Luke 6:45
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 37
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θησαυροῦ
treasure
G2344
θησαυροῦ
treasure
Strong's:
G2344
Word #:
7 of 37
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας
heart
G2588
καρδίας
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
9 of 37
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὑτοῦ
his
G846
αὑτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 37
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρόν·
an evil
G4190
πονηρόν·
an evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
16 of 37
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
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
18 of 37
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρόν·
an evil
G4190
πονηρόν·
an evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
20 of 37
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
θησαυροῦ
treasure
G2344
θησαυροῦ
treasure
Strong's:
G2344
Word #:
21 of 37
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας
heart
G2588
καρδίας
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
23 of 37
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὑτοῦ
his
G846
αὑτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 37
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρόν·
an evil
G4190
πονηρόν·
an evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
27 of 37
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
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
28 of 37
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
29 of 37
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας
heart
G2588
καρδίας
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
33 of 37
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
35 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Proverbs 4:23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.John 7:38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.Psalms 59:12For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.Colossians 4:6Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.Proverbs 12:18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:Ephesians 5:19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;Psalms 59:7Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does your habitual speech reveal about the treasure stored in your heart—what truly fills and drives you?
- How does Jesus' teaching that speech flows from heart-abundance challenge superficial attempts to change behavior without addressing heart transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.