King James Version

What Does Luke 6:45 Mean?

Luke 6:45 in the King James Version says “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil trea... — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45 · KJV


Context

43

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

44

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. grapes: Gr. a grape

45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good (ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ τῆς καρδίας, ho agathos anthrōpos ek tou agathou thēsaurou tēs kardias)—the heart's treasure (thēsauros, θησαυρός) determines what emerges. A treasury filled with good produces goodness; one filled with evil (ponēros, πονηρός—actively wicked) produces wickedness. The crucial principle: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (ἐκ γὰρ περισσεύματος καρδίας λαλεῖ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, ek gar perisseumatos kardias lalei to stoma autou).

The word perisseuma (περίσσευμα) means overflow, surplus, abundance. Speech reveals what fills the heart—words overflow from the heart's reservoir. This explains why Jesus emphasized heart transformation, not external conformity. Clean speech without a clean heart is impossible; corrupt speech reveals a corrupt heart. The gospel doesn't merely reform behavior but transforms the heart's treasure through regeneration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism recognized the heart (kardia, καρδία) as the center of thought, will, and emotion—the core of personhood. Jeremiah declared the heart deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9); Ezekiel prophesied God would give a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). Jesus taught that defilement comes from within (Mark 7:20-23)—the heart must be changed. This emphasis on internal transformation distinguished Jesus' teaching from Pharisaic externalism. The mouth speaking from heart-abundance appears in Matthew 12:34—what fills us inevitably overflows.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does your habitual speech reveal about the treasure stored in your heart—what truly fills and drives you?
  2. How does Jesus' teaching that speech flows from heart-abundance challenge superficial attempts to change behavior without addressing heart transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
1 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθόν2 of 37

A good

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

ἄνθρωπος3 of 37

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκ4 of 37

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ5 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθόν6 of 37

A good

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

θησαυροῦ7 of 37

treasure

G2344

a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)

τῆς8 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας9 of 37

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὑτοῦ10 of 37

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

προφέρει11 of 37

bringeth forth

G4393

to bear forward, i.e., produce

τὸ12 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθόν13 of 37

A good

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

καὶ14 of 37

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

15 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρόν·16 of 37

an evil

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

ἄνθρωπος17 of 37

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκ18 of 37

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ19 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρόν·20 of 37

an evil

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

θησαυροῦ21 of 37

treasure

G2344

a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)

τῆς22 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας23 of 37

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὑτοῦ24 of 37

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

προφέρει25 of 37

bringeth forth

G4393

to bear forward, i.e., produce

τὸ26 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρόν·27 of 37

an evil

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

ἐκ28 of 37

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

γὰρ29 of 37

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τοῦ30 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

περισσεύματος31 of 37

the abundance

G4051

a surplus, or superabundance

τῆς32 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας33 of 37

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

λαλεῖ34 of 37

speaketh

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

τὸ35 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στόμα36 of 37

mouth

G4750

the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e

αὑτοῦ37 of 37

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 6:45 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 6:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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