die es hören; danach kommt der Teufel und nimmt das Wort von ihrem Herzen, auf daß sie nicht glauben und selig werden.
(The but at/to to_him ways are, the are, the it hear/listen; after/thereafter/then comes the/of_the devil and takes the word from their heart(s), on/in/to that they/she/them not believe and blessed become.)

ClVg Qui autem secus viam, hi sunt qui audiunt: deinde venit diabolus, et tollit verbum de corde eorum, ne credentes salvi fiant.[fn]
(Who however otherwise/wrongly way/road, these are who/which they_hear: then/next he_came the_devil, and takes_away the_word/saying from/about heart their, not believers be_saved be_done. )

8.12 Quod autem secus viam. Secus viam seminantur, qui nulla fide, nullo intellectu, nulla saltem tentante utilitatis occasione, percipere dignantur. Porro super petram et in spinis seminantur, qui audiunt quidem et utilitatem verbi probant et desiderium gustant, sed ne perveniant ad id quod gestiunt: vel per adversa terrendo, vel prospera blandiendo retardant. His tribus generibus quicunque verbum auditum non faciunt designantur.

8.12 That however otherwise/wrongly way/road. Secus way/road they_are_sown, who/which none with_faith, with_no_one with_understanding, none at_least/after_all tentante utilitatis on_occasion, to_perceive worthyntur. Further over a_rock and in/into/on thorns they_are_sown, who/which they_hear indeed and benefit words probant and desire/wish gustant, but not perveniant to that that gestiunt: or through adverse terrendo, or prosperous blandiendo retardant. His tribe to_breedbus whoever the_word/saying hearing not/no they_do are_designated.

UGNT οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν.
(hoi de para taʸn hodon eisin hoi akousantes, eita erⱪetai ho diabolos kai airei ton logon apo taʸs kardias autōn, hina maʸ pisteusantes sōthōsin.)

SBL-GNT οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ⸀ἀκούσαντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν.
(hoi de para taʸn hodon eisin hoi ⸀akousantes, eita erⱪetai ho diabolos kai airei ton logon apo taʸs kardias autōn, hina maʸ pisteusantes sōthōsin.)

RP-GNT Οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν εἰσὶν οἱ ἀκούοντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν.
(Hoi de para taʸn hodon eisin hoi akouontes, eita erⱪetai ho diabolos kai airei ton logon apo taʸs kardias autōn, hina maʸ pisteusantes sōthōsin.)

TC-GNT Οἱ δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ [fn]ἀκούοντες, εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν.
(Hoi de para taʸn hodon eisin hoi akouontes, eita erⱪetai ho diabolos kai airei ton logon apo taʸs kardias autōn, hina maʸ pisteusantes sōthōsin. )

8:12 ακουοντες ¦ ακουσαντες ANT CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:9–15: Jesus explained the parable about four types of soil

In 8:9–10 Jesus explained why he taught in parables. Then in 8:11–15 he explained the meaning of the parable in 8:1–8b. The basic meaning of Jesus’ explanation is clear. However, there are questions about the meaning of the seed in this section. In 8:11 the seed refers to the word of God. In 8:12–15 what is sown seems to refer to the people who hear the word. This has led to several interpretations for the seed in 8:12–15.

The interpretation that the Notes follows is that in 8:12–15 the seed continues to represent the word. The introductory expressions such as “those on/beside/in…are…” (RSV) refer generally to four different ways in which people hear and respond to the word.

Many scholars support this interpretation in their commentaries. In some versions the seed appears to refer to the people. However, even in these versions, the text implies that the seed of the word has different results in different kinds of people.

Here is the meaning of the main metaphors in the parable:

The seeds represent the word, which is the message from God.
The sowing of the seed represents telling the message to people.
The different kinds of soil represent the way different people hear the message.

This section heading should be similar to the section heading for 8:1–10. You may use the word “explained” or “Jesus explained” (instead of “Jesus told”).

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Jesus explained the parable of the sower and the soils

The parable/story/illustration about the four soils explained

The explanation of the parable about four kinds of people

The meaning of the parable of a man scattering seed

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 13:18–23 and Mark 4:13–20.

8:12a

The seeds along the path are those who hear,

The seeds scattered on the path illustrate people who hear God’s word.
The example/picture of the seed that fell on the path represents people who hear the message.

The seeds along the path are those who hear: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as The seeds along the path introduces what happens when some seeds fall along the path.There is disagreement among scholars as to whether the masculine plural form (οἱ) refers to “seeds” or to “people.” However, either way the global sense of Jesus’ explanation is that the whole image of the seed, soil, and what takes place are representative of different types of people based on the way they respond to the Word. So this may either be “they along the path (= the seeds that fall along the path together with all that happens there) are/represent the ones who hear….” or “they along the path (= the people represented by the seed along the path and all that happens there) are the ones who hear….” This general situation, not just the seeds, represents people who hear God’s message. It may be helpful to translate this as:

When seeds fall on the path, that is like when people hear God’s message…

The picture of the seeds scattered on the path represent the kind of people who hear God’s message…

along the path: Translate this phrase as you did in 8:5b.

