And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Parallel translations
- WEB Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
- BSB But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
- NKJV “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
- NASB And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
- NLT But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
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
Whoever hears Jesus' words but doesn't obey is like a fool building on sand. Hearing without doing leaves life without a foundation.
Overview
The contrasting builder also hears Jesus' words but fails to act on them, building on sand. The difference between the two men lies not in hearing but in doing. The parable warns that merely knowing or admiring Jesus' teaching, without obedient response, is foolish and ultimately ruinous.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Luke 6:49But 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.
- Jer 8:9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?
- Jas 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- Prov 14:1Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
- 1 Sam 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
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Original language
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