Luke 6:49

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 6:49 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Luke 6:49 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
49But 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he that heareth, and doth not, etc.] Hears Christ's sayings externally, but does not obey his commands: is like a man that without a foundation built upon the earth: that is, without digging for a foundation, built his house upon the surface of the earth; “upon the dust of it”, as the Syriac version renders it; or, “upon the sand”, as Matthew says: “against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great”; (See Gill on “<400726>Matthew 7:26-27”)”
Read attributed excerpt →
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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:49 anyone who hears and doesn’t obey: See Ezek 33:31-33.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that heareth: Luk 6:46, Luk 8:5-7, Luk 19:14, Luk 19:27; Jer 44:16, Jer 44:17; Eze 33:31; Mat 21:29, Mat 21:30, Mat 23:3; Joh 15:2; Jam 1:22-26, Jam 2:17-26; Pe2 1:5-9; Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:4 against: Mat 13:20-22, Mat 24:10; Act 20:29, Act 26:11; Th1 3:5 immediately: Pro 28:18; Hos 4:14; Mat 12:43-45; Mar 4:17; Jo1 2:19 the ruin: Luk 10:12-16, Luk 11:24-26, Luk 12:47; Heb 10:26-29; Pe2 2:20 Next: Luke Chapter 7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification