Devine Scripture

Luke 12:21

What does Luke 12:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:21 means

Jesus applies the parable: this is the fate of those who store up treasure for themselves and are not rich toward God. Riches can either become a self-focused fortress or a means to honor God and bless others. Being “rich toward God” means valuing Him above wealth, stewarding possessions for His purposes, and trusting Him for security. The warning exposes the soul’s direction: inward for hoarding, upward for worship, outward for generosity. The parable presses listeners to choose where true wealth lies and to invest in what endures beyond death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that is what comes to the man who gets wealth for himself, and has not wealth in the eyes of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so <FI>is<Fi> he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thus is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich towardGod.

Context

This concluding line distills the lesson from the rich fool. It bridges from the danger of covetousness to a positive vision of life oriented toward God. Immediately, Jesus turns to His disciples and addresses anxiety about daily needs, showing that trust in the Father frees them both from greed and from worry, and redirects their pursuit to the kingdom.

v.20But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?

v.21This passage

v.22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 6:24

    But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

  • Luke 12:33

    Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.

  • Revelation 2:9

    I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

  • Romans 2:5

    but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

  • Matthew 6:19

    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:

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