Luke 6:40
What does Luke 6:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:40 means
Jesus stated, "The disciple is not above his teacher: but everyone when he is perfected shall be as his teacher." This proverb emphasizes the relationship between a follower and their master. It teaches that disciples are to learn from and emulate their teacher, striving to become like them in character, knowledge, and practice. While acknowledging that a disciple may not immediately surpass their master, it offers the trajectory of spiritual development: through diligent learning and growth, believers are meant to be fully conformed to the likeness of Christ, their ultimate teacher.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The disciple is not greater than his master, but everyone whose learning is complete will be like his master.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one perfected shall be as his teacher.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The disciple is not above his teacher, but every one that is perfected shall be as his teacher.
Context
This verse builds on the previous parable about blind guides, clarifying the ideal relationship between a disciple and their teacher. It provides a foundational understanding of spiritual formation, emphasizing the goal of becoming like Christ. This principle of emulation underpins the subsequent warnings against hypocrisy and the call for self-examination before attempting to correct others.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 23:15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is become so, ye make him twofold more a son of hell than yourselves.
- John 13:16
Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
- John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
- Matthew 10:24
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
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