Luke 12:34
What does Luke 12:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:34 means
Jesus states a diagnostic truth: your heart follows your treasure. What you most value inevitably shapes your affections, choices, and hopes. If your wealth is bound to earth, your heart will be rooted in what perishes. If your treasure is in heaven, your heart will rise toward God and His purposes. This helps believers examine their investments—not only money, but time and attention. The line invites intentionality: choose a treasure worthy of your heart. In doing so, you cultivate desires and habits that fit the kingdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For where your wealth is, there will your heart be.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.
Context
This maxim concludes the section on generosity and heavenly investment. It naturally transitions to the theme of readiness: a heart anchored in heavenly treasure will live alert for the Lord’s return. The next verses will use servant imagery—girded loins, burning lamps, waiting for the master from a marriage feast—to commend active watchfulness and promise surprising rewards.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Matthew 6:21
for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
- Colossians 3:1
If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.
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