Luke 6:46

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luke 6:46 (KJV)

Context

Jesus asks this question during His teaching ministry, confronting those who honor Him with their words yet disregard His commands. The surrounding passage (Luke 6:43-45) compares people to trees: a good tree bears good fruit, and the mouth speaks from the heart’s abundance. This imagery sets up Jesus’ pointed challenge about the inconsistency between verbal confession and actual obedience.

Meaning

The term “Lord” signifies supreme authority, Master, and the One to be obeyed. The repetition “Lord, Lord” stresses the importance of truly acknowledging Jesus’ authority and surrendering to Him completely. Merely saying the right words is not enough; genuine faith is shown by doing what He commands. The Greek phrase translated “do not the things which I say” (καὶ οὐ ποιεῖτε ἃ λέγω) highlights the contrast between profession and practice.

Biblical connections

This verse connects directly to the following passage (Luke 6:47-49), where Jesus compares the one who hears His words and does them to a man building on a solid rock foundation. The parallel in Matthew 7:21-23 reinforces the same truth: not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the Father’s will. These passages together show that obedience is the evidence of true discipleship.

Application

Jesus’ question challenges us to examine our lives. Do our actions match our confession of Him as Lord? Obedience is not optional for those who follow Christ; it is the natural fruit of genuine faith. This verse calls us to self-reflection, urging us to align our daily choices with His teachings and to prioritize doing what He says over merely saying the right things.

Reflection

Take time to consider areas where your words and actions may not agree. Ask God to reveal any inconsistency and to give you the grace to obey Him more fully. True discipleship is not about perfect performance but about a heart that sincerely seeks to follow Jesus in every area of life.