Devine Scripture

Luke 12:16

What does Luke 12:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:16 means

Jesus begins a parable about a rich man whose land produced abundantly. The emphasis is on the productivity of the ground, not the man’s brilliance. Prosperity, while not evil, poses a spiritual test. Blessings can invite gratitude and generosity—or fuel self-absorption. The parable sets the stage to examine how the heart responds when there is more than enough. Jesus invites listeners to consider that increase is God’s gift and stewardship, not an automatic endorsement of one’s plans. The story will probe whether the man thinks vertically—in relation to God—or only horizontally, in terms of storage and comfort.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, in a story, The land of a certain man of great wealth was very fertile:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he spake a simile unto them, saying, `Of a certain rich man the field brought forth well;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The land of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.

Context

This opening sets the scene for the parable meant to illustrate the warning against covetousness. The prosperous harvest will reveal the character of the rich man’s heart through his decisions about surplus. The next verses will trace his internal dialogue, exposing his plans and assumptions, before God’s verdict interrupts and overturns them.

v.15And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

v.16This passage

v.17and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 41:47

    And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

  • Psalms 73:3

    For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

  • Genesis 26:12

    And Isaac sowed in that land, and found in the same year a hundredfold: and Jehovah blessed him.

  • Hosea 2:8

    For she did not know that I gave her the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.

  • Job 12:6

    The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

  • Acts 14:17

    And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

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