New Testament · Gospel

Luke 6:48

Blessings and Woes

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:48 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 6:48, in plain English

That person is like someone who dug deep, laid a foundation on solid rock, and when the flood came and the torrent hit, the house stood firm because it was built right.

Why it's here

Building on rock takes more effort — you have to dig deeper. But when the storm comes, that effort saves everything.

Who's speaking

Jesus paints a picture of the person who puts His words into practice.

Where it sits in the story

Life's storms will come for everyone. The question isn't whether you'll face them, but what you've built your life on. A life built on Jesus' words won't be shaken when everything else falls apart.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The wise builder digs deep (eskapse kai ebathyne) and lays the foundation (themelion) on petra ("rock"). When the flood (plēmmyra) and torrent (potamos) strike, the house stands because it was kalōs oikodomēmenē ("well built").

Language and setting

The deep digging represents the effort of obedience — true discipleship requires labor. The rock foundation is Jesus' teaching, and the storm represents trials and final judgment.

Voice

Jesus describes the wise person who builds their life on His words through obedience.

Significance

The parable presents two outcomes determined by one choice: what foundation you build on. The storms are identical for both builders — the difference is entirely in the foundation.

In context

Luke 6:46–49

46Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?

47I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:

48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

49But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”

Read all of Luke 6 — Blessed are the poor; woe to the rich. Jesus delivers his version of the great sermon and demands a love so radical it includes your enemies.

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