Luke 19:22
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Original Language Analysis
λέγει
he saith
G3004
λέγει
he saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
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
Ἐκ
Out of
G1537
Ἐκ
Out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόματός
mouth
G4750
στόματός
mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
6 of 26
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
πονηρὲ
thou wicked
G4190
πονηρὲ
thou wicked
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
10 of 26
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
δοῦλε
servant
G1401
δοῦλε
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
11 of 26
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ᾔδεις
Thou knewest
G1492
ᾔδεις
Thou knewest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
13 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐστηρός
an austere
G840
αὐστηρός
an austere
Strong's:
G840
Word #:
16 of 26
rough (properly as a gale), i.e., (figuratively) severe
αἴρων
taking up
G142
αἴρων
taking up
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
18 of 26
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
19 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔθηκα
I laid
G5087
ἔθηκα
I laid
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
21 of 26
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
24 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
2 Samuel 1:16And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD'S anointed.Matthew 22:12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.Matthew 12:37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Historical Context
The phrase 'out of thine own mouth' echoes Old Testament judgment language (Job 15:6). In rabbinic practice, self-incriminating testimony was decisive. The servant convicted himself by his own stated logic: harsh masters demand productivity, yet he produced nothing. His theology and behavior contradicted each other, proving his excuse was merely rationalization for laziness. This principle appears throughout Scripture: people are judged by their own words (Matthew 12:37).
Questions for Reflection
- How do your excuses for unfruitfulness ('I'm too busy,' 'I lack gifts,' 'God doesn't expect much') reveal wrong views of God?
- What does calling the servant 'wicked' (not merely 'lazy' or 'mistaken') teach about God's evaluation of fruitless profession?
- How should the certainty of giving account motivate present diligence in kingdom stewardship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant (Ἐκ τοῦ στόματός σου κρινῶ σε, πονηρὲ δοῦλε, Ek tou stomatos sou krinō se, ponēre doule)—the master uses the servant's own logic to condemn him. Ponēros (wicked, evil) contrasts sharply with agathos (good) in verse 17. His evil wasn't theft or violence but faithless inaction rooted in misrepresenting his master. Thou knewest that I was an austere man—the master doesn't affirm the accusation but argues ad hominem: even if true, it would demand more diligence, not less.
This devastating logic: 'If you truly believed I was harsh and exacting, you should have worked harder, not hidden my money in a napkin!' The servant's excuse becomes his condemnation. His inaction proved he didn't actually fear his master—if he had, he would have done something. This exposes the lie: he was lazy and indifferent, not fearful and paralyzed. Judgment will reveal self-serving excuses for what they are.