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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Luke C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16 C17 C18 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24
Luke 6 V1 V3 V5 V7 V9 V11 V13 V15 V17 V19 V21 V23 V25 V27 V29 V31 V33 V35 V37 V39 V41 V43 V45 V47 V49
OET (OET-LV) Be_giving, and it_will_be_being_given to_you_all, good measure, having_been_pressed_down having_been_shaken being_overflowed, they_will_be_giving into the fold_of_garment of_you_all, because/for with_that measure you_all_are_measuring, it_will_be_being_measured_back to_you_all.
OET (OET-RV) Give to others, and then you’ll be given to generously. The returned amount will be really packed in to the container and even overflowing, because however you measure things out for others, that’s how things will be measured out for you.”
In this section, Jesus spoke about how his true disciples should think and act. He spoke about this immediately after he had chosen twelve of his disciples to be his apostles. Jesus said many things about this topic in his speech, so that people have often called this particular speech of Jesus a “sermon.”
In this sermon, Jesus asked those who heard him to be different from other people in the world and to think differently. He encouraged his disciples to obey his authority and live as people of God. They should be generous and merciful even to their enemies, as God is generous to everyone. Jesus assured his disciples that they would be blessed and rewarded for their obedience and for suffering for him. He concluded his speech by telling parables to motivate his disciples to obey his teaching.
Another possible heading for this section is:
The Sermon on the Plain (NET)
Some English versions divide 6:17–49 into several sections. Here is one way that might be done:
6:17–26 Blessings and woes
6:27–36 Love your enemies
6:37–42 Do not judge
6:43–45 A tree and its fruit
6:46–49 Two foundations
The sermon in 6:17–49 is similar to the sermon commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew chapters 5–7.
In this paragraph Jesus told his disciples two things that they should not do and two things that they should do. All four commands illustrate an attitude of love and mercy. These commands specifically illustrate the principles that Jesus stated in 6:31 and 6:36. Each command includes a reason why the disciples should obey it: the disciples will be treated according to the way they act.
Jesus used plural forms in these commands. They are general commands to everyone listening. See the note at Paragraph 6:27–31. Use the form that is most natural in your language.
Give,
Give to others, (GNT)
Give(plur) to others what they need.
Give: Jesus was saying that his disciples should be generous. They should help people who need something. The text does not say explicitly what Jesus’ disciples should give, nor to whom they should give it. Translate this as generally as possible.
If your language requires that you state to whom something is given, you could say:
Give to others/people
If you give to others (CEV)
If your language requires that you state what is given, you could say:
give whatever is needed
give things to help others
and it will be given to you.
and you(plur) will receive generously.
and God will give to you. (GNT)
If you give, then God will give you(plur) what you need.
it will be given to you: The clause it will be given to you is a passive clause. Some ways to translate this are:
As a passive clause. For example:
it will be given to you
As an active clause. For example:
you will receive (NLT)
God will give to you (GNT)
In some languages, it may be more natural to begin this sentence with an “if” clause. For example:
If you give, then it will be given to you.
it: As with the word “give” above, the thing that will be given is not identified. If your language requires that you identify the object, here you could say:
what you need will be given to you
things that help you will be given to you
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap: This is a metaphor. It describes a merchant selling grain or something similar. Because buying grain in the market is common, most cultures will probably understand this metaphor.
The point of the metaphor is the generosity of the merchant. He presses the grain down in the measuring container. He then shakes it so it will settle, and he continues filling it until the grain heaps up and overflows the container.
This metaphor further explains the phrase “it will be given to you” (6:38a). If you give generously, you will receive generous gifts in return.
The metaphor does not identify the one who would give generously in return. It could be people, or God, or both. Try to keep your translation general so God or people could be understood. If you have made God explicit in 6:37–6:38a, you could refer to him explicitly here also. For example:
God will give you a good measure, pressed down…
God will give generously to you like a good merchant who presses down…
A good measure,
A full measure/container
It will be like a merchant who gives you a full measure of grain
God will do to you as a generous merchant does. He will pour out a full measure/cup,
A good measure: The phrase A good measure refers to a full measure such as a generous merchant gives. Some other ways to translate this are:
a full measure (GNT)
A large quantity (GW)
You will be given much (NCV)
Use a general word to describe the measuring container or a measured quantity of grain. If you do not have a general word, use a word for a specific container that is used for measuring grain in your culture. For example:
a full cup/bowl/tin
pressed down,
that is pressed/packed down,
by packing it down,
press it down,
pressed down: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as pressed down indicates that the merchant pressed or pushed down the grain. He did this so that it would take up as little space as possible. Then the merchant could pour more grain into the container. Some other ways to translate this are:
pressed together (GW)
It will be packed down (CEV)
shaken together,
shaken,
shaking it so he can put in more,
shake it,
shaken together: The merchant shakes the container and the grain in it. In that way, he makes sure that the grain settles and the container is completely full. Some other ways to translate this are:
shaken down (GW)
shaken together to make room for more (NLT)
and running over
and overflowing
and then filling the measure even more until it spills over the sides.
and heap it up until it overflows.
running over: The phrase running over means that the merchant put so much grain into the container that it began to spill over the sides. Some other ways to translate this are:
flowing over
spilling over
heaped over the top
will be poured into your lap.
will be poured into your lap.
