Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 6:38

"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 (ASV)

Good measure. They shall give you good measure, or full measure.

Pressed down. As figs or grapes might be, and thus many more might be put into the measure.

Shaken together. To make it more compact, and thus to give more.

Running over. So full that the measure would overflow.

Shall men give. This is said to be the reward of giving to the poor and needy; and the meaning is that the man who is liberal will find others liberal to him in dealing with them, and when he is also in circumstances of want. A man who is himself kind to the poor—who has that character established—will find many who are ready to help him abundantly when he is in want. He who is parsimonious, stingy, miserly, will find few or none who will aid him.

Into your bosom. That is, to you. The word bosom here has reference to a custom among Oriental nations of making the bosom or front part of their garments large, so that articles could be carried in them, answering the purpose of our pockets. Compare to Exodus 4:6-7; Proverbs 6:27; Ruth 3:15.