Luke 12:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Complete Jewish Bible:

He debated with himself, ‘What should I do? I haven’t enough room for all my crops.’

Berean Standard Bible:

So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he thought^{G1260} within^{G1722} himself^{G1438}, saying^{G3004}, What^{G5101} shall I do^{G4160}, because^{G3754} I have^{G2192} no^{G3756} room where^{G4226} to bestow^{G4863} my^{G3450} fruits^{G2590}?

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Commentary for Luke 12:17

Luke 12:17 is a verse that falls within a parable taught by Jesus Christ, which is found in the Gospel of Luke. This particular parable is known as the Parable of the Rich Fool and is unique to Luke's Gospel. In the verses leading up to 12:17, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy man whose land produced abundant crops. The man, rather than being content with his blessings, is faced with a dilemma: he has no space to store his surplus harvest.

In Luke 12:17, the rich man speaks to himself, pondering his situation. The verse captures the essence of his internal dialogue, where he considers what to do with his excessive wealth and resources. His solution is to tear down his existing barns and build larger ones to store his crops, which will then allow him to "take [his] ease, eat, drink, and be merry" (Luke 12:19, NKJV). This verse reflects the themes of materialism, self-reliance, and the fleeting nature of wealth.

The historical context of this verse is important to understand. During the time of Jesus, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor, and the accumulation of goods was considered a wise practice, ensuring security against future uncertainties. However, Jesus' teachings frequently challenged the prevailing cultural norms regarding wealth and possessions.

In this parable, Jesus uses the rich man's situation to teach a spiritual lesson about the dangers of greed and the futility of living solely for oneself. Immediately after the man's internal dialogue, God rebukes him for his foolishness, as his life will be demanded of him that very night, and his wealth will be of no use to him (Luke 12:20-21). The parable serves as a warning against greed and the misplaced confidence in material wealth, emphasizing the importance of being "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21)—that is, cultivating spiritual wealth and generosity rather than hoarding earthly possessions.

In summary, Luke 12:17 is a pivotal verse in a parable that critiques the human tendency to focus on accumulating wealth and possessions without regard for spiritual matters or the welfare of others. It challenges listeners to evaluate their own priorities and to consider the eternal consequences of their actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1260
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: διαλογίζομαι
   Transliteration: dialogízomai
   Pronunciation: dee-al-og-id'-zom-ahee
   Description: from διά and λογίζομαι; to reckon thoroughly, i.e. (genitive case) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion):--cast in mind, consider, dispute, muse, reason, think.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1438
   There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
   Transliteration: heautoû
   Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
   Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
11. Strong's Number: G4226
    There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποῦ
    Transliteration: poû
    Pronunciation: poo
    Description: genitive case of an interrogative pronoun (what) otherwise obsolete (perhaps the same as πού used with the rising slide of inquiry); as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality:--where, whither.
    
12. Strong's Number: G4863
    There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συνάγω
    Transliteration: synágō
    Pronunciation: soon-ag'-o
    Description: from σύν and ἄγω; to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably):--+ accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2590
    There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καρπός
    Transliteration: karpós
    Pronunciation: kar-pos'
    Description: probably from the base of ἁρπάζω; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively:--fruit.