What does Luke 6:46-49 mean?
"Luke 6:46-49: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 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. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." - Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6:46-49 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is a passage in which Jesus addresses his disciples and the crowd, emphasizing the importance of not only hearing his teachings but also putting them into practice. This passage is part of the Sermon on the Plain, a collection of teachings and parables delivered by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
The passage begins with Jesus asking a rhetorical question: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46, KJV). This question challenges the disciples and the crowd to reflect on their actions and the sincerity of their faith. Essentially, Jesus is addressing the hypocrisy of those who claim to follow him and yet do not live according to his teachings.
The following verse further emphasizes this point: "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like" (Luke 6:47, KJV). Jesus is highlighting the importance of not just listening to his words, but actively living them out in one's daily life. This concept is central to the teachings of Jesus throughout the Gospels, as he often spoke about the importance of faith being demonstrated through one's actions.
To illustrate this point, Jesus tells a parable in verses 48 and 49: "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. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great" (Luke 6:48-49, KJV). This parable uses the metaphor of building a house to illustrate the difference between those who hear and do Jesus' teachings and those who hear but do not act on them.
The theme of building a solid foundation for one's faith and life is central to this passage. The rock symbolizes a firm and unwavering commitment to following Jesus' teachings, while the unstable earth represents a lack of a strong foundation. In the face of life's difficulties and challenges, those who have built their faith on the rock of obedience to Jesus' words will stand firm, while those who have not will fall.
The context of this passage is important for understanding its significance. The Sermon on the Plain, in which this passage is found, is often compared to the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, as it contains similar teachings and themes. In this sermon, Jesus addresses a multitude of people, speaking directly to his disciples but also to a larger crowd. The sermon covers a wide range of topics, including blessings and woes, love for enemies, and judging others. This passage on building one's foundation on solid ground is part of Jesus' broader teachings on ethical living and the nature of true discipleship.
Overall, Luke 6:46-49 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of not only hearing Jesus' teachings but also putting them into practice. It challenges believers to examine the sincerity of their faith and to ensure that it is demonstrated through their actions and way of life. The symbolism of building on a rock versus on unstable ground conveys the significance of establishing a firm foundation for one's faith and the consequences of failing to do so. This passage continues to offer timeless wisdom and guidance for Christians seeking to live out their faith authentically.
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Luke 6:46-49 Artwork
Luke 6:46-49 - "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug 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. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug 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. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." - Luke 6:46-49
Luk 2:46-49
Luke 6:46 - "¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
"¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" - Luke 6:46
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 6:49 - "But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
Luke 12: 49
Luke 9:46 - "¶ Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest."
Luke 1:46 - "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,"
Luke 12:49 - "¶ I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"
Luke 1:49 - "For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name."
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 7:49 - "And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?"
Luke 8:46 - "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."
Psalms 49:6 - "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;"
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
John 6:49 - "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead."
Luke 23:49 - "And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things."
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:46-49 (KJVA) 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luke 22:46 - "And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Luke 7:46 - "My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment."
Luke 11:49 - "Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:"
Jeremiah 49:6 - "And afterward I will bring again the captivity of the children of Ammon, saith the LORD."
1 Chronicles 6:46 - "The son of Amzi, the son of Bani, the son of Shamer,"
Luke 19:46 - "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."
Luke 1:46-47 - "And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."