Luke 6:46 kjv
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luke 6:46 nkjv
"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?
Luke 6:46 niv
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
Luke 6:46 esv
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?
Luke 6:46 nlt
"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
Luke 6 46 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Matt 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’... | Entry into kingdom requires doing God's will. |
Matt 7:24 | "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts..." | Wisdom is hearing and obeying Christ's words. |
Matt 12:50 | "whoever does the will of My Father..." | True family of Jesus is one who obeys. |
Matt 15:8 | "This people honors Me with their lips... " | Heart far from God despite verbal honor. |
Jn 14:15 | "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." | Love for Christ demonstrated by obedience. |
Jn 15:10 | "If you keep My commandments, you will abide..." | Abiding in Christ through obedience. |
Rom 2:13 | "for not the hearers of the Law are just..." | Doers of the Law are justified, not just hearers. |
Rom 10:9 | "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord..." | Confession is important, but often paired with belief (implying action). |
Jas 1:22 | "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not..." | Faith without works is dead. |
Jas 2:14 | "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he..." | Faith without works is dead. |
1 Jn 2:3 | "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if..." | Knowledge of God tied to keeping commands. |
1 Jn 2:4 | "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,'..." | Claims of knowing God refuted by disobedience. |
1 Jn 2:6 | "the one who says that he abides in Him ought..." | Walking as Jesus walked means obeying God. |
1 Jn 3:7 | "The one who practices righteousness is righteous..." | Righteousness is practiced, not just professed. |
Heb 5:9 | "became to all those who obey Him the source..." | Christ's salvation is for the obedient. |
1 Sam 15:22 | "To obey is better than sacrifice..." | God prioritizes obedience over ritual. |
Isa 29:13 | "this people draws near with their words... " | Similar critique of lip service vs. heart. |
Jer 7:23 | "Obey My voice, and I will be your God..." | Covenant relationship based on obedience. |
Ps 119:34 | "Give me understanding, that I may observe Your Law..." | Seeking understanding to practice God's law. |
Lk 6:47-49 | "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words..." | Immediate context: parable of the two builders. |
Jn 13:17 | "If you know these things, you are blessed if you..." | Blessing is for those who do, not just know. |
Luke 6 verses
Luke 6 46 Meaning
Luke 6:46 questions the inconsistency between verbal acknowledgment of Jesus as 'Lord' and a failure to obey His teachings. It emphasizes that genuine submission to Christ's Lordship requires practical adherence to His commands, not merely a superficial profession. True faith is demonstrated through obedient action.
Luke 6 46 Context
Luke 6:46 stands as a culminating challenge at the close of Jesus' extended discourse, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49). Following a series of radical teachings on loving enemies, generous giving, and judging others, Jesus sharpens His focus on the true nature of discipleship. The verse directly precedes the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Luke 6:47-49), which visually illustrates the consequences of merely hearing versus hearing and doing His words. Historically, Jesus often critiqued religious leaders of His day for prioritizing outward shows of piety over sincere obedience to God's will, setting this verse within a broader polemic against hypocrisy and nominal faith prevalent in certain contemporary religious expressions.
Luke 6 46 Word analysis
- Why (Τί, Ti): A rhetorical question signifying surprise, disapproval, or a direct challenge to the listener's inconsistent behavior. It functions to highlight the inherent contradiction in their actions.
- do you call Me (καλεῖτέ με, kaleite me): "Call" (from kaleo) indicates verbal declaration, naming, or acknowledging. It points to a direct address and an active proclamation of identity. The present tense suggests an ongoing action.
- 'Lord, Lord,' (Κύριε Κύριε, Kyrie Kyrie):
- Κύριε (Kyrie): The vocative form of Kyrios, meaning "master," "sir," "lord," or "God." It conveys authority, sovereignty, and supreme power.
- Repetition: The doubling of "Lord" (Kyrie Kyrie) intensifies the address, signifying earnestness, reverence, or deep respect. In biblical literature, repetition often emphasizes a point, in this case, the significant weight of the title being bestowed.
- This phrase signifies a solemn, emphatic acknowledgment of Jesus' authority and divinity.
- and not (καὶ οὐ, kai ou): This conjunction and negation connect the preceding action (calling Him Lord) directly to the following action (not doing His word), exposing a clear and irreconcilable contradiction.
- do (ποιεῖτε, poieite): From poieo, meaning "to make," "to do," "to perform," or "to carry out." This term stresses practical execution, active engagement, and obedience to a command or instruction. It contrasts sharply with mere verbal or mental assent.
- what I say (ἃ λέγω, ha legō): "What" refers to the content of Jesus' teachings and commandments. "Say" (lego) points to Jesus' words, doctrine, and the entire body of truth He communicated, particularly in the sermon He had just delivered. It underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of His instructions.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,'?": This phrase exposes the deep theological and practical problem of nominalism. It questions the very integrity of someone claiming allegiance and deep respect for Jesus ("Lord, Lord," indicating strong devotion or acknowledgment of His divine status) while their actions are contrary to what such a title implies. The rhetorical "why" challenges the sincerity of their profession.
- "and not do what I say?": This second part identifies the glaring inconsistency. It highlights the indispensable link between genuine profession of faith and practical obedience. True discipleship is defined not by how emphatically one voices their devotion, but by how diligently one lives in conformity to Jesus' spoken commands and teachings. It points to the core requirement of the new covenant relationship—a life characterized by active obedience to the King's instructions.
Luke 6 46 Bonus section
- This verse is often referred to as a "litmus test" for authentic Christian discipleship, probing the depth and sincerity of one's declared faith.
- It strongly implies that professing Jesus as Lord entails not just a cognitive understanding or verbal assent, but a transference of ultimate authority over one's life to Him, leading to volitional obedience.
- The warning within this verse directly sets the stage for the parable of the two builders (Luke 6:47-49), providing the spiritual rationale for why those who merely hear without doing build on a faulty foundation, while those who obey establish a secure one.
- It echoes Old Testament themes where God often rebuked Israel for ritualistic observance without a heart for obedience (e.g., 1 Sam 15:22, Isa 29:13, Jer 7:21-23).
Luke 6 46 Commentary
Luke 6:46 confronts a foundational hypocrisy: claiming Jesus as "Lord" without submitting to His authority through obedience. It’s a direct challenge to a faith that remains purely intellectual or verbal, never translating into action. To declare Jesus "Lord" means recognizing Him as the sovereign ruler, whose every word carries ultimate weight and demands compliance. Therefore, a failure to "do what I say" renders the title hollow and the profession meaningless in the eyes of Christ. True reverence for Jesus is demonstrated through practical submission to His teachings, particularly those outlined in the preceding Sermon on the Plain, which encompass radical love, generosity, and discerning judgment. This verse acts as a vital diagnostic for spiritual sincerity, showing that a life of obedient action is the inescapable evidence of a genuine relationship with Christ and the proper response to His divine Lordship.