Luke 12:18

KJV

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036}, This {G5124} will I do {G4160}: I will pull down {G2507} my {G3450} barns {G596}, and {G2532} build {G3618} greater {G3187}; and {G2532} there {G1563} will I bestow {G4863} all {G3956} my {G3450} fruits {G1081} and {G2532} my {G3450} goods {G18}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and I’ll store all my wheat and other goods there.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods.

American Standard Version

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:18, part of Jesus's Parable of the Rich Fool, reveals the misguided priorities of a man whose unexpected abundance leads him not to gratitude or generosity, but to a self-serving plan of expansion and hoarding. This verse encapsulates the rich man's singular focus on accumulating earthly wealth for his own comfort and security, setting the stage for the parable's stark warning against covetousness and the folly of trusting in material possessions over God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct quote from the rich man within the Parable of the Rich Fool, found in [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool"). Jesus tells this parable in response to a man's request for Him to arbitrate an inheritance dispute ([Luke 12:13](/luke/12-13 "Luke 12:13 - The Inheritance Dispute")). Before the parable, Jesus explicitly warns His disciples against covetousness, stating, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness")). Thus, the rich man's monologue in [Luke 12:17-19](/luke/12-17-19 "Luke 12:17-19 - The Rich Man's Soliloquy") serves as a vivid illustration of the very covetousness Jesus condemns, highlighting the man's self-centered planning in the face of unexpected prosperity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient agrarian societies, a bountiful harvest was a sign of divine blessing and crucial for survival. Barns (or granaries) were essential for storing grain, which served as both food and a form of wealth. However, Jewish law and tradition emphasized communal responsibility, particularly caring for the poor and needy (e.g., leaving gleanings for the poor as in [Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9-10 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Laws of Harvest and Gleaning")). The rich man's decision to build larger barns for his *own* surplus, without any thought of sharing or tithing, would have been seen as a stark departure from these communal values. His actions reflect a self-sufficient, individualistic mindset that contrasted sharply with the expected generosity and dependence on God.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:18 contributes to several major themes within the parable and Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **materialism and covetousness**, illustrating how an abundance of possessions can lead to a narrow, self-focused worldview, as warned in [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness"). Secondly, it highlights the **false security of earthly wealth**, demonstrating the futility of trusting in riches for future peace and comfort, a concept Jesus often contrasts with the true security found in God ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven")). Finally, the verse sets up the theme of **earthly vs. eternal perspective**, as the rich man's plans are entirely confined to his mortal life, oblivious to his impending death and eternal accountability ([Luke 12:20](/luke/12-20 "Luke 12:20 - God's Judgment on the Fool")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **pull down (Greek, _kathairéō'_):** From `κατά` (down) and `αἱρέομαι` (to take), meaning to lower or, with violence, to demolish. The rich man's intention to "pull down" his existing barns signifies a decisive, destructive act, not merely an expansion. It indicates a radical restructuring of his storage capacity, driven by his overwhelming surplus and ambition.
* **build (Greek, _oikodoméō'_):** From the same root as `οἰκοδομή` (a building), meaning to be a house-builder, to construct, or figuratively, to confirm/edify. Here, it refers to the literal construction of larger, more substantial granaries. This word emphasizes the man's proactive and determined effort to secure his future through material means.
* **bestow (Greek, _synágō'_):** From `σύν` (with) and `ἄγω` (to lead), meaning to lead together, collect, or convene. In this context, it specifically means to gather and store his produce. This word highlights the act of accumulation and preservation, reinforcing the man's focus on hoarding his wealth for himself rather than distributing it or using it for broader purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, This will I do:"** This opening phrase establishes the rich man's confident and decisive declaration. He has deliberated and arrived at a personal, self-determined plan, indicating a sense of autonomy and control over his situation.
* **"I will pull down my barns, and build greater;"** This is the core of his strategy. The "pulling down" suggests that his current storage facilities are utterly inadequate for his unprecedented harvest, necessitating a complete overhaul. The phrase "build greater" reveals his ambition and foresight, aiming for maximum capacity to accommodate his burgeoning wealth. The repeated "my" underscores his possessive and self-centered mindset.
* **"and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods."** This clause specifies the purpose of his grand construction project: to store *all* his produce and possessions. "Fruits" (Greek: `génnēma`) refers to the agricultural yield, while "goods" (Greek: `agathós`) is a broader term for his accumulated wealth. The phrase "all my" emphasizes his desire for complete control and retention of his assets, leaving no room for sharing or tithing.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent, particularly with the repeated use of the first-person pronoun "I" and the possessive "my" ("I will pull down my barns," "I will bestow all my fruits and my goods"). This insistent repetition underscores the rich man's profound self-centeredness, his exclusive focus on his own needs and possessions, and his complete lack of consideration for God or others. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing** and **Dramatic Irony**. The man's meticulous planning for a long, prosperous future, based entirely on his material wealth, ironically foreshadows his sudden and unexpected death, which God reveals in the subsequent verse ([Luke 12:20](/luke/12-20 "Luke 12:20 - God's Judgment on the Fool")). His confident declaration of what "I will do" stands in stark contrast to God's ultimate decree, making his earthly ambitions ultimately futile. Furthermore, the "barns" themselves serve as **Symbolism**, representing the man's false sense of security and his misplaced trust in material possessions as the source of his well-being and future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:18 powerfully illustrates the spiritual dangers of unchecked materialism and the illusion of self-sufficiency. The rich man's plan, though seemingly prudent from a worldly perspective, is deeply flawed from a divine one because it completely omits God. His focus on "my" possessions and "my" future reveals a heart that has made wealth its god, rather than recognizing God as the ultimate provider and steward of all resources. This verse highlights the biblical truth that true life and security are not found in accumulation but in a right relationship with the Creator and a generous spirit towards others. It challenges believers to consider where their ultimate trust lies and whether their plans align with God's kingdom values.