8:12b

but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,

Then the devil comes and causes them to stop thinking about God’s word
Then, just as the birds ate up the seeds, the devil takes away the message from their hearts/minds.

but: In this context the Greek word that the BSB translates as but implies that the devil comes soon after the people hear the word. Other English versions say “and then” (NIV), “then” (RSV), “or “but then” (NLT96). Use a natural connection in your language.

the devil comes and takes away the word: This part of the verse explains the meaning of the birds devouring the seeds in 8:5. The devil is like the birds. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explanation more explicit. For example:

the devil, like the birds, comes and takes away the word

like the birds that eat the seeds, the devil comes and takes away the word

the devil: The phrase the devil is another name for Satan. Both names refer to the same being. You may need to use the same term for Satan and the devil in your translation to make this clear.

The term the devil refers to the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. He is the enemy of God and God’s people. Here are some ways to translate the devil:

Use a local name or idiom that refers to the chief of all demons.
Use a descriptive phrase such as
the chief/leader of the evil spirits
the spirit enemy of God

Try to use a term that will be acceptable to churches in the area. It is suggested that you also add a footnote or glossary entry that further explains who the devil is. For example:

The devil is the leader of all the evil spirits or demons. Once he was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God. God expelled him from heaven, and now he tempts people on earth. Other names for him in the Bible are “Beelzebul,” “Satan,” “the Evil One,” “the Enemy,” and “the Tempter.”

takes away the word from their hearts: This phrase indicates that Satan causes people to forget or ignore God’s message. Another way to express this meaning is:

causes them to forget the word/message

The word hearts is an idiom here. It does not refer literally to the part of the body called the heart. The Jews considered the heart to be the part of a person that thinks about things and remembers them. Some languages may have a similar idiom that uses a different part of the body, such as the stomach or liver. Other languages may express the meaning without an idiom, as in the example above.

8:12c

so that they may not believe and be saved.

in order to prevent them from believing and being saved/rescued.
He does this to stop them from believing God’s message, which would result in God saving them from their sins.

so that they may not believe and be saved: This is a purpose clause. It explains the reason why the devil takes away the word from the hearts of some people who hear God’s word. The devil does not want them to believe the word and be saved. In some languages it may be helpful to make this clear by saying:

He does not want them to believe and be saved.

believe and be saved: The actions believe and be saved are closely connected. The text implies that a person is saved by believing, It implies that being saved is the result of believing. Other ways to express this connection are:

be saved by/through believing

believe and be saved as a result

believe: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as believe here refers to having confidence in God’s message. A person who has this confidence in the message accepts it and obeys it. In this context the word believe implies that the person who accepts God’s message entrusts himself to God.

Some other ways to translate this are:

believe/accept the word

believe and trust the word

See believe, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

be saved: The Greek word that the BSB translates as be saved means to “be rescued from danger or trouble.” In this context it refers to being rescued from the spiritual dangers of sin and the punishment from God that results from sinning.

The verb be saved is passive. It some languages it may be necessary to use an active verb form and indicate that God is the one who saves. For example:

so that they may not believe and God would save/rescue them

In some languages it may be necessary to say what God would save these people from. For example:

be saved from sin

be rescued from punishment for sin

See save, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οἱ & παρὰ τὴν ὁδόν εἰσιν οἱ ἀκούσαντες

the_‹ones› & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ παρά τήν ὁδόν εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καί αἴρει τόν λόγον ἀπό τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν ἵνα μή πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν)

Jesus begins to explain the figurative meanings of the seeds that fell in different places. Alternate translation: [The seeds that fell along the path represent people who hear the message]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν

thereafter ˓is˒_coming the devil (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ παρά τήν ὁδόν εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καί αἴρει τόν λόγον ἀπό τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν ἵνα μή πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν)

The parable represented this as a bird snatching away seeds. Try to use words in your language that retain that image. Alternate translation: [but then the devil comes and snatches the message away from them]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν

The word hearts represents the thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: [the devil comes and keeps them from understanding and appreciating the message]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καὶ αἴρει τὸν λόγον ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν

Based on the figurative meaning of the parable, the implication is that these people did not appreciate the message deeply, just as seeds could not go down deep into the hard-packed soil of the path. And so the devil would be able to break up their superficial awareness and concentration by distracting them with everyday concerns. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [the devil distracts them and they forget about the message they heard]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸν λόγον

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ παρά τήν ὁδόν εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καί αἴρει τόν λόγον ἀπό τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν ἵνα μή πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν)

Jesus is using the term word to refer to the message that people share by using words. Alternate translation: [the message]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἵνα μὴ πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν

in_order_that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Δέ παρά τήν ὁδόν εἰσίν οἱ ἀκούσαντες εἶτα ἔρχεται ὁ διάβολος καί αἴρει τόν λόγον ἀπό τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν ἵνα μή πιστεύσαντες σωθῶσιν)

This phrase explains the devil’s purpose. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who would do the action. Alternate translation: [because the devil does not want them to trust in God so that God will save them]

Parallel LUKE 8:12

Section 8:9–15: Jesus explained the parable about four types of soil

8:12a

8:12b

8:12c