Luke 8:18
New International Version
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

New Living Translation
“So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.”

English Standard Version
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

Berean Standard Bible
Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore take heed how you hear; for whoever might have, to him will be given; and whoever might not have, even what he seems to have will be taken away from him."

King James Bible
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

New King James Version
Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

New American Standard Bible
So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

NASB 1995
“So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

NASB 1977
“Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So beware how you listen, for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Amplified Bible
So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

American Standard Version
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

Contemporary English Version
Pay attention to how you listen! Everyone who has something will be given more, but people who have nothing will lose what little they think they have.

English Revised Version
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"So pay attention to how you listen! Those who understand [these mysteries] will be given [more knowledge]. However, some people don't understand [these mysteries]. Even what they think they understand will be taken away from them."

Good News Translation
"Be careful, then, how you listen; because those who have something will be given more, but whoever has nothing will have taken away from them even the little they think they have."

International Standard Version
So pay attention to how you listen, because to the one who has something, more will be given. However, from the one who doesn't have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him."

Majority Standard Bible
Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

NET Bible
So listen carefully, for whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

New Heart English Bible
So consider carefully how you listen. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever does not have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has."

Webster's Bible Translation
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whoever hath, to him shall be given; and whoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Weymouth New Testament
Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him."

World English Bible
Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
See, therefore, how you hear, for whoever may have, there will be given to him, and whoever may not have, also what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore take heed how you hear; for whoever might have, to him will be given; and whoever might not have, even what he seems to have will be taken away from him."

Young's Literal Translation
'See, therefore, how ye hear, for whoever may have, there shall be given to him, and whoever may not have, also what he seemeth to have, shall be taken from him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
See therefore how ye hear: for whoever should have, shall be given him; and whoever should not have, and what he seems to have shall be taken away from him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Take heed therefore how you hear. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and whosoever hath not, that also which he thinketh he hath, shall be taken away from him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, take care how you listen. For whoever has, it will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

New American Bible
Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Take heed how you hear; for he who has, to him shall be given; and he who has not, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Take heed how you hear. Whoever has it, it will be given to him, and whoever does not have it, also that which he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Take heed, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, even that which he seems to have shall be taken from him.

Godbey New Testament
Therefore see how you hear: for whosoever may have, it shall be given unto him; and whosoever may not have, it shall be taken from him, even that which he seems to have.

Haweis New Testament
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, even what he seemeth to have shall be taken away from.

Mace New Testament
improve therefore what you hear: for he that improves what he has, shall have more; but he that does not, shall lose even that, which he thinks he possesses.

Weymouth New Testament
Be careful, therefore, how you hear; for whoever has anything, to him more shall be given, and whoever has nothing, even that which he thinks he has shall be taken away from him."

Worrell New Testament
Take heed, therefore, how ye hear; for whosoever has, to him shall be given; and whosoever has not, even what he seems to have shall be taken from him."

Worsley New Testament
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever improveth what he hath, to him shall more be given; and whosoever hath not, even what he seemeth to have shall be taken from him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lesson of the Lamp
17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light. 18Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.” 19Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him, but they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:12
Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Mark 4:24-25
He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you. / For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Matthew 25:29
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Luke 19:26
He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Hebrews 2:1
We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Ezekiel 3:10
“Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully to all the words I speak to you, and take them to heart.

2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Take heed therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.

heed.

Luke 9:44
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Deuteronomy 32:46,47
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law…

Proverbs 2:2-5
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; …

for.

Luke 19:26
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Matthew 13:12
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Matthew 25:29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

from.

Luke 12:20,21
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? …

Luke 16:2-4,19-25
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward…

Matthew 7:22,23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? …

seemeth to have.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

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Luke 8
1. Women minister unto Jesus of their own means.
4. Jesus, after he had preached from place to place,
9. explains the parable of the sower,
16. and the candle;
19. declares who are his mother, and brothers;
22. rebukes the winds;
26. casts the legion of demons out of the man into the herd of pigs;
37. is rejected by the Gadarenes;
43. heals the woman of her bleeding;
49. and raises Jairus's daughter from death.














