Luke 6:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus promises that a generous, open-handed life is met by an overflowing generosity in return.
The Context of Luke 6:38
Still within the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), right after Jesus has told the crowd to be merciful, to stop judging and condemning, and to forgive. Generosity is the next note in that same song of mercy.
What Does Luke 6:38 Mean?
Jesus paints the picture from a grain market. A buyer of barley wanted full value, so an honest seller would pour the grain into the fold of the buyer's robe, then press it down, shake it so it settled, and keep pouring until it spilled over the top. That overflowing measure is the image Jesus uses for how giving comes back to the giver. The hand that opens to others finds itself filled in a way the tight, grasping hand never knows.
Behind the promise stands the most generous Giver of all. Jesus is describing the heart of His Father, who gives and gives and then gives more, and finally gave His own Son for us. The measure we use is the measure we receive, and His measure toward us is grace pressed down and running over. When we live with open hands, we are simply passing along the abundance He has poured into us first.
Luke 6:38 in the Original Language
kolpos (κόλπος), 'bosom' -- the fold of the outer garment at the chest, used as a pouch to carry grain or goods.
How to Apply Luke 6:38 Today
This verse invites us into an open-handed way of living: giving freely, expecting that God provides for the generous. The measure we extend to others is the measure that comes back to us. We can give today knowing the supply behind us is His and it overflows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 6:38
What does Luke 6:38 mean?
Jesus promises that a generous, open-handed life is met by an overflowing generosity in return.
What is the context of Luke 6:38?
Still within the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49), right after Jesus has told the crowd to be merciful, to stop judging and condemning, and to forgive. Generosity is the next note in that same song of mercy.
How can I apply Luke 6:38 today?
This verse invites us into an open-handed way of living: giving freely, expecting that God provides for the generous. The measure we extend to others is the measure that comes back to us. We can give today knowing the supply behind us is His and it overflows.