Luke 12:13-21 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Parable of the Rich Fool. Lk. only.

Luke 12:13. The crowd of Luke 12:1 reappears here.

Luke 12:14. Jesus declines to usurp the functions of the civil judge.

Luke 12:15 is an editorial link between the incident (in which there is no allusion to covetousness, unless indeed that term be taken to cover the claiming of one's rights) and the parable. Tr. a man's life is not part of his possessions because he has ample wealth (Moffatt).

Luke 12:20. this night: apparently just when he has carried his plans through. thy soul (or life) is required: lit. they demand thy soul; they, possibly the man's wronged and oppressed labourers, probably the angels of death.

Luke 12:21. rich towards God: i.e. gaining the riches of God, laying up treasure in heaven, cf. Luke 12:33 f.

Related Commentaries of Luke 12:13

Luke 12:13-21

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him,Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them,Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying,The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

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

18 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.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

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

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