Luke 6:49
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ποιήσας
doeth
G4160
ποιήσας
doeth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
6 of 31
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οἰκοδομήσαντι
built
G3618
οἰκοδομήσαντι
built
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
10 of 31
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
οἰκίας
an house
G3614
οἰκίας
an house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
11 of 31
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 31
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 #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the earth
G1093
γῆν
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
14 of 31
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
χωρὶς
that without
G5565
χωρὶς
that without
Strong's:
G5565
Word #:
15 of 31
at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)
θεμελίου
a foundation
G2310
θεμελίου
a foundation
Strong's:
G2310
Word #:
16 of 31
something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)
ᾗ
which
G3739
ᾗ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσέῤῥηξεν
against
G4366
προσέῤῥηξεν
against
Strong's:
G4366
Word #:
18 of 31
to tear towards, i.e., burst upon (as a tempest or flood)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποταμός
the stream
G4215
ποταμός
the stream
Strong's:
G4215
Word #:
20 of 31
a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 31
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 #:
24 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
was
G1096
ἐγένετο
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
25 of 31
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥῆγμα
the ruin
G4485
ῥῆγμα
the ruin
Strong's:
G4485
Word #:
27 of 31
something torn, i.e., a fragment (by implication and abstractly, a fall)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας
an house
G3614
οἰκίας
an house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
29 of 31
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
Cross References
Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.Proverbs 28:18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.Matthew 23:3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.Mark 4:17And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.John 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Luke 12:47And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.Luke 6:46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What teachings of Jesus do you 'hear' regularly but consistently fail to implement—what's your area of willful disobedience?
- How might cultural Christianity (religious identity without transformed behavior) represent building without a foundation in modern contexts?
- Does the warning of 'great ruin' affect how urgently you pursue obedience, or have you grown desensitized to biblical warnings of judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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).