Pay attention
The Greek word used here is "βλέπετε" (blepete), which means to see, perceive, or take heed. This is a call to active engagement and mindfulness. In the context of Jesus' teachings, it emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and discerning in spiritual matters. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of Shema, which means to hear and obey, underscoring the importance of not just hearing but truly understanding and acting upon God's word.

therefore
This word connects the current statement to the preceding context, where Jesus has been teaching about the parable of the sower and the lamp under a jar. It serves as a conclusion or application of the previous teachings, urging the listener to apply the lessons learned in a practical manner.

to how you listen
The phrase emphasizes the manner or quality of listening. The Greek word "ἀκούετε" (akouete) implies not just hearing sounds but understanding and internalizing the message. In a scriptural context, this means being open to the Holy Spirit's guidance and being receptive to divine truth. It is a call to listen with the heart and mind, ensuring that the word of God takes root and bears fruit in one's life.

Whoever has
This phrase suggests possession, not just of material things, but of spiritual understanding and insight. In the biblical context, it refers to those who have received and embraced the teachings of Jesus, allowing them to grow in faith and wisdom. The historical context of Jesus' audience, who were familiar with the scarcity of resources, would understand this as a metaphor for spiritual abundance.

will be given more
This promise of abundance is a principle of divine generosity. In the Greek, "δοθήσεται" (dothēsetai) indicates a future passive action, meaning that God will actively provide more to those who are faithful stewards of what they have. This reflects the biblical principle that faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities and blessings.

but whoever does not have
This phrase highlights a lack of spiritual insight or receptivity. It serves as a warning to those who are indifferent or dismissive of Jesus' teachings. In the scriptural context, it underscores the danger of spiritual complacency and the risk of losing even the little understanding one might possess.

even what he thinks he has
The Greek word "δοκεῖ" (dokei) means to seem or suppose, indicating a false sense of security or self-deception. This phrase warns against the illusion of spiritual richness without true substance. It challenges believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their faith is genuine and not just superficial.

will be taken away from him
This is a sobering conclusion, emphasizing the consequences of neglecting spiritual growth. The passive voice in "ἀρθήσεται" (arthēsetai) suggests divine action, where God allows the natural consequences of spiritual neglect to unfold. It serves as a reminder of the urgency to cultivate and nurture one's faith, lest it withers away.

(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear.--This again meets us in different contexts. Here and in Matthew 13:12 (where see Note), after the interpretation of the Sower; in Matthew 25:29, as the lesson of the parable of the Talents; in Luke 19:26, in an analogous position, as the lesson of the parable of the Pounds.

That which he seemeth to have.--Better, with the margin, as 1Corinthians 10:12, that which he thinks he hath. It is only in this passage that the close of the proverb takes this form. The man who does not use his knowledge has no real possession in it; and shallow and unreal as it is, he will lose even that. The work of education in all its many forms, intellectual or spiritual, in boyhood or manhood, presents but too many instances of the operation of this law.

Verse 18. - Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. A grave warning to his disciples primarily, and then to all who take upon themselves any work, even the humblest, connected with teaching Divine truth. The real strident, patient, humble, and restlessly industrious, he shall be endowed with ever-increasing powers; while the make-believe, lazy, and self-sufficient one shall be punished by the gradual waning of the little light which once shone in his soul.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Pay attention,
Βλέπετε (Blepete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

therefore,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

to how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

you listen.
ἀκούετε (akouete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

Whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

has
ἔχῃ (echē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

will be given [more],
δοθήσεται (dothēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

[but]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

does not have,
ἔχῃ (echē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

what
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

he thinks
δοκεῖ (dokei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.

he has
ἔχειν (echein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

will be taken away
ἀρθήσεται (arthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

him.”
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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