Then he will pour it into your container.
Then he will give it all to you.
will be poured into your lap: The phrase that the BSB translates as will be poured into your lap is literally “they will pour into your lap.” “They” here refers to the merchant.Some scholars suggest that the third person plural form is used as a circumlocution for God. Some other ways to translate this are:
it will then be poured into your lap/basket
he will then pour the grain into your lap/basket
lap: The Greek word that the BSB translates as lap refers to a pocket or pouch made by folding one’s robe. It was the custom for a person who bought grain to fold his robe (outer clothes) to make a pocket. The merchant would pour the grain into this fold or pocket. That is the way the buyer would carry it away.
If this is not the custom in your culture, you could translate using a general word for a grain container such as a basket.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
The measure you use for/with others will be used for/with you.”
The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.” (CEV)
The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” (GNT)
Luke 6:38h is a common proverb that Jews would often repeat. Jesus used it here to emphasize what he had just said in 6:37a–38g. It summarizes the way his disciples are to act. It reinforces the fact that the disciples’ behavior determines how God and others will behave towards them.
For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For introduces a proverb. Some translations do not explicitly translate this conjunction (for example, GNT). If your language uses proverbs to teach principles, think about how you would introduce the proverb. Connect this proverb in that way.
Some other ways in English to introduce this proverb are:
After all
Remember
with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you: Before the word “measure,” some Greek manuscripts and the KJV add the word “same.” Although the word “same” may not have been used in the original text, it may be implied in this context. As in 6:38c, the word measure here refers to a measuring container or a measured quantity of grain. Jesus was saying that the type of measuring container that Jesus’ disciples use with other people is the same type of measuring container that God will use with them.
In this context Jesus’ saying means that if the disciples are generous with other people, God will be generous with them. This applies in a figurative way as well as in a literal way. If the disciples are generous and kind in the way they judge or treat other people, God will also be kind in the way he judges or treats them.
Some other ways to translate this proverb are:
Whatever type of measure you use with/for others, that same measure will be used with/for you.
The way you treat others is the way you will be treated. (CEV)
it will be measured back to you: The phrase it will be measured back to you is passive. Some ways to translate this are:
As a passive clause. For example:
by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return (NASB)
The standards you use for others will be applied to you. (GW)
The way you treat others is the way you will be treated. (CEV)
As an active clause. The person who will measure is God. For example:
The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you. (GNT)
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
δοθήσεται ὑμῖν
˱it˲_˓will_be_being˒_given ˱to˲_you_all
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who would do the action. Jesus does not say exactly who will give. This could mean: (1) “God will give to you.” (2) “other people will give to you.”
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
μέτρον καλὸν, πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον, δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν
measure (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Δίδοτε καί δοθήσεται ὑμῖν μέτρον καλόν πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυνόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τόν κόλπον ὑμῶν ᾧ γάρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν)
Jesus is comparing someone to a grain merchant who measures out very generously. He could mean either God or other people. The word they is indefinite, so it does not necessarily refer to people rather than to God. You could represent this metaphor as a simile in your translation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [Like a generous grain merchant who presses down the grain and shakes it together and pours in so much that it fills a container and spills over, God will give you a generous amount] or [Like a generous grain merchant who presses down the grain and shakes it together and pours in so much that it fills a container and spills over, people will give you a generous amount]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυννόμενον, δώσουσιν εἰς τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν
˓having_been˒_pressed_down ˓having_been˒_shaken (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Δίδοτε καί δοθήσεται ὑμῖν μέτρον καλόν πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυνόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τόν κόλπον ὑμῶν ᾧ γάρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν)
These are all passive verb forms in Greek. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate them with active verbal phrases. See the alternate translation in the previous note.
Note 4 topic: translate-unknown
τὸν κόλπον ὑμῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Δίδοτε καί δοθήσεται ὑμῖν μέτρον καλόν πεπιεσμένον σεσαλευμένον ὑπερεκχυνόμενον δώσουσιν εἰς τόν κόλπον ὑμῶν ᾧ γάρ μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν)
This is a reference to the way people in this culture would form a pocket or carrying pouch from the folds of the front of their robes. If you readers would not be familiar with this practice, you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [the folds of your robe] or [a container]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ᾧ & μέτρῳ μετρεῖτε, ἀντιμετρηθήσεται ὑμῖν
˱with˲_that & measure ˱you_all˲_˓are˒_measuring ˱it˲_˓will_be_being˒_measured_back ˱to˲_you_all
If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who would do the action. Jesus does not say exactly who will measure. This could mean: (1) “God will give to you in just as generous or stingy a way as you give to others.” (2) “people will give to you in just as generous or stingy a way as you give to others.”
OET (OET-LV) Be_giving, and it_will_be_being_given to_you_all, good measure, having_been_pressed_down having_been_shaken being_overflowed, they_will_be_giving into the fold_of_garment of_you_all, because/for with_that measure you_all_are_measuring, it_will_be_being_measured_back to_you_all.
OET (OET-RV) Give to others, and then you’ll be given to generously. The returned amount will be really packed in to the container and even overflowing, because however you measure things out for others, that’s how things will be measured out for you.”
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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