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.
Parallel translations
- WEB He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
- 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.
- NKJV He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
- NASB he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built.
- NLT It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The one who hears and obeys Jesus is like a builder who dug deep and laid his foundation on rock, unshaken by the flood. Obedient faith withstands life's testing.
Overview
The deep digging and rock foundation picture a costly, genuine commitment that endures trial. The storm represents the testing that comes upon every life, including final judgment. Christ Himself is the rock on whom the wise build; resting on Him and His word secures the soul against every flood.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 35
- 1 Cor 3:10–15By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
- Matt 7:25–26The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.
- Ps 62:2He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
- Isa 28:16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- Jude 1:24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—
- Isa 26:4Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.
- Eph 2:20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- 1 Pet 2:4–6As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
- Ps 32:6Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.
- 2 Sam 22:32For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?
- 1 Jn 2:28And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
- 2 Tim 2:19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
- 2 Sam 22:47The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted—
- Rev 6:14–17The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
- Prov 10:25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.
- 1 Cor 15:55–58“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
- Ps 95:1Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation!
- Isa 59:19So shall they fear the name of the LORD where the sun sets, and His glory where it rises. For He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the LORD.
- Rom 8:35–38Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- Ps 125:1–2A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- 2 Pet 1:10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
- 2 Sam 22:5For the waves of death engulfed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.
- Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Nah 1:8But with an overwhelming flood He will make an end of Nineveh and pursue His enemies into darkness.
- John 16:33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Deut 32:15But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.
- Rev 20:11–15Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
- 1 Sam 2:2There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.
- 2 Sam 23:3The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- Ps 46:1–3For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
- 2 Sam 22:2He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
- 2 Pet 3:10–14But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
- Ps 93:3–4The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves.
- Deut 32:31For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede.
- Deut 32:18You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 6:48 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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