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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 12:17 So he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/12-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/42_Luk_12_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 12:17 - The Parable of the Rich Fool" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/12-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/12-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm" title="Luke 12:16">◄</a> Luke 12:17 <a href="/luke/12-18.htm" title="Luke 12:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/12.htm">New International Version</a> He thought to himself, &#8216What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/luke/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ <a href="/esv/luke/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ <a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ <a href="/blb/luke/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And he was reasoning within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere I will store up my fruits?' <a href="/kjv/luke/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? <a href="/nkjv/luke/12.htm">New King James Version</a> And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ <a href="/nasb_/luke/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ <a href="/nasb/luke/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And he began reasoning to himself, saying, &#8216What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/luke/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ <a href="/lsb/luke/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ <a href="/amp/luke/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And he began thinking to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place [large enough in which] to store my crops?’ <a href="/csb/luke/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? <a href="/hcsb/luke/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He thought to himself, What should I do, since I don&#8217t have anywhere to store my crops? <a href="/asv/luke/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? <a href="/cev/luke/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and he said to himself, "What can I do? I don't have a place large enough to store everything." <a href="/erv/luke/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? <a href="/gwt/luke/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He thought, 'What should I do? I don't have enough room to store my crops.' <a href="/gnt/luke/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> He began to think to himself, 'I don't have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? <a href="/isv/luke/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> So he began to think to himself, 'What should I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' <a href="/msb/luke/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So he thought to himself, ?What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?? <a href="/net/luke/12.htm">NET Bible</a> so he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' <a href="/nheb/luke/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I do not have room to store my crops?' <a href="/wbt/luke/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to deposit my fruits? <a href="/wey/luke/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and he debated within himself, saying, "'What am I to do? for I have no place in which to store my crops.' <a href="/web/luke/12.htm">World English Bible</a> He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he was reasoning within himself, saying, What will I do, because I have nowhere I will gather together my fruits? <a href="/blb/luke/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And he was reasoning within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere I will store up my fruits?' <a href="/ylt/luke/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he was reasoning within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where I shall gather together my fruits? <a href="/slt/luke/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he calculated in himself, saying, What shall I do, for I have not where I shall collect together my fruits?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? <a href="/cpdv/luke/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he thought within himself, saying: ‘What should I do? For I have nowhere to gather together my crops.’ <a href="/nabre/luke/12.htm">New American Bible</a> He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ <a href="/nrsvce/luke/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he reasoned within himself and said, What shall I do, for I have no place to gather my crops? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And he thought to himself and said, 'What shall I do, for there is no place for me to gather my crops?' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And he reasoned within himself, saying: What shall I do? for I have no place in which I can store my fruits. <a href="/godbey/luke/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>and he was reasoning in himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no place where I shall store my fruits?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do? for I have not room where I may house my crops. <a href="/mace/luke/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and thus he reason'd with himself, what shall I do for want of room to store up my crop? <a href="/wey/luke/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and he debated within himself, saying, "'What am I to do? for I have no place in which to store my crops.' <a href="/worrell/luke/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>and he reasoned within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, because I have not where to store my fruits?'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do? for I have not <Fr>room<FR> to lay up my corn.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/12-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=5097" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm">The Parable of the Rich Fool</a> …16Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. 17<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/1260.htm" title="1260: dielogizeto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To reason (with), debate (with), consider. From dia and logizomai; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate.">he thought</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautō (RefPro-DM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">‘What</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsō (V-ASA-1S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">shall I do,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">since</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PIA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">I have</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">nowhere</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality."></a> <a href="/greek/4863.htm" title="4863: synaxō (V-FIA-1S) -- From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.">to store</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2590.htm" title="2590: karpous (N-AMP) -- Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.">crops?’</a> 18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-15</a> Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” <a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">Proverbs 27:1</a> Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10-12</a> He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? / The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. <a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17-19</a> Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Matthew 19:21-24</a> Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. / Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ... <a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10-12</a> For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. / Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. / But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:18-19</a> I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. / And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. <a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36-37</a> What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? / Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? <a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Proverbs 11:28</a> He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a> Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/job/31-24.htm">Job 31:24-28</a> If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, / if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much, / if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, ... <a href="/matthew/13-22.htm">Matthew 13:22</a> The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a> Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:8</a> There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?What.<a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Luke 12:22,29</a> And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on… <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25</a> And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?<a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Luke 16:3</a> Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.shall.<a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Luke 12:33</a> Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.