LUK 6:46-49

The House on the Rock

46"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say? [6:47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them — I will show you what he is like. [6:48] He is like a person building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on bedrock. When a flood arose, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [6:49] But the one who hears and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river burst against it, and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Galilee, building practices were shaped by the region’s topography and seasonal flash floods. Houses constructed on bedrock were rare but highly valued for their durability, as they could withstand the sudden, destructive floods that swept through wadis during heavy rains. In contrast, building on loose soil or sand was cheaper and faster but left structures vulnerable to collapse . Jesus’ audience would have immediately recognized the contrast between these two building methods as a practical, everyday reality. The metaphor of calling someone ‘Lord’ while ignoring their instructions would have resonated in a culture where honor and obedience were central to relationships of authority, whether in households, synagogues, or broader societal structures. The parable’s imagery of foundation and collapse would have evoked both physical and moral implications, emphasizing the consequences of aligning—or failing to align—one’s life with authoritative teaching.

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How other translations render this

LUK 6:46

KJV: And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
BSB: Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say?
Koinōnos: Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?

LUK 6:47

KJV: Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
BSB: I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:
Koinōnos: Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them — I will show you what he is like.

LUK 6:48

KJV: 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.
BSB: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
Koinōnos: He is like a person building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on bedrock. When a flood arose, the river burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

LUK 6:49

KJV: 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.
BSB: But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”
Koinōnos: But the one who hears and does not act is like a person who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river burst against it, and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

LUK 6:46

Lord:The word translated 'Lord' here was a common term for someone in authority, like a master over slaves or a ruler. It could also be used as a respectful address, but in this context, it implies a recognition of Jesus's divine authority.

LUK 6:48

rock.:The word translated 'rock' refers to a large, solid rock formation or cliff, not merely a stone or pebble. It suggests an immovable, foundational element.
when a flood:The term used here for 'flood' describes a powerful, overflowing inundation, like a river bursting its banks or a tidal wave, not just heavy rain or a rising water level.

LUK 6:49

ruin:The word translated 'ruin' carries the sense of a complete and utter collapse or breakage, like a structure shattering into pieces, rather than just damage or decay.