Meaning of Matthew 9:37

This verse, spoken by Jesus to his disciples, vividly illustrates the immense spiritual need of the world and the scarcity of those actively engaged in addressing it. The metaphor of a "plentiful harvest" signifies the vast number of people ready to receive the Gospel and enter into God's kingdom, while "few workers" highlights the insufficient number of individuals willing to dedicate themselves to the task of evangelism and discipleship. This statement is not a lament of despair but a call to action, underscoring the urgency and importance of the mission entrusted to Jesus' followers.

Context and Background

Jesus utters these words in the midst of his Galilean ministry, a period marked by extensive teaching, healing, and the gathering of disciples. He has just performed several miracles, including healing the blind and mute man (Matthew 9:22-34), which likely drew large crowds and demonstrated his divine authority and compassion. This context of witnessing the spiritual hunger and need of the people, coupled with the growing number of disciples, sets the stage for his pronouncement about the harvest.

Key Themes and Messages

• Vast Spiritual Need: The "plentiful harvest" emphasizes the readiness of people to respond to the Gospel. It suggests a receptive spiritual soil, ripe for the sowing of God's word.
• Scarcity of Laborers: The "few workers" points to a critical shortage of individuals committed to the Great Commission. This isn't a commentary on the number of believers but on the active participation in evangelistic and discipleship efforts.
• Urgency of the Mission: The agricultural metaphor implies a timely endeavor. A harvest, if left ungathered, spoils. This conveys the urgency of reaching people with the Gospel before opportunities are lost.
• The Disciples' Role: Jesus directly addresses his disciples, indicating that this mission is their responsibility, empowered and commissioned by him.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse has profound implications for believers today. It calls for a re-evaluation of our personal commitment to evangelism and discipleship. The "plentiful harvest" is still present in the world, with billions of people who have not yet encountered or fully embraced the message of salvation. The "few workers" remains a persistent reality, often due to fear, comfort, or a lack of understanding of the urgency. Applying this verse means:

• Prayer: Jesus immediately follows this statement by urging his disciples to "pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:38), highlighting prayer as the primary means of addressing the worker shortage.
• Mobilization: It calls for believers to actively participate in spreading the Gospel, whether through direct evangelism, supporting missions, or discipling others.
• Prioritization: It encourages believers to prioritize God's mission above personal comfort or lesser pursuits.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Matthew 9:37 is a pivotal statement that anticipates Jesus' later commands, such as the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where he explicitly commissions his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." It also aligns with the prophetic visions of God's salvation reaching all peoples, as seen in passages like Isaiah 2:2-4 and Revelation 7:9. The theme of God's desire for all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) is powerfully underscored by this verse.

Analogies

• A Farmer and a Ripe Field: Imagine a farmer who has a vast field of grain that is perfectly ripe for harvesting. He knows that if he doesn't harvest it quickly, the grain will fall to the ground and be lost. However, he only has a few helpers. The urgency is clear; he needs more hands to save the crop.
• A Doctor with Many Sick Patients: Consider a doctor who has a waiting room filled with people needing urgent medical attention. The need is overwhelming, but the doctor has only a few nurses to assist him. The doctor would be constantly seeking more help to care for everyone.

Relation to Other Verses

• Matthew 9:38: This verse is inextricably linked to the subsequent command to pray for more laborers, emphasizing that God is the ultimate source of workers.
• Luke 10:2: Jesus repeats this sentiment to the seventy-two sent out, reinforcing the ongoing nature of this spiritual reality.
• John 4:35: Jesus uses a similar agricultural metaphor when he tells his disciples, "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvesting." This highlights the spiritual readiness of people.
• Acts 1:8: The promise of the Holy Spirit empowering believers to be witnesses is the divine enablement necessary to address the shortage of workers.
• 1 Corinthians 3:9: Paul describes believers as "God's field, God's building," underscoring that the work of spiritual growth and salvation is a divine enterprise in which humans are called to participate.