Luke 12:17

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

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}?

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

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

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

Luke 12:17 is a pivotal moment in Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool, revealing the man's internal monologue and the core of his dilemma. After a bountiful harvest, his problem isn't a lack of wealth, but a lack of space for his abundance. This verse sets the stage for the tragic consequences of his self-centered planning and spiritual blindness.

Context

This verse immediately follows Luke 12:16, where Jesus begins the parable about a rich man whose land produced a great harvest. The man's prosperity was undeniable, but his subsequent thoughts, as captured in verse 17, expose a deeply materialistic and self-sufficient worldview. He is consumed with managing his earthly possessions, illustrating a mindset focused solely on temporal comfort and security rather than eternal realities or the needs of others.

Key Themes

  • Materialism and Self-Sufficiency: The man's entire focus is on his "fruits" and his "room." His internal dialogue reveals no thought of God, no gratitude, and no consideration for sharing his surplus. He sees his wealth as solely for himself, embodying a spirit of covetousness that Jesus had just warned against in Luke 12:15.
  • Short-Sighted Planning: His plans extend only to building bigger barns for more storage, reflecting a complete lack of foresight regarding his mortality or the spiritual dimension of life. His problem is not a lack of space, but a lack of eternal perspective.
  • Isolation and Self-Centeredness: The phrase "thought within himself" emphasizes his solitary, inward focus. There is no consultation with others, no seeking of wisdom, just a private calculation of how to manage his personal gain. This isolation underscores his detachment from community and spiritual purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thought within himself" (Greek: dielogizeto en heauto) highlights the internal, contemplative nature of the rich man's planning. It signifies an intense, solitary deliberation, underscoring that his entire problem and solution were conceived and confined within his own mind, without reference to God or others. The "fruits" (Greek: karpoi) refer to the agricultural produce, symbolizing the tangible results of his earthly endeavors and the source of his dilemma.

Practical Application

Luke 12:17 serves as a powerful mirror, challenging us to examine our own priorities and the nature of our internal thoughts. It prompts us to ask: What do we do when we experience abundance? Is our first thought about accumulating more for ourselves, or does it include gratitude, generosity, and an awareness of God's provision? This verse, leading into the tragic conclusion of the parable, reminds us that true security and lasting treasure are not found in earthly possessions but in a right relationship with God and a life lived with an eternal perspective, as Jesus later teaches about storing up treasures in heaven.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 5:42

    Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

  • Isaiah 58:7

    [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

  • 2 Corinthians 9:6

    ¶ But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:15

    Thanks [be] unto God for his unspeakable gift.

  • Romans 12:13

    Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • Luke 11:41

    But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Luke 19:17

    And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back