Luke 12 15

Luke 12:15 kjv

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:15 nkjv

And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

Luke 12:15 niv

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

Luke 12:15 esv

And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Luke 12:15 nlt

Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 15 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial warning from Jesus against the spiritual danger of greed or covetousness. It directly follows an individual's request for Jesus to intervene in a family inheritance dispute, a request Jesus swiftly declined, shifting the focus from material arbitration to a deeper spiritual principle. Jesus emphatically instructs His hearers to be vigilant against all forms of grasping desire for more, because true human life, in its essence and value, is not determined or enriched by the abundance of one's material possessions. The quality of one's existence is not found in accumulated wealth, but in something far greater, implying a spiritual dimension and reliance on God.

Luke 12 15 Context

Luke 12:15 occurs immediately after an incident where an anonymous man in the crowd asks Jesus to arbitrate a family inheritance dispute (Lk 12:13). Jesus explicitly rejects this role, stating, "Man, who made me a judge or arbiter over you?" (Lk 12:14). His refusal highlights that His mission is spiritual, not legal or financial arbitration of worldly affairs. He then pivots directly from the individual's concern about property to a general warning addressed "to them" (meaning the disciples and the surrounding crowd) about the true source of life's value. The teaching in this verse serves as the thematic introduction to the Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:16-21), which perfectly illustrates the danger of a life consumed by material accumulation, ultimately leading to a spiritual void and God's judgment. The broader chapter context includes teachings on true discipleship, confession of Christ, hypocrisy, trust in God's provision over anxiety, and faithful stewardship, all of which contrast with the materialistic worldview addressed in verse 15. Culturally, property disputes were common in ancient Jewish society, and while rabbis often mediated such issues, Jesus chose to expose the heart motive of covetousness rather than to settle the legal dispute.

Luke 12 15 Word analysis

• And he said to them: Signifies a deliberate, authoritative teaching moment from Jesus, addressed to the multitude and His disciples, transcending the specific request from the individual in the preceding verses.
• “Take care (Ὁρᾶτε, Horate): This Greek word is a strong imperative, meaning "see!", "look!", "beware!", or "watch out!" It demands keen observation and vigilance. It implies an active awareness of a hidden danger, not merely a passive suggestion.
• and be on your guard (καὶ φυλάσσεσθε, kai phylassesthe): This second imperative, meaning "guard yourselves" or "keep watch," intensifies the warning from "take care." It emphasizes actively protecting oneself against the impending spiritual threat of covetousness, indicating an internal battle and conscious effort to resist.
• against all (ἀπὸ πάσης, apo pasēs): The Greek phrase translates to "from every kind of" or "against all forms of." It denotes comprehensiveness, warning against any and every manifestation of grasping desire, from subtle discontent to outright greed.
• covetousness (πλεονεξίας, pleonexias): From pleon (more) and echein (to have), this term literally means "desire to have more" or "grasping." It signifies an insatiable craving for wealth, possessions, or status, often at the expense of others or disregard for ethical boundaries. In the New Testament, it is a grave sin, often equated with idolatry (Eph 5:5; Col 3:5), implying that the desired object replaces God as one's ultimate devotion.
• for (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces the crucial reason or logical explanation for the preceding warning, underscoring the spiritual danger of covetousness.
• one's life (ἡ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ, hē zoē autou): Here, zoē (life) refers to the essence, meaning, and true well-being of a person, not merely biological existence (for which psychē is often used). Jesus implies that the genuine quality, fulfillment, and eternal destiny of one's existence are at stake.
• does not consist in (οὐκ ἐστὶν ἐκ, ouk estin ek): An emphatic negative statement. It asserts that life's core meaning and substance do not originate from, or depend upon, what follows. It challenges a common worldly assumption about what truly gives value to life.
• the abundance (ἐκ τοῦ περισσεύειν, ek tou perisseuein): Translates to "out of the abundance" or "out of the overflow." Perisseuein implies not just having possessions, but having them in great quantity or even superfluously. The emphasis is on the sheer volume of material goods.
• of his possessions (τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτῷ, ta hyparchonta autō): Refers to "the things belonging to him," his property, goods, or belongings. These are often things that can be quantified and accumulated, tangible assets.

• "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness": This dual imperative serves as a potent double-warning, emphasizing the gravity and pervasiveness of the threat of greed. It calls for constant vigilance against a deeply ingrained human tendency that subtly undermines one's spiritual health. It targets the inner desire, which is the root of many outward sins.
• "for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions": This clause provides the foundational rationale for the warning. It is a profound declaration challenging a prevalent worldview that links well-being and security to material wealth. Jesus directly confronts the misconception that a person's worth or quality of life is determined by how much they own, setting the stage for the following parable about true richness in the sight of God.

Luke 12 15 Bonus section

• Covetousness as Idolatry: The New Testament (e.g., Eph 5:5; Col 3:5) explicitly links pleonexia (covetousness) to idolatry. This profound connection means that when a person desires and seeks material gain above all else, their heart has replaced God with wealth as the ultimate object of worship and trust. The material becomes their god, from whom they expect fulfillment and security that only God can provide.
• Jesus' Role Refused: Jesus' refusal to act as an arbiter in the inheritance dispute (Lk 12:13-14) is significant. It underlines His mission not as a worldly judge or mediator in legal or financial matters, but as a spiritual teacher and Savior concerned with the condition of the human heart and its eternal destiny. He consistently turned earthly requests into opportunities for heavenly lessons.
• "Life" (Zoe) vs. "Biological Existence" (Psyche): While psychē often refers to biological life or the soul, zoē in Jesus' teaching, especially in contexts like John's Gospel, frequently points to eternal life, abundant life, or spiritual life sourced in God. In Lk 12:15, zoē speaks to the fundamental quality, meaning, and fullness of human existence that materialistic pursuits can never truly offer. It refers to a flourishing life, lived in harmony with God's will and eternal purposes.
• Challenging Prevailing Wisdom: In many ancient cultures, including some streams of Jewish thought, material prosperity was often seen as a direct sign of God's favor and blessing. Jesus' statement directly challenges this interpretation, asserting that true blessedness and the essence of life are independent of material accumulation. His teaching subverts worldly values and points to a spiritual kingdom where heavenly currency holds true value.

Luke 12 15 Commentary

Luke 12:15 cuts to the heart of a universal human temptation: to find security, identity, and ultimate meaning in material wealth. Jesus issues a strong, twofold imperative ("take care," "be on your guard") against "all covetousness," recognizing that this insatiable desire for more can subtly permeate every aspect of life. He immediately follows this warning with the core theological truth: true life, in its profound and eternal sense, is not sourced in the sheer volume of one's possessions. This truth reframes humanity's pursuit of purpose, redirecting it from external accumulation to internal, spiritual realities. The parable of the rich fool (Lk 12:16-21), directly subsequent to this verse, provides a stark illustration of this very principle, showcasing the ultimate futility and spiritual poverty of one who trusts in earthly abundance over God. Jesus teaches that an abundance of possessions provides neither genuine nor lasting life, security, or happiness. The verse serves as a call for spiritual self-assessment, urging individuals to identify and reject the deceptive promise of materialism and instead pursue true life as defined by God.