Luke 6 48

Luke 6:48 kjv

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luke 6:48 nkjv

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

Luke 6:48 niv

They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Luke 6:48 esv

he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Luke 6:48 nlt

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.

Luke 6 48 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Mt 7:24"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."Parallel parable of the two builders.
Mt 7:26"And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand."Contrast to the foolish builder.
Jas 1:22"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."Direct command to act on the Word.
Jas 1:24"For he who looks at himself, and goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."Danger of merely hearing without doing.
Jas 1:25"But he who looks into the perfect law... not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer..."Blessing for consistent doers of the Word.
1 Cor 3:11"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."Christ as the ultimate foundation.
Isa 28:16"Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.'"God's sure foundation; Christ as the cornerstone.
Eph 2:20"built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone."Apostolic/Prophetic foundation built on Christ.
Psa 62:2"He alone is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken."God as the spiritual rock of stability.
Psa 92:15"To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."The faithfulness of God as a rock.
1 Pet 2:5"you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house..."Believers as stones in a spiritual building.
Deut 6:7"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house..."Emphasis on learning and internalizing God's words.
Josh 1:8"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it."The necessity of constant engagement with the Law to obey it.
Jn 14:15"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."Obedience as proof of love for Christ.
Jn 15:10"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."Obedience leading to abiding in divine love.
Heb 12:27"And this expression, 'Yet once more,' denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken will remain."The unshakeable Kingdom of God.
Prov 10:25"When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation."The contrast between fleeting wickedness and righteous stability.
1 Jn 2:3"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments."Obedience as evidence of knowing Christ.
1 Jn 2:4"The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar..."The deceptive nature of false claims without obedience.
Rom 8:35"Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine..."Trials faced by believers.
Phil 4:13"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."Christ empowers endurance in trials.
Eph 3:17"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love."Being "rooted and grounded" (like a strong foundation) in love.
Jude 1:20"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."The active process of spiritual building.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 48 Meaning

This verse portrays a wise builder who, hearing Jesus’ words, acts upon them. His life, likened to a house, is built on a deep and firm foundation on the rock. This preparedness allows him to withstand severe life trials and adversities, represented by the devastating flood, because his spiritual structure is thoroughly established and unshakable.

Luke 6 48 Context

Luke 6:48 concludes a significant section often called the Sermon on the Plain, following Luke’s version of the Beatitudes and woes, teachings on love for enemies, judging others, and discerning good from evil. Jesus transitions from defining discipleship through internal attitudes and external actions (verses 20-42) to the imperative of practical obedience. The verses immediately preceding (6:46-47) set up this parable by asking, "Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" This verse, therefore, serves as the decisive summation, distinguishing genuine discipleship based on the doing of Christ's words from mere verbal acknowledgment, illustrated through the enduring stability of a properly constructed life against the severe conditions common to regions with wadis (dry riverbeds prone to flash floods). In ancient Palestine, securing a building against such forces necessitated laborious, deep excavation to bedrock, a task many would avoid for quicker, easier construction.

Luke 6 48 Word analysis

  • He is like a man building a house: This phrase introduces a common parable structure, connecting spiritual truth to relatable human experience. The "house" symbolizes a person's life, character, or spiritual existence.
  • who dug deep (ἔσκαψεν βαθύ, eskapsen bathy): The verb eskapsen means 'he dug,' and bathy means 'deep.' Luke’s account uniquely emphasizes this deep digging, indicating significant effort and foresight. It highlights the strenuous, often unseen work required to truly understand and internalize Jesus’ teachings beyond surface-level hearing. This depth ensures the foundation's contact with bedrock, symbolizing genuine commitment and total submission to Christ's teachings.
  • and laid the foundation (ἔθηκεν θεμέλιον, ethēken themelion): The "foundation" is the underlying support upon which the entire structure rests. Spiritually, it signifies the core principles and truths of one's faith.
  • on the rock (ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, epi tēn petran): Petra refers to solid bedrock. It is stable, unchanging, and impervious to erosion. Symbolically, this refers to Christ Himself, or His unshakeable, authoritative teachings when truly applied and obeyed. It underscores the reliability and permanence of living according to Christ's wisdom.
  • and when a flood arose (πλημμύρας γενομένης, plemmyras genomenēs): Plemmyra denotes a "flood" or "overflowing." In the context of ancient Palestine, wadi areas were susceptible to sudden, devastating flash floods. This vividly depicts life's inevitable, unpredictable, and powerful trials, persecutions, temptations, and crises that test one's spiritual structure.
  • the torrent burst against that house (προσέρρηξεν ὁ ποταμὸς τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, proserrexen ho potamos tē oikia ekeinē): Proserrexen means 'dashed against' or 'struck forcefully.' Potamos here refers to a river or torrent, indicating the force of the flood. This illustrates the severity and direct impact of the trials.
  • and could not shake it (οὐκ ἴσχυσεν σαλεῦσαι αὐτήν, ouk ischysen saleusai autēn): Saleuō means 'to shake, disturb, make totter.' The phrase indicates complete stability despite immense pressure. A life built on true obedience to Christ’s words remains firm and unyielding even under the greatest pressures.
  • because it had been well built (τεθεμελίωτο γὰρ ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν, tethemeliōto gar epi tēn petran): Tethemeliōto is a perfect passive verb meaning 'it had been founded' or 'it was firmly established.' The perfect tense emphasizes a state of completeness with abiding results. This is the crucial reason for its endurance: the builder's deliberate, effective act of deep founding on the rock. It stresses that lasting resilience is a direct consequence of intentional and obedient spiritual construction based on Christ’s reliable word.

Luke 6 48 Bonus section

The passive voice in "it had been well built" (τεθεμελίωτο) subtly highlights that the endurance is not just due to the builder's effort, but also due to the inherent quality of the "rock" itself (Christ and His teachings) and perhaps even God's enabling grace that makes such lasting establishment possible for those who truly commit. The specific mention of "digging deep" by Luke (absent in Matthew's parallel account) underlines the significant personal effort and cost involved in securing a firm spiritual foundation—it’s not a quick or easy process, but a deliberate and painstaking one, echoing the narrow gate or narrow path imagery elsewhere. This parable stands as a foundational principle of kingdom living, where stability and blessedness are tied directly to active obedience, contrasting with mere profession of faith.

Luke 6 48 Commentary

Luke 6:48 profoundly illustrates the difference between theoretical Christianity and applied faith. Jesus’ core message here is not merely about hearing His words, which many did, but about the diligent and obedient doing of them. The man who builds on the rock takes pains to excavate deeply, representing the costly and committed effort required to truly align one's life with divine principles, delving beneath superficial understanding to lay a genuine spiritual foundation. This "rock" signifies Jesus’ teachings themselves, as well as His very person, as the immovable truth. When the storms of life inevitably strike, be it adversity, temptation, or persecution, a life genuinely anchored in Christ through active obedience will stand unshaken. This is not about effortless triumph, but enduring stability forged through disciplined spiritual work. It is a powerful call to serious discipleship, where belief translates into behavior, and the test of a follower’s sincerity is their perseverance in living out the Master’s commands.

Example: Consider a student diligently preparing for exams throughout the semester, internalizing material, compared to one who only passively attends lectures. When the difficult final exam arrives (the "flood"), the prepared student will face it with confidence and likely pass (the "house stands firm"), while the unprepared one will struggle and fail. Spiritually, obedient living creates inner strength to withstand any external pressure.