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.

LUKE 6:48KJV
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Luke 6:48 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:48 mean?

Luke 6:48 compares a person who hears and acts on Jesus’ words to a builder whose house withstands a flood. The strong house pictures a person whose response to Jesus’ teaching holds firm under pressure.

Jesus describes a builder who digs deep before laying the foundation on rock. The image would have been familiar to listeners who knew that a rushing stream could threaten a poorly supported building.

The Greek behind Luke 6:48

  • “rock” — πέτρα (petra): The Greek word refers to rock or rocky ground. Here it pictures a solid base reached by digging, rather than a loose stone placed under the house.
  • “vehemently” — προσρήγνυμι (prosrēgnymi): The Greek word carries the sense of striking against something. The KJV pairs “beat” with “vehemently” to convey the force of the stream hitting the house.

Why Luke 6:48 matters

  • Jesus connects the picture to both hearing and doing. In verse 47, the person Jesus describes comes to him, hears his sayings, and does them.
  • The depth of the foundation matters before the flood arrives. Jesus places the digging and laying of the foundation before the stream strikes.
  • The house’s stability is tied to its foundation. The KJV says the stream “could not shake it” because the house “was founded upon a rock.”

Where else these words appear

“vehemently” Greek G4366 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“digged” Greek G4626 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
  • Luke 16:3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

“founded” Greek G2311 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
  • Hebrews 1:10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

“rock” Greek G4073 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Matthew 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
  • Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.