Luke 6:38

Commentary on Luke 6:38

Text (NKJV):
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

1. Context in Luke 6

Luke 6[i] records Jesus’ teaching in what is often called the “Sermon on the Plain.” It parallels the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7 but is distinct in its setting and emphases. The chapter includes:

• The Beatitudes (vv. 20–23) and corresponding woes (vv. 24–26).
• Commands to love enemies, to bless those who curse, and to forgive (vv. 27–36).
• Warnings against judging others hypocritically (vv. 37–42).
• Parables about trees and fruit, and the wise and foolish builders (vv. 43–49).

Luke 6:38 sits within the section on mercy, forgiveness, and generosity (vv. 27–42). It follows immediately after verse 37, which warns against judgmentalism and promises forgiveness to those who forgive. Verse 38 therefore expands the principle of reciprocity in God’s kingdom: the measure we use in giving, forgiving, and showing mercy will be the measure we receive.

2. Exegesis of Luke 6:38

• “Give, and it will be given to you”: This is not a transactional formula for material prosperity but a kingdom principle. Jesus is teaching that generosity of spirit—whether in mercy, forgiveness, or material support—will be met with divine generosity. God Himself is the ultimate giver, and His people reflect His character when they give.
• “Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over”: This imagery comes from the marketplace. Grain was measured into a container, pressed down to remove air pockets, shaken to settle it, and then filled until overflowing. It symbolises abundance, fairness, and generosity. God’s return to His people is not stingy but overflowing.
• “Will be put into your bosom”: In the ancient world, the fold of a garment was used as a pocket. The image is of receiving an abundant supply poured into one’s lap.
• “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you”: This is the principle of reciprocity. It echoes Galatians 6:7 (“whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”). The measure of mercy, forgiveness, and generosity we extend to others will be the measure we experience from God and often from others.

---

3. Theological Insights

• God’s generosity as the model: The passage reflects God’s character. He is merciful (Luke 6:36), forgiving, and abundant in blessing. Christians are called to imitate Him.
• Grace, not merit: This is not a mechanistic law of merit. It is not that our giving earns God’s favour. Rather, it is evidence of a transformed heart. Generosity flows from grace received, and God delights to bless His children who walk in His ways.
• Christ-centred reciprocity: The principle is fulfilled in Christ, who gave Himself fully. Believers are called to embody His self-giving love.
• Warning against selfish giving: If giving is motivated by desire for return, it misses the point. The call is to give freely, trusting God’s provision.

---

4. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Generosity in material support: Christians in Australia today are called to be generous with money, time, and resources. This includes supporting gospel ministry, caring for the poor, and showing hospitality.
• Forgiveness and mercy: The immediate context stresses forgiveness. In a culture often marked by grudges and litigation, believers are to model mercy.
• Resisting prosperity distortions: Some misuse Luke 6:38 to promote prosperity teaching. The passage is not a guarantee of financial wealth but a call to Christlike generosity.
• Community life: Churches should embody this principle in mutual care. When believers give generously of themselves, the community flourishes.
• Personal discipleship: Each Christian should examine whether their “measure” is tight-fisted or open-handed. God calls His people to reflect His abundant grace.

---

[i] Luke 6

New King James Version

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

6 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Healing on the Sabbath

6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

The Twelve Apostles

12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

Jesus Heals a Great Multitude

17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, 18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

The Beatitudes

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Jesus Pronounces Woes

24 “But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Love Your Enemies

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Do Not Judge

37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Build on the Rock

46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 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. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”