Luke 19:21

KJV

For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I feared {G5399} thee {G4571}, because {G3754} thou art {G1488} an austere {G840} man {G444}: thou takest up {G142} that {G3739} thou layedst {G5087} not {G3756} down {G5087}, and {G2532} reapest {G2325} that {G3739} thou didst {G4687} not {G3756} sow {G4687}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because I was afraid of you — you take out what you didn’t put in, and you harvest what you didn’t plant.’

Berean Standard Bible

For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’

American Standard Version

for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:21 presents the third servant's fearful and distorted justification for his inaction in the Parable of the Minas. He confesses his fear of the master, whom he perceives as "austere"—a harsh and exploitative figure who demands returns from investments he did not personally initiate or contribute to. This verse encapsulates a profound misunderstanding of the master's character and the nature of stewardship, revealing how a flawed perception of authority can lead to paralysis and unfruitfulness, ultimately resulting in condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the [Parable of the Minas](/luke/19-11-27 "Luke 19:11-27 - The Parable of the Minas"), which Jesus tells as He approaches Jerusalem, immediately following His redemptive encounter with Zacchaeus. The parable itself is prompted by the disciples' expectation that the Kingdom of God was about to appear immediately ([Luke 19:11](/luke/19-11 "Luke 19:11 - The Disciples' Expectation")). The nobleman in the story represents Jesus, who departs to receive a kingdom and then returns to settle accounts with his servants. The first two servants demonstrate faithful stewardship and are rewarded, setting a stark contrast for the third servant's failure. His excuse in [Luke 19:21](/luke/19-21 "Luke 19:21 - The Unprofitable Servant's Excuse") directly precedes the master's severe rebuke and the subsequent judgment against him ([Luke 19:22-26](/luke/19-22-26 "Luke 19:22-26 - The Master's Judgment")). This parable finds a significant parallel in the [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents") in Matthew's Gospel, reinforcing its core message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of the parable reflects common practices in the ancient world where wealthy landowners or noblemen would entrust their assets to servants or managers while they were away, expecting a return on their investment. The "mina" (or "pound") was a unit of currency, equivalent to about three months' wages for a common laborer, representing a significant sum. The idea of a nobleman traveling to receive a kingdom was also culturally relevant, as client kings in the Roman Empire often had to journey to Rome to have their rule confirmed by the emperor. The servant's accusation of the master being "austere" and profiting where he did not sow taps into a common perception of exploitative landlords or rulers, but in the context of the parable, it serves to highlight the servant's own misjudgment and fear rather than an accurate depiction of the master's character.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Stewardship and Accountability**, emphasizing that believers are entrusted with God's resources, gifts, and opportunities, and will be held accountable for how they manage them. The servant's fear and inaction highlight the danger of **Misunderstanding God's Character**, as a distorted view of God can lead to spiritual paralysis and unfruitfulness, preventing individuals from engaging in the active service He expects. This verse also speaks to the theme of **Faithful Service vs. Fearful Inaction**, demonstrating that genuine faith is characterized by diligent effort and risk-taking for the Kingdom, not by a desire to merely preserve what has been given. Finally, it foreshadows the **Consequences of Unfruitfulness**, where those who fail to utilize their entrusted resources for God's glory face severe judgment, as seen in the master's response in [Luke 19:22-26](/luke/19-22-26 "Luke 19:22-26 - The Unprofitable Servant's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **feared (Greek, _phobéō'_):** This word, from which we get "phobia," means "to frighten" or, in the passive voice as here, "to be alarmed." By analogy, it can also mean "to be in awe of" or "revere." In this context, the servant's fear is not a reverent awe leading to obedience, but a paralyzing dread stemming from a misperception of the master's character. It is a fear that leads to inaction and self-preservation rather than faithful service.
* **austere (Greek, _austērós'_):** Derived from a word meaning "blown" (as a rough gale), this term literally means "rough" and figuratively "severe" or "harsh." The servant uses this word to describe his master, portraying him as unyielding, strict, and demanding, someone who would unjustly take what was not his own. This perception is the root cause of the servant's fear and subsequent failure to invest the mina.
* **takest up (Greek, _aírō'_):** This primary root word means "to lift up," and by implication, "to take up or away." It can also mean "to remove" or "to bear." In the servant's accusation, it is used to describe the master's supposed act of unjustly collecting or profiting from something he did not contribute to. This verb, paired with "reapest," forms the core of the servant's charge of exploitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I feared thee,"**: The servant begins his explanation by stating the primary reason for his inaction: fear. This fear is not a healthy respect for authority but a crippling dread rooted in a negative perception of his master's character. It is a self-justifying fear that excuses his lack of effort.
* **"because thou art an austere man:"**: This clause elaborates on the nature of the servant's fear. He characterizes his master as "austere," meaning harsh, severe, or strict. This reveals the servant's distorted view of his master, portraying him as someone who is unreasonably demanding and lacks compassion, rather than a just and generous lord.
* **"thou takest up that thou layedst not down,"**: This is the first part of a proverbial accusation. The servant claims the master profits from ventures he did not initiate. "Laying down" refers to depositing or investing capital. The servant suggests the master unfairly reaps where he has not sown, implying exploitation.
* **"and reapest that thou didst not sow."**: This second part of the proverbial accusation reinforces the first, using agricultural imagery. "Reaping" is harvesting, and "sowing" is planting. The servant accuses the master of expecting a harvest (profit) without having done the work of planting (investing or contributing). This statement is the servant's ultimate justification for his idleness, painting the master as an unjust profiteer.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:21 employs several key literary devices. The most prominent is **Proverbial Expression**, specifically in the servant's accusation: "thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow." This is a common ancient idiom used to describe someone who profits unfairly or exploits others' labor without contributing their own. The use of this idiom by the servant highlights his perception of the master as an unjust exploiter. There is also significant **Characterization** at play. The servant's words reveal his own character—fearful, lazy, and prone to blame—while simultaneously providing a distorted characterization of the master. This distorted view is crucial to the parable's message, as it underscores the servant's fundamental misunderstanding of his master's true nature and expectations. Finally, there is a subtle **Irony** in the servant's statement. While the master is indeed demanding, his demands are for faithful stewardship and productivity, not for unjust gain. The servant's fear of an "austere" master leads him to inaction, which ironically results in the very loss and condemnation he sought to avoid by playing it safe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:21 profoundly challenges our understanding of God's character and our responsibility as His stewards. The servant's paralyzing fear stemmed from a misrepresentation of his master as "austere" and exploitative, mirroring how a distorted view of God can hinder spiritual growth and faithful service. Theologically, this verse reminds us that God, our ultimate Master, is not a harsh taskmaster who demands what He has not first given, but a generous Giver who entrusts us with gifts, talents, and opportunities, expecting a return on His investment. His expectation of fruitfulness is not arbitrary but flows from His nature as a God who desires us to participate actively in His kingdom work. Our response to His generosity and trust, rather than fear, should be diligent and loving stewardship, recognizing that everything we possess is ultimately His.

* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewardship of God's Grace")
* [2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Discipline")
* [Matthew 25:24-25](/matthew/25-24-25 "Matthew 25:24-25 - The Unprofitable Servant's Excuse in the Parable of the Talents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:21 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to honestly examine our own perception of God and the motivations behind our actions (or inactions) in His service. Do we view God as a harsh, demanding figure who is difficult to please, or as a loving, generous Father who has graciously entrusted us with gifts and calls us to fruitful partnership? The servant's fear led to paralysis, preventing him from taking any risk or exercising diligence with the entrusted mina. This highlights a critical spiritual danger: when fear, rather than faith and love, dictates our spiritual endeavors, we become stagnant, burying the very gifts God intends for us to multiply. True faith is not a passive preservation of what we have but an active, courageous investment of our time, talents, and resources for the advancement of God's kingdom. We are called to cultivate a spirit of joyful stewardship, leveraging every opportunity to honor Him and bless others, rather than being crippled by a distorted view of His character or a fear of failure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is my deepest perception of God's character? Do I see Him as "austere" or as loving and generous?**
* **In what areas of my life might fear be preventing me from taking faithful risks or diligently using the gifts God has given me?**
* **How am I actively stewarding the resources (time, talents, finances, relationships) God has entrusted to me for His kingdom purposes?**
* **What practical steps can I take to overcome spiritual paralysis and embrace a more active, fruitful role in God's work?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that the master is "austere"?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "austere" (αὐστηρός, _austērós_) means harsh, severe, or strict. In the context of Luke 19:21, the servant uses it to describe his master as someone who is unreasonably demanding, expecting returns or profits from investments he did not personally make. This is the servant's subjective and flawed perception, used to justify his own inaction. The master's subsequent response in [Luke 19:22-26](/luke/19-22-26 "Luke 19:22-26 - The Master's Judgment") reveals that while he is indeed demanding, his demands are for faithful stewardship and accountability, not for unjust gain. The servant's fear and misjudgment of his master's character led him to believe the master was exploitative, rather than simply expecting responsible management of entrusted resources.

**Why did the servant accuse the master of taking up what he didn't lay down and reaping what he didn't sow?**

Answer: This is a proverbial expression that means to profit from others' labor or investment without contributing one's own. The servant uses this accusation to justify his decision to bury the mina instead of investing it. He views his master as an unjust opportunist who would demand an unfair return. This reveals the servant's profound misunderstanding of the master's expectations. The master had *entrusted* the mina to the servant precisely so the servant could invest it and generate a return. The master's expectation was not that he would personally "sow" or "lay down" new capital, but that his servants would faithfully manage and grow what had already been given to them. The servant's accusation reflects his own laziness and fear, projecting his own unwillingness to work onto the master as an excuse for his unfruitfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:21, while spoken by a servant with a distorted view of his master, points us to the true character of our ultimate Master, Jesus Christ. The servant's fear of an "austere" lord who reaps where he has not sown stands in stark contrast to the reality of Christ. Jesus, our King, did not merely "lay down" capital; He laid down His very life, sowing the ultimate seed of redemption through His sacrifice on the cross ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat")). He is the one who truly sowed, not only through His earthly ministry of teaching and healing but supremely through His atoning work, from which He now justly "reaps" a harvest of souls and transformed lives ([John 4:35-38](/john/4-35-38 "John 4:35-38 - The Harvest is Plentiful")). His "demands" are not exploitative but flow from His perfect love and His desire for our flourishing and participation in His kingdom. He entrusts us with spiritual gifts, talents, and opportunities, not out of a need for gain, but to enable us to bear fruit for His glory ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ to Bear Fruit")). The parable's judgment on the unprofitable servant serves as a sober reminder that our stewardship of God's grace and resources is a serious matter, and our response to Christ's call to service should be one of faithful obedience rooted in love, not paralyzing fear of an "austere" God, for He has given us "a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" ([2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")). Ultimately, Christ's return will be a time of accounting, where those who have faithfully invested what He has given will enter into His joy, while those who have buried their gifts out of fear will face His just judgment ([Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant")).

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

Matthew 25:24

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Matthew 25:25

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Job 21:15

What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

1 Samuel 12:20

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

2 Samuel 6:9

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

2 Samuel 6:11

And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.