Notes on Luke 6:38-49

Luke 6:38

Jesus is drawing from the everyday setting of the market. Certain things were sold not by weight but volume in the first century. Getting a good measure meant letting what was poured into the vessel be pressed down, shaken together, until it was spilling over the sides. Those in God's kingdom give love generously and receive back it back from God in full and overflowing measure (2 Cor. 9:6-8). See WLC 141

Luke 6:39-49

Jesus ended his teaching with a warning to not ignore his message. He moves from a general teaching about discernment (vv. 39-42) to more specific teaching about himself and his authority (vv. 43-49). The point is that listening, believing, and obey him will bring about true righteousness.

Luke 6:39

parable. That is made up of three parts (v. 39, v. 40, and vv. 41-42). blind . . . guide. Jesus painted an absurd picture for us to highlight the seriousness of his teaching. The Pharisees have been blind guides rather than reliable spiritual teachers (Matt. 23:16). Thus, he warned his disciples not to follow their teaching. They must evaluate those that are exerting an influence in their lives, lest they follow someone to ruin.

Luke 6:40

Jesus made clear that a disciple is molded into the image of his teacher. Therefore, it is essential to pick the right teacher. Implicitly, Jesus and those who are his true disciples are the only reliable teachers.

Luke 6:41-42

Another ironic picture highlights the obvious danger. In this last scene of the parable a man with a log in his eye attempts to pick out a tiny piece of straw from the eye of another. Jesus identified the importance of living without hypocrisy. His disciples must recognize and deal with their faults before they can help others.

Luke 6:43-45

Another parable that highlights the importance of a good teacher. The nature of the tree determines the kind of fruit it will produce. Likewise, heart of a person will produce good or evil depending on what is in him (see Prov. 1:31; 13:2; 18:20-21; Jer. 17:10). Only when the heart is filled with good treasure will it produce an abundance of good (3:7-9; 12:34). By listening to and believing Jesus will one experience a change of heart, and thus produce the fruit of good works (see John 15:1-17). See HC 64.

Luke 6:46-49

In these final verses, Jesus brought together his previous instruction about teachers. He emphasized the importance of listening to him and building one's life on him.

Luke 6:46

Lord, Lord. In the immediate context of what's going on, the title Lord would have been an address of respect. It would have been used for religious or political leaders as a form of address like sir, teacher, or master. If people recognized him as a spiritual leader, then they must listen to him and do what he says.

Luke 6:47

Obedience to Jesus is essential for his disciples (11:28; Matt. 12:50; John 13:17; 14:15, 24; 15:14). Those who come to him, must also hear him, and obey him (Rom. 2:13; Jam. 1:22-25).

Luke 6:48-49

The final image is a powerful one and make clear the dangers of ignoring Jesus. The picture is of two men building a house. One digs deep and lays a foundation on solid rock. The other man is content is simply build on the top layer of the ground. When a flood came, only one house remained unshaken and only man survived. Those that hear and obey Jesus are the ones laying a well built foundation. This enables them to survive the floods of life in this world as well as the final judgment (11:28; see Lev. 26:1-46; Deut. 28:1-68).

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