Luke 12:20

KJV

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} God {G2316} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou fool {G878}, this {G5026} night {G3571} thy {G4675} soul {G5590} shall be required {G523} of {G575} thee {G4675}: then {G1161} whose {G5101} shall those things be {G2071}, which {G3739} thou hast provided {G2090}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will die! And the things you prepared — whose will they be?’

Berean Standard Bible

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

American Standard Version

But 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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:20 delivers God's stark and sudden judgment upon the rich fool, whose life was consumed by material accumulation and self-indulgence. In this pivotal moment of the parable, God declares the man's immediate death, exposing the ultimate futility of his earthly provisions and challenging the listener to consider the true source of security and the eternal destiny of their soul. It serves as a profound warning against covetousness and a call to cultivate spiritual riches over temporal wealth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 12:20 is the climactic and sobering turning point in Jesus' 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"). This parable is delivered immediately after Jesus' direct warning against covetousness in [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness"), stating, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." The rich man in the parable, having enjoyed an exceptionally bountiful harvest, resolves to tear down his existing barns to build larger ones, planning a life of ease and self-gratification, without any thought for God or others. Verse 20 shatters his self-centered illusion, revealing the divine perspective on his life and priorities. The subsequent verse, [Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Rich Toward God"), provides Jesus' interpretive summary, contrasting being "rich toward himself" with being "rich toward God."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects an agrarian society where wealth was primarily measured in land, livestock, and harvests. Large barns were symbols of prosperity and security. For a landowner to have such an abundant harvest that his existing barns were insufficient was a sign of immense blessing, often attributed to divine favor. However, the man's response—to hoard his wealth exclusively for himself, without sharing or acknowledging God—would have been seen as a profound misuse of blessing. In Jewish thought, life was understood as a gift from God, and death was a divine appointment. The idea of a "soul being required" would resonate with the understanding that one's life breath (soul) ultimately belonged to God and could be reclaimed by Him at any moment, often implying a divine reckoning. The emphasis on earthly possessions as the sole source of security was contrary to the wisdom tradition that emphasized trust in God and generosity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It underscores **the folly of materialism**, demonstrating that life's true value does not consist in possessions, a theme Jesus reiterates throughout his ministry (e.g., [Luke 12:33-34](/luke/12-33-34 "Luke 12:33-34 - Treasure in Heaven")). It highlights **the brevity and uncertainty of life**, exposing the fragility of human plans in the face of divine sovereignty over life and death. The rich man planned for "many years" ([Luke 12:19](/luke/12-19 "Luke 12:19 - The Rich Fool's Plans")), only to face an immediate end. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the critical distinction between **true riches and earthly possessions**, prompting reflection on what truly holds eternal value. The man's wealth becomes meaningless at his death, setting up the contrast with being "rich toward God" ([Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Being Rich Toward God")). Finally, it powerfully asserts **God's sovereignty and judgment**, showing that He is the ultimate arbiter of life, death, and destiny, directly intervening in human affairs to bring about His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fool (Greek, _áphrōn'_):** This term (G878) is not merely an insult to intelligence but denotes a person who lacks wisdom, especially spiritual wisdom, and acts without proper consideration for God or eternal consequences. An _áphrōn_ is someone who is morally and spiritually senseless, disregarding divine truth and living an irrational life from God's perspective. The rich man's folly lies in his spiritual blindness and his failure to recognize God's ultimate ownership and his own mortality.
* **required (Greek, _apaitéō'_):** This verb (G523) means "to demand back" or "to ask again." It carries a powerful sense of an inescapable divine summons or an accounting. It implies that the soul is not owned by the individual but is a stewardship, given by God and subject to His recall at any moment. The passive voice ("shall be required") suggests an agent, which is God or His appointed messengers (e.g., angels of death), making the demand.
* **soul (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** In this context (G5590), _psychḗ_ refers to the life principle, the very essence of a person's life, their animating breath, and their individual existence. It is distinct from the body and, in this passage, is presented as something that can be "required" or taken away, emphasizing its divine origin and God's ultimate authority over it. The rich man's focus on his material possessions neglected the very thing that was truly his, yet not his to keep indefinitely.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But God said unto him, Thou fool,"**: This opening phrase introduces a dramatic shift in the narrative. The rich man's monologue of self-congratulation and future planning is abruptly interrupted by a direct, authoritative declaration from God. The address "Thou fool" is a divine judgment, not a mere insult, highlighting the man's profound spiritual ignorance and his irrational priorities from an eternal perspective. It underscores the severity of his self-centeredness and lack of foresight regarding his ultimate destiny.
* **"this night thy soul shall be required of thee:"**: This is the core of God's judgment. The phrase "this night" emphasizes the suddenness and immediacy of death, shattering the man's illusion of "many years" of ease. The "soul" (his very life and being) is not his to command but is a loan from God, now being "required" or "demanded back." This signifies God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, an inescapable divine summons that renders all earthly plans and possessions meaningless.
* **"then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"**: This rhetorical question exposes the ultimate futility and vanity of the rich man's life. All his careful planning, his labor, and his accumulated wealth—"those things which thou hast provided"—will instantly pass out of his control. He cannot take them with him beyond the grave. The question underscores the temporary nature of earthly possessions and forces the listener to confront the true value of what they are investing their lives in, especially in light of eternity.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:20 is rich with literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows the man's fate while he remains blissfully ignorant, planning for a future he will never see. God's sudden interjection creates a powerful moment of **Anagnorisis**, or recognition, for the audience, even if not for the rich man himself, revealing the true nature of his situation. The phrase "thy soul shall be required of thee" employs **Personification**, subtly portraying death or divine agents as entities that "demand" or "collect" the soul, emphasizing the active, unavoidable nature of this divine summons. The concluding query, "then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?", is a potent **Rhetorical Question**, designed not for an answer but to provoke deep self-reflection and highlight the absurdity of hoarding earthly wealth. Furthermore, the entire parable functions as an **Allegory**, where the rich man and his barns **Symbolize** the human tendency towards materialism and false security, while God's voice represents ultimate divine authority and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:20 serves as a stark theological declaration on the nature of human life, divine sovereignty, and the true meaning of wealth. It underscores the biblical truth that life is a stewardship, not a possession, and that its ultimate purpose transcends mere material accumulation. God's direct intervention highlights His absolute authority over life and death, reminding humanity of its finite nature and accountability. The verse challenges the idolatry of wealth, asserting that true security and lasting value are found not in what one possesses, but in one's relationship with God. It compels a re-evaluation of priorities, urging believers to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly gains are temporary and cannot be carried beyond the grave. This passage is a powerful call to spiritual wisdom over worldly folly, emphasizing the urgency of being "rich toward God."

* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Psalm 49:10-12](/psalms/49-10-12 "Psalm 49:10-12 - The Futility of Earthly Riches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:20 is a profoundly challenging and convicting verse for every generation, particularly in cultures that often equate success with material prosperity. It compels us to critically examine our deepest priorities and where we place our ultimate trust. Are we, like the rich fool, building bigger "barns"—whether physical possessions, financial portfolios, or even career achievements—with the illusion that these will guarantee our security, happiness, or future? This verse serves as a sobering reminder that life is fragile, its duration uncertain, and its end often unexpected. It calls us to shift our focus from self-centered accumulation to God-centered stewardship and generosity. True wisdom lies in recognizing our mortality and using the time and resources God has entrusted to us for His glory and the benefit of others, rather than hoarding them for selfish indulgence. It encourages us to cultivate an eternal perspective, making choices today that will yield lasting spiritual dividends and prioritizing our relationship with God above all earthly gains.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "barns" am I currently building in my life, and are they aligned with eternal values or merely temporal security?**
* **How does the suddenness of the rich man's death challenge my own assumptions about time and future planning?**
* **In what ways might I be "rich toward myself" but not "rich toward God"?**
* **If my soul were "required" tonight, what would be the true legacy of my life, and what would matter most?**
* **How can I better steward my resources—time, talent, and treasure—to reflect an eternal perspective and glorify God?**

### FAQ

**Why does God call the rich man a "fool"?**

Answer: God calls the rich man a "fool" (Greek: _áphrōn_) not because he lacks intellectual capacity, but because he lacks spiritual wisdom and foresight. His folly is evident in several ways: he failed to acknowledge God as the source of his blessings, he lived solely for himself without considering others or eternal realities, he mistakenly believed his life consisted in the abundance of his possessions, and he made elaborate plans for a future that was not his to guarantee. From God's perspective, his life choices were irrational and ultimately self-destructive, as they disregarded the most important truths about life, death, and eternity. His focus on earthly wealth blinded him to true, lasting riches.

**What does "this night thy soul shall be required of thee" mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies a divine summons or an inescapable demand for the rich man's life. It means that God, who is the giver of life, is reclaiming the man's soul (his very life and being) immediately, "this night." The passive voice "shall be required" implies that an agent (God or His messengers) is making this demand, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. It highlights the sudden, unavoidable, and non-negotiable nature of death, rendering all of the rich man's earthly plans and accumulated wealth utterly meaningless in an instant. It is a powerful reminder that life is a stewardship, not a permanent possession, and that our time is ultimately in God's hands.

**Is it wrong to be rich, according to this parable?**

Answer: The parable does not inherently condemn wealth itself, but rather the attitude of the heart towards wealth and the misuse of it. The rich man's sin was not that he was wealthy, but that he was covetous, self-centered, and spiritually blind. He hoarded his abundance for himself, failed to acknowledge God, and found his identity and security solely in his possessions, neglecting his relationship with God and his responsibility to others. Jesus' warning in [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness") is against "covetousness," and the parable's conclusion in [Luke 12:21](/luke/12-21 "Luke 12:21 - Being Rich Toward God") contrasts being "rich toward himself" with being "rich toward God." The problem is not having riches, but riches having you, and failing to use them in a way that honors God and serves His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Parable of the Rich Fool, culminating in God's declaration in [Luke 12:20](/luke/12-20 "Luke 12:20 - The Rich Fool's Judgment"), finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. The rich fool sought security and satisfaction in earthly abundance, but Christ teaches that true life and lasting treasure are found in Him and His kingdom. Jesus himself lived a life of humility and poverty, famously stating that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), demonstrating that true riches are not material. He consistently called His followers to a radical reorientation of values, urging them to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), promising that all other necessary things would be added. The rich fool's soul was "required" of him, leading to emptiness, but Christ offers eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death, offering a security that no earthly wealth can provide. He is the ultimate "treasure in heaven" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), the one in whom all true riches are found, providing a stark contrast to the fleeting, perishable wealth that consumed the fool. Our ultimate fulfillment is not in what we gather for ourselves, but in the one who gave Himself for us, inviting us to invest our lives in Him and His eternal purposes.

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

Job 27:8

For what [is] the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Jeremiah 17:11

[As] the partridge sitteth [on eggs], and hatcheth [them] not; [so] he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.

Psalms 39:6

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Job 27:16

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

Job 27:17

He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.