Luke 6:46 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:46 mean?

Luke 6:46 points to a gap between the honor people give Jesus in their words and their response to what he tells them. Jesus asks why they address him as their Lord while leaving his instructions undone.

Jesus speaks directly to the people listening to him. His question asks them to account for a contradiction in their own behavior. The repeated address “Lord, Lord” makes their spoken recognition especially striking.

The Greek behind Luke 6:46

• “Lord” — κύριος (kyrios): This word can mean a master or someone with authority. Here, the address recognizes Jesus as someone whose words carry authority.
• “ye” — καλέω (kaleō): This verb means “to call” or “to address.” The Greek verb stands behind the KJV phrase “call ye”; its form presents Jesus’ question as directed to more than one listener.

Why Luke 6:46 matters

• The verse sets up a picture of two different responses to Jesus’ words. In Luke 6:47–49, Jesus compares someone who hears and acts to a person who builds on rock, and someone who hears without acting to a person who builds without a foundation.
• The question concerns what people do as well as what they say. Jesus asks about “the things which I say,” connecting the title “Lord” to the actual instructions his listeners have heard.