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44 for each tree is known[a] by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered[b] from thorns, nor are grapes picked[c] from brambles.[d] 45 The good person out of the good treasury of his[e] heart[f] produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury[g] produces evil, for his mouth speaks[h] from what fills[i] his heart.

46 “Why[j] do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’[k] and don’t do what I tell you?[l]

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 6:44 sn The principle of the passage is that one produces what one is.
  2. Luke 6:44 tn Grk “they do not gather”; this has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.
  3. Luke 6:44 tn This is a different verb (τρυγῶσιν, trugōsin) for gathering from the previous one (συλλέγουσιν, sullegousin).
  4. Luke 6:44 tn This is a different term (βάτος, batos) for a thorn or bramble bush than the previous one (ἄκανθα, akantha).sn The statement nor are grapes picked from brambles illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit, does not produce fruit.
  5. Luke 6:45 tn Grk “the”; the Greek article has been translated here and in the following clause (“out of the evil”) as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  6. Luke 6:45 sn Mention of the heart shows that Jesus is not interested in what is done, but why. Motives are more important than actions for him.
  7. Luke 6:45 tn The word “treasury” is not repeated in the Greek text at this point, but is implied.
  8. Luke 6:45 sn What one utters from one’s mouth is especially singled out as the example of this principle. James seems to have known this teaching (Jas 1:26; 3:1-12).
  9. Luke 6:45 tn Grk “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
  10. Luke 6:46 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  11. Luke 6:46 tn The double use of the vocative is normally used in situations of high emotion or emphasis. Even an emphatic confession without action means little.
  12. Luke 6:46 sn Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? Respect is not a matter of mere words, but is reflected in obedient action. This short saying, which is much simpler than its more developed conceptual parallel in Matt 7:21-23, serves in this form to simply warn and issue a call to hear and obey, as the last parable also does in vv. 47-49.

44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.(A) People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.(B)

The Wise and Foolish Builders(C)

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’(D) and do not do what I say?(E)

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