King James Version

What Does Luke 6:49 Mean?

Luke 6:49 in the King James Version says “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which... — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 6:49 · KJV


Context

47

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

48

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But he that heareth, and doeth not (ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας καὶ μὴ ποιήσας)—The aorist participles emphasize decisive hearing followed by decisive non-doing. This isn't ignorance but willful disobedience—hearing Jesus's words without implementing them. James later warns against being 'hearers only, deceiving your own selves' (James 1:22).

Without a foundation built an house upon the earth (ᾠκοδόμησεν οἰκίαν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν χωρὶς θεμελίου)—the preposition epi (upon) contrasts with the previous verse's foundation epi petra (upon rock). Building 'upon the earth' suggests surface-level construction, expedient but catastrophically inadequate. Immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great (εὐθέως ἔπεσεν, καὶ ἐγένετο τὸ ῥῆγμα τῆς οἰκίας ἐκείνης μέγα)—the dramatic collapse (rhēgma, breach, ruin) illustrates eschatological judgment. Profession without practice ends in 'great' ruin, echoing Jesus's warning about those who prophesied and cast out demons in his name yet are condemned as workers of iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Luke wrote to a largely Gentile audience facing pressure to compromise Christian ethics for social acceptance. This parable warned against cultural accommodation—maintaining Christian profession while abandoning Christian practice. The 'great ruin' anticipates final judgment when false professors face eternal consequences for superficial faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What teachings of Jesus do you 'hear' regularly but consistently fail to implement—what's your area of willful disobedience?
  2. How might cultural Christianity (religious identity without transformed behavior) represent building without a foundation in modern contexts?
  3. Does the warning of 'great ruin' affect how urgently you pursue obedience, or have you grown desensitized to biblical warnings of judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
1 of 31
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 31

But

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀκούσας3 of 31

he that heareth

G191

to hear (in various senses)

καὶ4 of 31

and

G2532

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

μὴ5 of 31

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ποιήσας6 of 31

doeth

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ὅμοιός7 of 31

like

G3664

similar (in appearance or character)

ἐστιν8 of 31

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἀνθρώπῳ9 of 31

a man

G444

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

οἰκοδομήσαντι10 of 31

built

G3618

to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm

οἰκίας11 of 31

an house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

ἐπὶ12 of 31

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν13 of 31
G3588

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

γῆν14 of 31

the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

χωρὶς15 of 31

that without

G5565

at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)

θεμελίου16 of 31

a foundation

G2310

something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)

17 of 31

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

προσέῤῥηξεν18 of 31

against

G4366

to tear towards, i.e., burst upon (as a tempest or flood)

19 of 31
G3588

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

ποταμός20 of 31

the stream

G4215

a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water

καὶ21 of 31

and

G2532

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

εὐθὲως22 of 31

immediately

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

ἔπεσεν23 of 31

it fell

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

καὶ24 of 31

and

G2532

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

ἐγένετο25 of 31

was

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

τὸ26 of 31
G3588

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

ῥῆγμα27 of 31

the ruin

G4485

something torn, i.e., a fragment (by implication and abstractly, a fall)

τῆς28 of 31
G3588

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

οἰκίας29 of 31

an house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

ἐκείνης30 of 31

of that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

μέγα31 of 31

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)


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 6:49 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 6:49 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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