Luke 6:45
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus uses the striking image of "treasure" to show that what we say isn't just idle chatter; it's a direct overflow from the hidden riches or poverty stored deep within our hearts. The "abundance" he speaks of isn't just having a lot of something, but rather what's so plentiful it can't be contained and inevitably spills out.
Jesus has just spoken about the impossibility of hypocrisy, comparing it to a rotten tree bearing good fruit or vice versa. This verse then concludes that discourse by directly stating that a person's true nature—whether good or evil—is revealed by what they produce, particularly through their words, which spring from the inner abundance of their heart.
Ever wonder why some people seem to constantly speak with kindness and others with harshness? It's not random. Jesus compares our inner selves to a hidden vault where everything is stored.
Jesus uses the powerful image of a "treasure" to describe the human heart. Think of it like a chest, holding everything valuable or worthless that we possess.
Storing Good and Evil
This isn't about outward appearances; it's about the internal reality. What fills your heart's treasure chest is what will eventually be brought forth.
Jesus connects our words directly to our inner state. He's saying your mouth isn't just talking; it's acting like a release valve for whatever is stored deep inside.
The second part of the verse provides the key explanation: "...for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Abundance Reveals All
Understand the original words
kardia · Greek Noun
The central, immaterial aspect of a human being where thoughts, desires, intentions, and the will reside. In Scripture, it is considered the command center of human life and the seat of moral character.
perisseuma · Greek Noun
An overflow or excess; the fullness or wealth of something. In this context, it refers to the state where the contents of the heart are so full that they inevitably spill out through speech or action.
This passage directly parallels Luke 6:45, with Jesus confronting the Pharisees by asking how evil people can speak good things, emphasizing that words reveal the heart's condition.
Matthew 7:17The 'good tree' and 'bad tree' analogy from Matthew's Gospel powerfully illustrates that genuine goodness or evil in a person's inner life will inevitably manifest in their outward actions and words, just as Luke 6:45 describes.
Proverbs 4:23This proverb highlights the critical importance of guarding one's heart above all else, as it is the source from which all life flows, directly supporting Jesus' teaching in Luke 6:45 that the heart's contents determine what is spoken.
Isaiah 32:6This verse speaks of how 'the vile person will speak villany,' directly linking evil intentions and a corrupted heart to the words that are spoken, reinforcing the principle found in Luke 6:45.
calvinLuke 6:43-45: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
- But beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16. From their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17. So every good tree yields good fruits, and a rotten tree yields bad fruits. 18. A good tree cannot yield evil fruits, nor can a rotten tree yield good fruits. 19. Every tre…
jfbLuke 6:12-49: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Lu 6:12-49. The Twelve Apostles Chosen—Gathering Multitudes—Glorious Healing.12, 13. went out—probably from Capernaum.all night in prayer … and when … day, he called, &c.—The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night's devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for "laborers" just before sending themselves forth (see on…
Jesus uses the striking image of "treasure" to show that what we say isn't just idle chatter; it's a direct overflow from the hidden riches or poverty stored deep within our hearts. The "abundance" he speaks of isn't just having a lot of something, but rather what's so plentiful it can't be contained and inevitably spills out.
Jesus has just spoken about the impossibility of hypocrisy, comparing it to a rotten tree bearing good fruit or vice versa. This verse then concludes that discourse by directly stating that a person's true nature—whether good or evil—is revealed by what they produce, particularly through their words, which spring from the inner abundance of their heart.
Jesus has just spoken about the impossibility of hypocrisy, comparing it to a rotten tree bearing good fruit or vice versa. This verse then concludes that discourse by directly stating that a person's true nature—whether good or evil—is revealed by what they produce, particularly through their words, which spring from the inner abundance of their heart.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 6:45 is available in the Sola app.
This challenges us to consider that our words aren't isolated acts but are deeply connected to the state of our inner treasure.
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." — Jesus uses the striking image of "treasure" to show that what we say isn't just idle chatter; it's a direct overflow from the hidden riches or poverty stored deep within our hearts. The "abundance" h…
