Luke 6:40

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 6:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.
Luke 6:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
40The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The disciple is not above his master, etc.] Or “more excellent”, as the Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions render it; that is, in learning and knowledge; if the master is ignorant, the scholar will be so too; and thus it is with teachers, and their people under their care; if the leaders are blind and ignorant, those under their instructions will remain so likewise. These words are an illustration of the preceding parable, and are used to another purpose here than in (<401024>Matthew 10:24). (See Gill on “<401024>Matthew 10:24”) but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. The Vulgate Latin reads it, “every one shall be perfect if he is as his master”; that is, if his master is a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The disciple, &c.--that is, "The disciple aims to come up to his master, and he thinks himself complete when he does so: if you then be blind leaders of the blind, the perfection of one's training under you will only land him the more certainly in one common ruin with yourselves."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage fully illustrated in the sermon on the mount, in Matt. 5–7. Luke 6:21 That hunger now - Matthew has it, “that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Matthew has expressed more fully what Luke has briefly, but there is no contradiction. Luke 6:24-26 These verses have been omitted by Matthew. They seem to have been spoken to the Pharisees. Who are rich - In this world’s goods. They loved them; they had sought for them; they found their consolation in them. It implies, farther, that they would not seek or receive consolation from the gospel. They were proud, and would not seek it; satisfied, and did not desire it; filled with cares, and had no time or disposition to attend to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 10:24; Joh 15:20. Luke 6:41”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“disciple: Mat 10:24, Mat 10:25; Joh 13:16, Joh 15:20 that is perfect shall be as his master: or, shall be perfected as his master, Mat 23:15 Luke 6:41”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification