Luke 12 17

Luke 12:17 kjv

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luke 12:17 nkjv

And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'

Luke 12:17 niv

He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

Luke 12:17 esv

and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'

Luke 12:17 nlt

He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have room for all my crops.'

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 17 Meaning

This verse introduces the central character of Jesus' parable, a rich man who is confronted with an unprecedented harvest. His internal thought process is revealed, focusing solely on the practical dilemma of storing his abundant yield. This internal monologue highlights his self-centered perspective and preoccupation with material possessions, setting the stage for the parable's strong condemnation of covetousness and short-sighted trust in earthly wealth over spiritual values and God's provision.

Luke 12 17 Context

Luke chapter 12 focuses heavily on themes of discipleship, readiness for Christ's return, and warnings against hypocrisy and covetousness. Verse 17 occurs within the Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:16-21), which Jesus tells immediately after a man asks Him to settle an inheritance dispute (Lk 12:13). Jesus warns the crowd against all forms of covetousness, declaring that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Lk 12:15). The parable illustrates this very point, using the rich man's internal dilemma as a case study for the pitfalls of a materialistic mindset. The historical and cultural context reflects an agrarian society where a bountiful harvest was seen as a profound blessing and a sign of prosperity. However, the true test lay in how one stewarded such blessings—whether for self-enrichment and temporal security, or for God's glory and the good of others.

Luke 12 17 Word analysis

• And he thought (διελογίζετο - dielologizeto): The verb is in the imperfect tense, indicating a continuous, ongoing, and deep internal deliberation. It signifies that the man was engrossed in his own thoughts, contemplating a solution to his "problem." The prefix dia (through, thoroughly) suggests a thorough mental process, yet it is entirely self-contained and self-referential. It highlights the introspection that bypasses God and others.
• within himself: Emphasizes the man's isolation in his thinking. His deliberation is private, without counsel from God, wisdom from scripture, or concern for others. This indicates a self-sufficient and self-focused spirit, disconnected from community or divine guidance.
• saying (λέγων - legon): This participle accompanies "thought," reinforcing that his internal thoughts were formulated as if in speech to himself. This adds to the picture of deep, continuous preoccupation.
• What shall I do: This is presented as a dilemma or a problem, which is ironic given that it stems from overwhelming abundance. It reflects a mindset geared towards resource management and security for himself. This question reveals his perceived "crisis" is one of logistical convenience, not ethical or spiritual responsibility.
• because I have no room (οὐκ ἔχω ποῦ - ouk echō pou): Literally "I have nowhere." This highlights his singular focus on storage capacity. His "lack" is not of resources, but of space for more. It reveals a constricted perspective on wealth, limited to accumulation and preservation rather than distribution or generosity. It underlines the idea that his possessions are burdens when not efficiently managed for self.
• where to bestow (συνάξω - synaxō): The Greek verb means to gather, collect, store, or heap up. The future tense implies a decision to be made about consolidating and hoarding. It points to his intent for the "fruits" – not to share, sell, or invest for broader good, but purely for self-storage and future consumption or security.
• my fruits (τῶν καρπῶν μου - tōn karpōn mou): The possessive pronoun "my" (μου - mou) is highly significant. It is repeated, implying a strong sense of personal ownership and achievement. There is no acknowledgment of God as the provider or that these "fruits" were a blessing from above. His wealth is entirely "his," detached from divine source or purpose. This underlines his self-made, self-reliant worldview.

Luke 12 17 Bonus section

• The rich man is not condemned for having riches, but for his attitude towards them: his covetousness, self-sufficiency, and failure to acknowledge God as the source or to use his abundance for others.
• This verse subtly sets up the theological concept of stewardship versus ownership, where the rich man believes he is the sole owner, completely disregarding God's ultimate dominion over all things.
• The parable doesn't present external obstacles for the rich man; his primary issue arises from his own heart and mind, leading to his fatal miscalculation regarding his life's security and brevity.

Luke 12 17 Commentary

This verse serves as the turning point in the parable, moving from the rich man's extraordinary fortune to his internal response. His immediate reaction to an unprecedented harvest is not gratitude, generosity, or inquiry of God's will, but an anxious calculation about material storage. His problem is ironic: an abundance that exceeds his capacity to hoard. The "problem" is perceived entirely in terms of logistics for personal gain, revealing a heart utterly consumed by wealth. His solitary deliberation, encapsulated by "thought within himself," underscores his self-reliance and the complete absence of God, community, or philanthropic consideration in his life plan. The strong emphasis on "my fruits" signifies an idolatrous possessiveness, treating divine blessings as personal conquests. This mental state is what ultimately condemns him as a "fool," for prioritizing perishable possessions over eternal life and righteous stewardship.