Luke 6:38 kjv
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:38 nkjv
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Luke 6:38 niv
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Luke 6:38 esv
give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
Luke 6:38 nlt
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full ? pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. "
Luke 6 38 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Mt 7:2 | For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. | Principle of reciprocal judgment |
Mk 4:24 | And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.” | Reciprocity and added abundance |
Mt 6:14-15 | For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you… | Forgiveness received based on forgiveness given |
Prov 11:24 | One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. | Generosity brings increase |
Prov 11:25 | Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. | Reaping what one sows (blessing) |
2 Cor 9:6 | The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | Sowing and reaping in giving |
2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Motivation for giving is cheerfulness |
2 Cor 9:8 | And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. | God's enabling grace for generosity |
Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Universal law of sowing and reaping |
Gal 6:9-10 | And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up... | Perseverance in doing good brings reward |
Phil 4:18-19 | I have received full payment, and more... and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God supplies needs for generosity |
Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. | Giving to poor prevents want |
Deut 15:10 | You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work... | Blessed for generous giving |
Is 58:10 | if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness... | Blessing for compassion and provision |
Joel 2:24 | The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. | Metaphor for abundance from God |
Acts 20:35 | ...remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ | Christ's teaching on giving |
Heb 6:10 | For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints... | God remembers and rewards service |
Jas 2:13 | For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. | Reciprocity of mercy and judgment |
Rom 12:8 | the one who contributes, in generosity... | Call to generosity as a gift |
Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth... then your barns will be filled with plenty... | Honouring God with resources brings abundance |
Eph 6:8 | knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord... | Reciprocity for all good deeds |
Lk 6:37 | “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven..." | Immediate preceding context of reciprocity |
Ps 72:12-13 | For he delivers the needy when he calls... He has pity on the weak and the needy... | God's compassion reflects human compassion |
Luke 6 verses
Luke 6 38 Meaning
Luke 6:38 articulates a profound principle of reciprocal divine action: the measure by which one gives will be the measure by which one receives from God. It encourages believers to cultivate generous, merciful, and unselfish giving, promising an overflowing, abundant return. This spiritual law applies not just to material blessings, but also to grace, mercy, and forgiveness extended to others.
Luke 6 38 Context
Luke 6:38 is part of Jesus's "Sermon on the Plain" (Lk 6:17-49), a parallel to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. Specifically, it follows a passage (Lk 6:27-36) where Jesus commands radical love for enemies, extending forgiveness, and lending without expecting repayment, culminating in the call to be merciful as the Father is merciful. Verse 37 sets up the principle of reciprocal judgment ("Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven"). Verse 38 directly extends this "measure for measure" principle to acts of giving. It highlights that the generosity and quality of one's outward actions toward others are directly connected to the generosity and quality of God's blessing returned. The cultural context often involved merchants measuring grains into the laps (a fold in their garments used as a carrying pouch) of customers, where over-measurement demonstrated extraordinary generosity.
Luke 6 38 Word analysis
- Give (δίδωμι - didomi): An active imperative, a direct command to continually give. This implies initiating generosity, not merely responding. It means to impart, to supply, to furnish, indicating a proactive distribution of resources, help, or kindness.
- and it will be given (δοθήσεται - dothēsetai): A future passive verb. The passive voice ("it will be given") often indicates a "divine passive," implying that God is the primary, though unstated, agent of the giving. This emphasizes God's sovereign hand in returning the generosity.
- to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): The personal and direct recipient. The promise is specifically for those who give.
- good measure (μέτρον καλόν - metron kalon): "Measure" refers to a standard quantity or container for dry goods (like grain). "Good" (kalon) signifies excellent quality, noble, fit for its purpose. It implies a generous, high-quality, and acceptable quantity.
- pressed down (πεπιεσμένον - pepiesmenon): Perfect passive participle, referring to the action taken to maximize the volume within a measure. Like compacting grain so more fits, showing no space wasted. This signifies a fullness beyond just the physical volume.
- shaken together (σεσαλευμένον - sesaleumenon): Perfect passive participle, another action to settle the contents in the measure, allowing even more to be added. This also speaks of maximal filling, going above and beyond.
- running over (ὑπερεκχυννόμενον - hyperekchynnomenon): Present middle/passive participle, meaning "overflowing, spilling out." This paints a picture of extreme abundance, so much so that the container cannot hold it all, symbolizing lavish generosity beyond expectation.
- they will pour into your lap (δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν - dosousin eis ton kolpon hymon): "They" is an indefinite third person plural, another potential "divine passive" referring to people (or God working through people) who return the abundance. "Into your lap" refers to the fold in a loose outer garment (toga-like robe) that could be gathered and used as a temporary receptacle or carrying pouch for goods, especially in markets. This vivid image denotes direct, personal, abundant provision that is easy to receive and carry.
- For with the measure (ἐν γὰρ ᾧ μέτρῳ - en gar hō metrō): "For" (gar) introduces the explanation or reason. This clause establishes the underlying principle or law of reciprocity. The method and degree of your giving set the standard.
- you measure (μετρεῖτε - metrete): A present active verb, referring to the act of measuring or assessing. It is the human act of determining the standard applied to others, whether in giving, judgment, or mercy.
- it will be measured back to you (ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν - antimetrēthēsetai hymin): Future passive verb again, stressing divine retribution or reciprocal action. "Measured back" (antimetreō) specifically indicates a reciprocal measurement—the very same measure, proportion, or standard applied to others will be applied back to oneself. This completes the spiritual law: cause and effect are linked directly to one's actions.
Luke 6 38 Bonus section
The principles articulated in Luke 6:38 form a critical part of Jesus's ethical teachings regarding radical Kingdom values, challenging conventional self-preservation or mere justice. It moves beyond "an eye for an eye" to an economy of abundant grace and generosity. This teaching implicitly rebukes any approach to spirituality that is calculating or minimalistic in its outflow of love and resources, for such a limited measure will result in a limited return. It applies not just to financial giving, but to all areas of life where one extends self—time, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. The ultimate example of this giving is God Himself, who gave His only Son (Jn 3:16), ensuring that He receives and returns immeasurably more than could be imagined.
Luke 6 38 Commentary
Luke 6:38 is not merely an encouragement to charitable giving, but a divine principle concerning the law of reciprocity in the Kingdom of God. Jesus illustrates that God operates on a "measure for measure" standard. When a believer extends generosity—whether it be forgiveness, compassion, material aid, or selfless service—it activates God's corresponding and surpassing generosity in their lives. The imagery of a "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over" describes a farmer or merchant so determined to fill a container to its absolute capacity that they physically manipulate the contents, ensuring no space is wasted and overflowing bounty is achieved. This vivid metaphor emphasizes the extraordinary and superabundant way God reciprocates human giving. The "lap" receiving this overflow points to a direct, personal, and tangible blessing. This verse underscores that Christian living involves an active outgoing love that trusts in God's limitless provision, promising that those who give abundantly and unselfishly will find themselves on the receiving end of His overflowing grace and blessings. This is not a transactional formula, but a revelation of God’s nature that responds to heartfelt obedience and generosity.