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In this lesson:
The Sermon on the Plain continues. The blind leading the blind. How to live. Study Tip: Go into Bible study with an idea of what you want out of it. Make a list of things you're looking for while you study. |
The blind leading the blind.
By the French painter James Joseph Tissot (1836-1902) |
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 6:37-49
Another parable 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. 43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 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. 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. |
Margin notes:
"Judge not." (6:37) - Christians should not be self-righteous. However, they should know the difference between right and wrong and avoid anyone who would lead them into temptation (1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). "Give, and it shall be given unto you." (6:38) - We control how much mercy God shows us. Is there something that God is telling you to give? "Good measure." (6:38) - Means "full measure." "Pressed down, and shaken together, and running over." (6:38) - In this metaphor, Jesus uses a basket of grain (mercy), packed down and shaken so the grain has settled, and more grain (mercy) can fit and flow out over the top, to make His point. "Into your bosom." (6:38) - "In your lap." "The same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (6:38) - "Whatever measure you give out will be measured out to you" (Mark 4:24). "Can the blind lead the blind?" (6:39) - This short parable can also be found in Matthew 15:14. "The disciple is not above the master." (6:40) - "Students don't know more than the teacher." "Every one that is perfect." (6:40) - "Everyone that is thoroughly trained." "Of thorns men do not gather figs." (6:44) - "Men don't pick figs from thorn bushes." "Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (6:46) - Read Malachi 1:6. "For it was founded upon a rock." (6:48) - "Because it was built strong." Jesus is reinforcing His message from Matthew 7:24-27. |
The parable of the "good tree" is also found in Matthew 7:16-20 (lesson 13).
New Living Translation
Luke 6:37-49
Do Not Judge Others
37 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "Can one blind person lead another? Won't they both fall into a ditch?
40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
42 How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.
The Tree and Its Fruit
43 "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.
44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Building on a Solid Foundation
46 "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
48 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.
49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Do Not Judge Others
37 "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "Can one blind person lead another? Won't they both fall into a ditch?
40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?
42 How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.
The Tree and Its Fruit
43 "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.
44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.
45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
Building on a Solid Foundation
46 "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?
47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it.
48 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.
49 But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (6:41)
"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 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." (6:47-48)
"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 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." (6:47-48)
Today's Question:
1. What does the parable of the "good tree" mean? (6:43)
Pray and explore your Bible each day. These lessons shouldn't be your only connection to God.
1. What does the parable of the "good tree" mean? (6:43)
Pray and explore your Bible each day. These lessons shouldn't be your only connection to God.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Just as a tree can produce either good or bad fruit, people produce good or bad in their lives. Like a tree, we are known by the fruit we produce (Matthew 7:16). The inner attitudes and beliefs we hold show in our words and actions. Our "fruit" reveals our true character. What is in your heart?
Application thought for the day:
"A son honoureth his father" (Malachi 1:6). Jesus wants to know why we call Him Lord, but won't do the "things" that He asks (6:46).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke