Luke 6:49

49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!"

Luke 6:49 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 6:49

But he that heareth, and doth not
Hears Christ's sayings externally, but does not obey his commands:

is like a man that without a foundation built upon the earth:
that is, without digging for a foundation, built his house upon the surface of the earth; "upon the dust of it", as the Syriac version renders it; or, "upon the sand", as Matthew says: "against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great"; (See Gill on Matthew 7:26). (See Gill on Matthew 7:27).

Luke 6:49 In-Context

47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn't shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!"
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.