Devine Scripture

Luke 6:49

What does Luke 6:49 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:49 means

In contrast, Jesus described the foolish builder as one who built a house on the earth without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, the house immediately collapsed, and its ruin was great. This vividly illustrates the devastating consequences for those who merely hear Jesus' words but fail to act on them. Their spiritual lives lack depth and stability, making them vulnerable to the trials of life, which will ultimately expose their superficiality and lead to great spiritual collapse. Hearing without doing results in tragic, irreparable ruin.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he who gives hearing, without doing, is like a man building a house on the earth without a base for it; and when the force of the river came against it, straight away it came down; and the destruction of that house was great.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And he who heard and did not, is like to a man having builded a house upon the earth, without a foundation, against which the stream brake forth, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house became great.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he that heareth and doth not is like to a man building his house upon the earth without a foundation: against which the stream beat vehemently. And immediately it fell: and the ruin of that house was great.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he that has heard and not done, is like a man who has built a house on the ground without [a] foundation, on which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the breach of that house was great.

Context

Concluding the parable, this verse presents the contrasting outcome for the foolish builder who neglected a proper foundation. It starkly illustrates the catastrophic consequences of hearing Jesus' words but failing to obey them. This final image serves as a powerful warning, emphasizing the critical importance of practical obedience and providing a somber close to Jesus' profound ethical teachings, urging listeners to build their lives on the solid rock of His commands.

v.48he is like a man building a house, who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock: and when a flood arose, the stream brake against that house, and could not shake it: because it had been well builded.

v.49This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 2:17

    Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

  • Matthew 23:3

    all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.

  • Matthew 13:20

    And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it;

  • Acts 26:11

    And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:5

    For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 6

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 6.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 6:49.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary