Luke 6:48
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.
Original Language Analysis
οἰκοδομοῦντι
built
G3618
οἰκοδομοῦντι
built
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
4 of 34
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
οἰκίᾳ
an house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
an house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
5 of 34
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔθηκεν
laid
G5087
ἔθηκεν
laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
11 of 34
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
θεμέλιον
the foundation
G2310
θεμέλιον
the foundation
Strong's:
G2310
Word #:
12 of 34
something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 34
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενομένης
arose
G1096
γενομένης
arose
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
18 of 34
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
προσέῤῥηξεν
beat vehemently
G4366
προσέῤῥηξεν
beat vehemently
Strong's:
G4366
Word #:
19 of 34
to tear towards, i.e., burst upon (as a tempest or flood)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποταμὸς
the stream
G4215
ποταμὸς
the stream
Strong's:
G4215
Word #:
21 of 34
a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίᾳ
an house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
an house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
23 of 34
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἐκείνῃ
upon that
G1565
ἐκείνῃ
upon that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
24 of 34
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἴσχυσεν
could
G2480
ἴσχυσεν
could
Strong's:
G2480
Word #:
27 of 34
to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)
σαλεῦσαι
shake
G4531
σαλεῦσαι
shake
Strong's:
G4531
Word #:
28 of 34
to waver, i.e., agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite
αὐτὴν
it
G846
αὐτὴν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
29 of 34
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
τεθεμελίωτο
it was founded
G2311
τεθεμελίωτο
it was founded
Strong's:
G2311
Word #:
30 of 34
to lay a basis for, i.e., (literally) erect, or (figuratively) consolidate
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
31 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
32 of 34
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Psalms 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,Isaiah 26:4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:Ephesians 2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;Psalms 32:6For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.1 John 2:28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.2 Samuel 22:32For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.Proverbs 10:25As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Historical Context
Roman construction techniques in first-century Palestine included both sophisticated stone foundations (used in public buildings and wealthy homes) and cheaper earth-based construction. Flash floods from sudden rainstorms were common and devastating. Jesus's audience would have witnessed firsthand the difference between structures built on bedrock versus those on soil or sand.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'digging deep' look like practically in your spiritual life—what comfort or convenience might you need to excavate to reach the Rock?
- How do you measure spiritual maturity: by external appearances (the house) or by tested stability (the foundation)?
- In what ways might you be trusting your own religious effort rather than resting wholly on Christ as your foundation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock (ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδομοῦντι οἰκίαν ὃς ἔσκαψεν καὶ ἐβάθυνεν καὶ ἔθηκεν θεμέλιον ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν)—Luke's version emphasizes the labor involved: he 'digged' (skaptō) and 'went deep' (bathunō), terms suggesting strenuous excavation. Obedience to Christ's teachings requires deliberate effort and cost—there are no shortcuts to spiritual stability.
The rock foundation (petra) that withstands the flood's 'vehement beating' (prosrēxen, to break against) represents Christ himself and his authoritative word. Could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock—the emphatic repetition underscores that the house's resilience derives entirely from its foundation, not the builder's skill or the structure's beauty. Paul later echoes this imagery: 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ' (1 Corinthians 3:11).