A parable about caring for worldly goods after a man asks him to win his inheritance.
Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
Luke 12:17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
And he argued within himself saying, "What will I do because I don't have anywhere I will gather these fruits of mine?
There is no permanent storage place for what we accumulated in this world.
The word translated as "thought" means primarily to "balance account" but Jesus uses it in its secondary meaning, "to argue" or "dispute". It is the root word for our word "dialogue" meaning "two ideas". Its root word is the Greek word logos that means "idea" or "concep" that is usually translated as "word" in the NT. More about the meaning of logos word in this article.
The word translated as "room where" and "place" is in a form that means "anywhere" or "somewhere." "Anywhere" work perfectly so why add more that Jesus didn't say?"
The Greek word translated as "to bestow" means "to store" doesn't mean those things. It is usually translated as "gather." It is an active verb in the future tense, "I will gather."
The word translated as "fruits" means "fruits" so there is no reason for the NIV to change it to crops, which is a different Greek word.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "thought" should be something more like "debated."
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "room" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form -This is not an infinitive, but an active verb.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb "bestow" is the future tense, which requires a "will" before the verb.
- CW --Confusing Word - -- This word doesn't mean "bestow" as we use it today to mean "give."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these" before "fruits" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "thought" should be something more like "debated."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "saying" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "because" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "place" should be something more like "anywhere."
- WF -- Wrong Form -This is not an infinitive, but an active verb.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb "bestow" is the future tense, which requires a "will" before the verb.
- CW --Confusing Word - -- This word doesn't mean "store."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these" before "crops" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "crops."
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
thought - (WW) "Thought" is from a Greek verb that means "to calculate exactly," "to add up account," "to debate," and "to argue." The verb is from a root that means "two ideas" or "two messages." (WW) This word doesn't mean "thought."
within -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
himself,- The word translated as "him" or "to him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
saying, - The word translated as "saying" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." The form is a participle, as translated.
What -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do, -- The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.
because -- The word translated as "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.
no --(WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
room -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
where -- The word translated as "where" means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb, it means "somewhere," "anywhere," and "perhaps." Jesus always seems to use it as "where."
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb.
missing "will" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "will," is needed to show the future tense of the verb.
bestow --(CW) The Greek word translated as "bestow" means "to bring together," "gather together," "unite," and "reconcile." It has many different uses, but it does not specifically mean gathering in the crops, but Jesus most often uses this word to mean bringing in a crop and bringing people together. This word doesn't mean "bestow" as we use it today to mean "give."
missing "these"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my," "me," and "mine." Usually follows the noun so, "of mine."
fruits? -- The word translated as "fruit" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
He -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
thought - (WW) "Thought" is from a Greek verb that means "to calculate exactly," "to add up account," "to debate," and "to argue." The verb is from a root that means "two ideas" or "two messages." (WW) This word doesn't mean "thought."
to -- The word translated as "to" means "in," "within," "with" (an instrument), "by" (near), "by" (means of), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time," "in the time," "within," and "in." With the direct object form, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near." While "to" in the wrong word, the problems is the earlier translation of "thought" which we uses with "to."
himself,- The word translated as "him" or "to him" is the Greek adjective that acts like our third-person, indirect object pronoun.
, missing "saying" -- (MW) The untranslated word - "saying" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak," but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of." It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself." The form is a participle, as translated.
What -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
do, -- The Greek word translated as "do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action. In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.
missing "because" -- (MW) The untranslated word "because" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what," "because," "since," "seeing that," "that," and "wherefore." Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for."
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses.
no --(WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
place -- (WW) The word translated as "place" means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb, it means "somewhere," "anywhere," and "perhaps." This word doesn't mean "place."
I have no place to store my crops.’
to -- (WF) This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb. This is not an infinitive, but an active verb.
missing "will" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "will," is needed to show the future tense of the verb.
store --(CW) The Greek word translated as "store " means "to bring together," "gather together," "unite," and "reconcile." It has many different uses, but it does not specifically mean gathering in the crops, but Jesus most often uses this word to mean bringing in a crop and bringing people together. This word doesn't mean "store."
missing "these"-- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my," "me," and "mine." Usually follows the noun so, "of mine."
crops? -- The word translated as "crops" primary meaning is "fruit," "seed," or "offspring," but its secondary meaning is "returns," specifically, "profit," as we would say "fruit of our labors." This is not the word usually translated as "crops."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
διελογίζετο [7 verses] (verb 3rd sg imperf ind mp) "Thought" is dialogizomai, which means "to calculate exactly," "to add up account," "to debate," and "to argue."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
αὐτῷ [106 verses](pron/adj sg masc/neut dat) "Himself" is is auto, the dative case of the third-person, singular adjective that is used as a pronoun. The word also means "the same,""one's true self," and "the soul" as opposed to the body. It also means "of one's own accord." The form is the third person, plural as an indirect object of the verb or the object of a preposition. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same."A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."-
λέγων [264 verses] (part sg pres act masc nom) "Saying" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. When two accusative objects are used, the sense is "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell." -
Τί [252 verses] (irreg sg neut nom) ) "What" is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
ποιήσω, [168 verses] (verb 1st sg fut ind act) "Shall I do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with." With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into."
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "for" is hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that," "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what," "because," "since," and "wherefore." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.
οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
ἔχω [181 verses] (verb 1st sg pres ind act) "Have"is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. The main sense when not having an object is "to hold" and "to keep." When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "it could," not "in must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives.
ποῦ [12 verses] (pron or adv) "Wither" is pou, which means as a pronoun "where?", "at what point," and [of manner] "how." As an adverb. it means "somewhere", "anywhere", "doubtless," and "perhaps." The forms are the same.
συνάξω [20 verses]( verb 1st sg fut ind act) "To bestow"is synago, which means "bring together," "gather together," "pit [two warriors against each other]," "join in one," "unite," "make friends of," "lead with one," "receive," "reconcile," "draw together," "narrow," "contract," "conclude [from premises]," " infer," and "prove."
τοὺς[821 verses](article pl masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --
καρπούς [32 verses] (noun pl masc acc) "Fruit" is karpos, which means "fruit," "the fruits of the earth," "seed," "offspring," "returns for profit," and "reward."
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me," and "mine." It is in a possessive (genitive) form. As a genitive of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.