Luke Chapter 12 · Verse 16
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Original Language Analysis
παραβολὴν
a parable
G3850
παραβολὴν
a parable
Strong's:
G3850
Word #:
3 of 12
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 12
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Psalms 73:12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.Psalms 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Job 12:6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.Hosea 2:8For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
Historical Context
First-century Palestine was primarily agrarian, with wealth measured in land ownership and crop yields. Good harvests were unpredictable, dependent on rainfall, soil quality, and absence of locust plagues. A bumper crop was considered divine blessing and could dramatically increase a farmer's wealth. However, storage was limited—grain spoiled if not properly kept. The cultural expectation was that the wealthy would share abundance with the community through hospitality, employment, and charity. The rich man's solitary focus on self-preservation violates covenant expectations of generosity toward the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing material abundance as God's gift rather than personal achievement change your response to blessing?
- In what ways do prosperity and success pose spiritual dangers that poverty does not?
- When has abundance tempted you toward self-sufficiency rather than dependence on God and generosity toward others?
Analysis & Commentary
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully (Εἶπεν δὲ παραβολὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς λέγων· Ἀνθρώπου τινὸς πλουσίου εὐφόρησεν ἡ χώρα). Jesus introduces the Parable of the Rich Fool in response to a request for arbitration over inheritance (v. 13), redirecting from legal disputes to eternal priorities. The term parabole (παραβολή, parable) means a comparison or illustration that conveys spiritual truth through earthly story.
The phrase a certain rich man (anthropou tinos plousiou, ἀνθρώπου τινός πλουσίου) describes someone already wealthy—his problem is not poverty but prosperity. The verb euphoresen (εὐφόρησεν, brought forth plentifully) combines eu (well, good) and phero (to bear, bring forth), indicating exceptional agricultural abundance. This was blessing from God (Deuteronomy 28:11-12), yet the man's response reveals his spiritual bankruptcy. The ground (chora, χώρα) brought forth—passive voice emphasizing that fertility comes from God, not human effort. The rich man did not create this abundance; he merely received it.