Luke 6:38

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.

Give {G1325}, and {G2532} it shall be given {G1325} unto you {G5213}; good {G2570} measure {G3358}, pressed down {G4085}, and {G2532} shaken together {G4531}, and {G2532} running over {G5240}, shall men give {G1325} into {G1519} your {G5216} bosom {G2859}. For {G1063} with the same {G846} measure {G3358} that {G3739} ye mete withal {G3354} it shall be measured {G488} to you {G5213} again {G488}.

Give, and you will receive gifts -- the full measure, compacted, shaken together and overflowing, will be put right in your lap. For the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure back to you!"

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38 KJV

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.

Commentary

This verse is part of Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49), which parallels elements of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Following instructions on loving enemies and doing good without expecting return, Jesus here presents a principle of giving and receiving.

Historical and Cultural Context: The imagery used – "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" – reflects common practices in marketplaces where dry goods (like grain or produce) were measured out. A generous seller would ensure the container was completely full, even pressing and shaking it to fit more, so it would overflow into the customer's garment folded to form a pouch ("into your bosom"). This was a picture of abundant generosity.

Key Themes and Messages:

  • Generosity: Jesus calls his followers to be givers, reflecting God's own generous nature.
  • Reciprocity and Reward: The verse promises that giving will result in receiving, often in even greater abundance than what was given. This can be understood on multiple levels: God rewarding generosity, others responding in kind, or even a natural principle of sowing and reaping.
  • Divine Principle: The second part ("For with the same measure...") emphasizes that the principle of reciprocity is tied to the standard we ourselves use. The measure we use for others is the measure that will be used for us, highlighting the importance of our attitude and action in giving.

Linguistic Insights: The Greek word for "give" (didōmi) is a simple, direct command. The description of the measure uses vivid participles (pepiestmenon - pressed down, sesaleumenon - shaken, hyperchyomenon - running over) to paint a clear picture of overflowing abundance.

Cross-References:

  • A similar principle regarding judgment is found in Matthew 7:2: "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." This shows the principle applies beyond just material giving.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 speaks of sowing and reaping generously: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully... for God loveth a cheerful giver."

Practical Application: This verse encourages believers to practice radical generosity, trusting that God (or through others) will provide for them, often in ways that exceed their initial giving. It challenges us to examine the "measure" we use in all our interactions – in giving, in judging, in forgiving – recognizing that this measure will be applied back to us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    ¶ But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8

    And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

  • Deuteronomy 15:10

    Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

  • Mark 4:24

    And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

  • Matthew 7:2

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

  • Proverbs 3:9

    Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

  • Proverbs 3:10

    So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
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