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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 3:10–15According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
- Matt 7:25–26The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
- Ps 62:2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress — I will never be greatly shaken.
- Isa 28:16Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
- Jude 1:24Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
- Isa 26:4Trust in Yahweh forever; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock.
- Eph 2:20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
- 1 Pet 2:4–6coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious.
- Ps 32:6For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.
- 2 Sam 22:32For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God?
- 1 Jn 2:28Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
- 2 Tim 2:19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
- 2 Sam 22:47Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
- Rev 6:14–17The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
- Prov 10:25When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
- 1 Cor 15:55–58“Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?”
- Ps 95:1Oh come, let’s sing to Yahweh. Let’s shout aloud to the rock of our salvation!
- Isa 59:19So shall they fear Yahweh’s name from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which Yahweh’s breath drives.
- Rom 8:35–38Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Ps 125:1–2A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in Yahweh are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever.
- 2 Pet 1:10Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
- 2 Sam 22:5For the waves of death surrounded me. The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
- Acts 14:22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
- Nah 1:8But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
- John 16:33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Deut 32:15But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked. You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he abandoned God who made him, and rejected the Rock of his salvation.
- Rev 20:11–15I saw a great white throne, and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. There was found no place for them.
- 1 Sam 2:2There is no one as holy as Yahweh, For there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.
- 2 Sam 23:3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘One who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God,
- Ps 46:1–3For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
- 2 Sam 22:2and he said: “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;
- 2 Pet 3:10–14But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
- Ps 93:3–4The floods have lifted up, Yahweh, the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves.
- Deut 32:31For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves concede.
- Deut 32:18Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten 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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