<a href="/luke/3-11.htm">Luke 3:11</a> He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.<a href="/luke/11-41.htm">Luke 11:41</a> But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/4-7.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/mark/11-31.htm">Debated</a> <a href="/matthew/25-27.htm">Deposit</a> <a href="/luke/8-15.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/luke/11-23.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/luke/10-33.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/luke/9-58.htm">Nowhere</a> <a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Reasoned</a> <a href="/luke/9-47.htm">Reasoning</a> <a href="/luke/8-17.htm">Room</a> <a href="/luke/9-44.htm">Store</a> <a href="/luke/12-11.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Together</a> <a href="/mark/10-36.htm">What</a> <a href="/luke/12-3.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Bestow</a> <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/luke/20-5.htm">Debated</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Deposit</a> <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/luke/15-5.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/john/12-19.htm">Nowhere</a> <a href="/luke/20-5.htm">Reasoned</a> <a href="/luke/24-15.htm">Reasoning</a> <a href="/luke/14-8.htm">Room</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Store</a> <a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Together</a> <a href="/luke/16-2.htm">What</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 12</div>1. <a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy</a> 13. <a href="/luke/12-13.htm">and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.</a> 22. <a href="/luke/12-22.htm">We must not worry about earthly things,</a> 31. <a href="/luke/12-31.htm">but seek the kingdom of God;</a> 33. <a href="/luke/12-33.htm">give alms;</a> 35. <a href="/luke/12-35.htm">be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.</a> 41. <a href="/luke/12-41.htm">Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,</a> 49. <a href="/luke/12-49.htm">and look for persecution.</a> 54. <a href="/luke/12-54.htm">The people must take this time of grace;</a> 57. <a href="/luke/12-57.htm">because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical context, self-reliance often contrasts with reliance on God. <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a> advises trusting in the Lord rather than one's own understanding. The man's internal focus highlights a lack of seeking divine guidance, a theme prevalent in Jesus' teachings.‘What shall I do The question reveals a sense of urgency and concern about material wealth. In the cultural context of the time, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet Jesus frequently challenged this notion, emphasizing spiritual wealth over material abundance. This question also echoes the rich young ruler's inquiry in <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18</a>, where the focus is on eternal life rather than earthly possessions.since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ The abundance of crops signifies prosperity, yet the man's dilemma underscores the transient nature of material wealth. In historical context, agriculture was central to the economy, and storing surplus was a common practice. However, the man's lack of storage reflects a deeper spiritual issue—his focus on earthly treasures rather than heavenly ones. This connects to Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> about storing treasures in heaven. The parable serves as a warning against greed and the false security of wealth, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_rich_man.htm">The Rich Man</a> The central figure in Jesus' parable, representing individuals who prioritize material wealth over spiritual richness. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The speaker of the parable, teaching His disciples and the crowd about the dangers of greed and the importance of being rich toward God. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, including His disciples and others gathered to hear His teachings. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_barns.htm">The Barns</a> Symbolic of the rich man's wealth and his focus on earthly possessions rather than heavenly treasures. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_parable.htm">The Parable</a> A teaching tool used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through a simple account with a moral lesson.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_materialism.htm">The Danger of Materialism</a> The rich man's focus on his crops and barns highlights the danger of prioritizing material wealth over spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_security.htm">The Illusion of Security</a> Earthly possessions can create a false sense of security, but true security is found in a relationship with God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_stewardship.htm">The Importance of Stewardship</a> Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, using them to serve God and others rather than hoarding them for personal gain. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> This parable encourages Christians to maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on heavenly treasures rather than temporary earthly gains. <a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_and_repentance.htm">Self-Reflection and Repentance</a> The rich man's internal dialogue invites believers to examine their own hearts and priorities, leading to repentance and a reorientation toward God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 12</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_rich_fool_parable's_lesson.htm">What lesson does the Rich Fool parable teach?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_stockpiling.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian stockpiling?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_quirinius_align_with_herod.htm">(Luke 2:2) How does the mention of Quirinius's governorship align with Herod's era, given known historical timelines?</a> <a href="/q/why_focus_on_joseph's_lineage_in_matthew.htm">Why does Jesus' lineage in Matthew focus on Joseph if the Virgin Birth means he was not Joseph's biological son?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) And he thought within himself.--The parable, like that of the Good Samaritan, is more than a similitude, and reads like an actual history. There is an almost dramatic vividness in the rich man's soliloquy. It was the very "superfluity" of the man's goods that became a new cause of anxiety. In such a case half was more than the whole. So far as life depended on property, it would have been better had the property been less.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 17, 18. - And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater. "No place to bestow my fruits." Well answers St. Ambrose," Thou hast barns - the bosoms of the needy, the houses of the widows, the mouths of orphans and of infants." Some might argue, from the sequel of the story, that God looks with disfavour on riches as riches. St. Augustine replies to such a mistaken deduction, "God desires not that thou shouldest lose thy riches, but that thou shouldest change their place" ('Serm.,' 36:9). The Greek word rendered "barns" (ἀποθήκας - whence our word "apothecary") has a broader signification than merely barns; it signifies store or warehouses of all kinds, thus suggesting that the hero of the story was more than a mere wealthy farmer - he was probably also a trader. And there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. As he grew richer, he grew more covetous. Absolutely no care or thought for anything save his loved possessions seems to have crossed the threshold of that poor mistaken heart of his. This strange hunger after riches for riches' sake is, alas! a very usual form of soul-disease. Can it be cured? Alas! it is one of the most hopeless of soul-maladies. This unhappy love in countless cases becomes a passion, and twines itself round the heart, and so destroys all the affections and higher aspirations. <a href="/commentaries/luke/12-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he thought διελογίζετο (dielogizeto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1260.htm">Strong's 1260: </a> To reason (with), debate (with), consider. From dia and logizomai; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. to deliberate. to ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. himself, ἑαυτῷ (heautō) Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. ‘What Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. shall I do, ποιήσω (poiēsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. since ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. I have ἔχω (echō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. nowhere οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. to store συνάξω (synaxō) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4863.htm">Strong's 4863: </a> From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. crops?’ καρπούς (karpous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2590.htm">Strong's 2590: </a> Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/12-17.htm">Luke 12:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/12-17.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 12:17 He reasoned within himself saying 'What will (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 12:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 12:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/12-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 12:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 12:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>