Luke 12 18

Luke 12:18 kjv

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Luke 12:18 nkjv

So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.

Luke 12:18 niv

"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.

Luke 12:18 esv

And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

Luke 12:18 nlt

Then he said, 'I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 18 Meaning

This verse details the rich man's self-centered plan to accommodate his overflowing harvest by demolishing his existing barns and constructing larger ones to store all his grain and accumulated goods. It vividly portrays a mindset engrossed in earthly wealth, entirely focused on personal gain and security without any consideration for God, generosity, or the transient nature of life.

Luke 12 18 Context

The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), where this verse is found, immediately follows Jesus' warning against covetousness in Luke 12:15, prompted by a man asking Jesus to intervene in an inheritance dispute. The man's request shows an earthly focus on possessions, which Jesus addresses by narrating this parable. Historically, in an agrarian society like ancient Judea, grain was a primary form of wealth, and its storage signified security and prosperity. The rich man's actions, while seemingly prudent from a worldly economic standpoint, stand in stark contrast to Jesus' teachings on true security and wealth. The parable serves as a sharp critique against materialism, self-reliance, and neglecting eternal realities for temporal gain.

Luke 12 18 Word analysis

• "And he said": Refers to the rich man, initiating his internal monologue or self-consultation, highlighting his personal deliberation and plans.
• "This is what I will do" (ταῦτα ποιήσω - tauta poiēsō): Emphasizes the rich man's determined, independent agency. He assumes complete control and capability over his future, formulating plans solely from his own perspective, without any reference or deference to God's will.
• "I will tear down" (καθελῶ - kathelō): This verb suggests a drastic, deliberate, and expansive undertaking. It implies not just modification but a complete demolition of existing structures to accommodate massive growth. It reflects the ambitious and absolute nature of his plans, aiming for maximum capacity.
• "my barns" (τὰς ἀποθήκας μου - tas apothēkas mou): The possessive pronoun "my" used with "barns" (granaries or storehouses) highlights the man's sense of absolute ownership and personal claim over his resources. This phrase emphasizes his worldly property and his focus on himself.
• "and build larger ones" (μείζονας οἰκοδομήσω - meizonas oikodomēsō): "Larger" (μείζονας - meizonas) denotes an ambition for immense expansion and ever-increasing wealth. This reveals his insatiable desire and a plan to accumulate more, perpetuating a cycle of endless acquisition rather than a distribution or investment for eternal purposes.
• "and there I will store" (κἀκεῖ συνάξω - kakei synaxō): "There" refers specifically to the enlarged barns, centralizing his focus on his earthly possessions. "I will store" further reinforces his individualistic actions and control over his accumulated goods.
• "all my grain and my goods" (πάντα τὸν σῖτον καὶ τὰ ἀγαθά μου - panta ton siton kai ta agatha mou):
  • "all": Indicates a complete dedication to material accumulation; he intends to gather everything for himself.
  • "my grain": Specific mention of the agricultural produce that formed the basis of his immediate wealth.
  • "and my goods" (τὰ ἀγαθά μου - ta agatha mou): "Goods" refers broadly to his general possessions or wealth. The repetition of "my" ("μου") reinforces his singular focus on possession. Ironically, agatha means "good things," yet these very "good things" prove to be the source of his spiritual downfall and ultimate loss.

Luke 12 18 Bonus section

The rich man's thoughts and actions as described in this verse showcase a radical shift in identity and purpose. He is effectively de-throning God and enthralling himself, becoming his own god, source, and ultimate end. The meticulous planning revealed here underscores human delusion, often thinking in terms of decades ("many years") while overlooking the fragility of a single night. This verse also serves as a warning against the dangers of abundance; a surplus, instead of leading to gratitude and generosity, can paradoxically harden the heart and blind one to spiritual truths. The man's sole focus is storing, not sharing, investing, or celebrating the harvest with the community or God.

Luke 12 18 Commentary

Luke 12:18 portrays the rich man's quintessential self-reliance and material obsession, central to the parable's lesson. His plan, while prudent from a secular business perspective, completely disregards the spiritual dimension of life. His language—"I will do," "my barns," "I will store," "my grain," "my goods"—is permeated by self-centeredness and possession, reflecting a heart estranged from God and devoid of generosity. He sees his surplus as a personal problem requiring personal, larger solutions, rather than an opportunity for service or giving thanks. The verse implicitly highlights a common human tendency: to view prosperity as a means for self-indulgence and greater worldly security, thereby sealing one's own fate of being "rich toward himself" but poor "toward God." The tragic irony is that his extensive planning for a long, comfortable future is swiftly nullified by divine judgment in the subsequent verse, revealing the profound foolishness of placing ultimate trust in transient earthly possessions.