In the parable, Jesus describes two builders—one wise and one foolish. The wise builder is compared to a man who built his house upon a rock, and the foolish builder is likened to a man who built his house upon the sand. The wise builder’s house, constructed on a solid foundation of rock, withstands the forces of nature, including rain, floods, and winds. On the other hand, the foolish builder’s house, built on the unstable foundation of sand, is easily swept away by the same natural elements, leaving it in ruins. Jesus concludes the parable by stating that the one who hears and obeys His words is like the wise builder who builds on a solid foundation. However, the one who hears His words but does not obey is like the foolish builder who builds on a weak foundation.
It emphasizes the importance of not only hearing Jesus’s teachings but putting them into practice. The foundation of rock represents a life grounded in obedience to Jesus’s words and principles. Such a life is stable and resilient, able to withstand the challenges and storms of life. In contrast, the sandy foundation represents a life that hears but heeds not Jesus’s teachings, resulting in vulnerability to life’s trials. Also, this parable is the theme for the popular hymn “Build on the Rock.”
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders Meaning
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders can be found in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49:
Matthew 7:24-27
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
Luke 6:46-49
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
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