# Matthew 9.38

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-06-01 | updated: 2026-06-01 -->

**Book:** [Matthew](/codex/matthew-the-apostle/) · NASB95

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. 37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few.
>
> **38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.** (Matthew 9:36-38, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 37. Then he said to his disciples, <span class="rl-speech">“The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.</span>
>
> **38. <span class="rl-speech">Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”</span>** (Matthew 9:36-38, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. <sup>fainted: or, were tired and lay down</sup> 37. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
>
> **38. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.** (Matthew 9:36-38, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 36. And having seen the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, that they were faint and cast aside, as sheep not having a shepherd, 37. then saith he to his disciples, 'The harvest indeed [is] abundant, but the workmen few;
>
> **38. beseech ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he may put forth workmen to His harvest.'** (Matthew 9:36-38, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** _TBD_
- **Audience:** _TBD_
- **Location:** _TBD_
- **Time period:** _TBD_

## Theological reading

_Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._

## Key words

_Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap._

- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_

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## Quoted in

**Concepts:**

- [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Matthew 9.37-38](/codex/matthew-9-37-38/)
- [Prayers for Evangelism](/codex/prayers-for-evangelism/)

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_Scripture quotations taken from the **New American Standard Bible®** (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by **The Lockman Foundation**. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [www.lockman.org](https://www.lockman.org)_

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.