* [Proverbs 27:1](/proverbs/27-1 "Proverbs 27:1 - Do Not Boast About Tomorrow")
* [James 4:13-16](/james/4-13-16 "James 4:13-16 - Boasting About Tomorrow")
* [1 Timothy 6:17-19](/1_timothy/6-17-19 "1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Instructions to the Rich")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The rich man's soliloquy in Luke 12:18 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination. In a world that constantly encourages accumulation and self-reliance, this verse challenges us to pause and consider the true source of our security and joy. Are our "barns"—our investments, our careers, our possessions—becoming the primary focus of our lives, eclipsing our relationship with God and our responsibility to others? The parable reminds us that life is fleeting, and our earthly plans, no matter how meticulously crafted, are ultimately subject to divine will. True wisdom lies not in amassing wealth for ourselves but in cultivating a generous spirit, recognizing God as the owner of all, and investing in eternal values. This verse calls us to evaluate our priorities, to seek spiritual richness over material abundance, and to live with an open hand, ready to share the blessings God has entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "barns" in my life that I am tempted to rely on for security, rather than God?**
* **How does my planning for the future reflect an eternal perspective, or is it solely focused on earthly comforts and gains?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more generous spirit with the resources God has given me, rather than simply accumulating for myself?**

### FAQ
**What is wrong with the rich man's plan to build bigger barns?**

Answer: The problem with the rich man's plan was not the act of building bigger barns in itself, but the self-centered, materialistic attitude and false security it represented. His plan revealed a heart that was consumed by greed and self-indulgence, with no thought for God, gratitude, or generosity towards others. He repeatedly used "my" ("my barns," "my fruits," "my goods"), indicating a possessive spirit that viewed his abundance as solely for his own benefit. He believed his wealth would secure his soul and provide him with many years of ease ([Luke 12:19](/luke/12-19 "Luke 12:19 - The Rich Man's False Security")), demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness to the fleeting nature of life and the true source of security. God called him a "fool" because his life was taken that very night, rendering all his earthly plans meaningless ([Luke 12:20](/luke/12-20 "Luke 12:20 - God's Judgment on the Fool")). His sin was not having wealth, but trusting in it and hoarding it, rather than being "rich toward God" ([Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - The Conclusion of the Parable")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:18, though depicting a man utterly devoid of Christ-like character, ultimately points to the fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The rich man's pursuit of self-centered accumulation stands in stark contrast to Christ's life of radical self-giving and generosity. While the rich man sought to secure his own future through earthly possessions, Jesus taught His followers to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Treasures in Heaven")). Christ Himself is the ultimate treasure, embodying true wealth not in material abundance but in spiritual riches, offering eternal life and peace that no earthly "barn" could ever contain. His life, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, demonstrates the ultimate act of generosity, giving up everything to reconcile humanity to God ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Generosity")). Through Christ, believers are called to shift their focus from building bigger earthly barns to building God's kingdom, understanding that true security and fulfillment are found in Him and in living a life "rich toward God" ([Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Being Rich Toward God")), which involves generosity, trust, and an eternal perspective.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:15

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.

James 4:15

For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Luke 18:6

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Luke 12:21

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

Luke 18:4

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Psalms 17:14

From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.