Luke 12:15
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.
Luke 12:15 in other translations
| BSB | And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” |
|---|---|
| WEB | He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” |
| ASV | And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. |
| YLT | And he said unto them, ‘Observe, and beware of the covetousness, because not in the abundance of one's goods is his life.' |
| DARBY | And he said to them, Take heed and keep yourselves from all covetousness, for it is not because a man is in abundance that his life is in his possessions. |
| BBE | And he said to them, Take care to keep yourselves free from the desire for property; for a man's life is not made up of the number of things which he has. |
| Webster | And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. |
What does Luke 12:15 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Covetousness. An unlawful desire of the property of another; also a desire of gain or riches beyond what is necessary for our wants. It is a violation of the tenth commandment (Ex 20:17), and is expressly called idolatry (Col 3:5). Compare, also, Eph 5:3, Heb 13:5.
A man's life. The word life is sometimes taken in the sense of happiness or felicity, and some have supposed this to be the meaning here, and that Jesus meant to say that a man's comfort does not depend on affluence--that is, on more than is necessary for his daily wants; but this meaning does not suit the parable following, which is designed to show that property will not lengthen out a man's life, and therefore is not too ardently to be sought, and is of little value. The word life, therefore, is to be taken literally.
Consisteth not. Rather, dependeth not on his possessions. His possessions will not prolong it. The passage, then, means: Be not anxious about obtaining wealth, for, however much you may obtain, it will not prolong your life. That depends on the will of God, and it requires something besides wealth to make us ready to meet him. This sentiment he proceeds to illustrate by a beautiful parable.
(o) "Take heed" 1Timm 6:7-10 (p) "life consisteth" Job 2:4, Mt 6:25
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 12:13-21
Christ's kingdom is spiritual, and not of this world. Christianity does not meddle with politics; it obliges all to do justly, but wordly dominion is not founded in grace. It does not encourage expectations of worldly advantages by religion. The rewards of Christ's disciples are of another nature. Covetousness is a sin we need constantly to be warned against; for happiness and comfort do not depend on the wealth of…
Luke 12:15 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Luke 12:15
- Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. …
- Psalms 119:36-37
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
- Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
- Proverbs 15:16
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
- Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
- Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10-16
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. …
- 2 Timothy 3:2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
- Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
- Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
- Psalms 62:10
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:14; 16:14; 21:34; Jos 7:21; Job 31:24,25; Ps 10:3; 62:10; 119:36,37
Pr 23:4,5; 28:16; Jer 6:13; 22:17,18; Mic 2:2; Hab 2:9; Mr 7:22
1Co 5:10,11; 6:10; Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5; 1Ti 6:7-10; 2Ti 3:2; Heb 13:5
2Pe 2:3,14
for.
Job 2:4; Ps 37:16; Pr 15:16; 16:16; Ec 4:6-8; 5:10-16; Mt 6:25,26
1Ti 6:6-8
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Luke 12:14
And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
- Luke 12:15
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.
- Luke 12:16
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luke 12:15 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y díjoles: Mirad, y guardaos de toda avaricia; porque la vida del hombre no consiste en la abundancia de los bienes que posee. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et il leur dit: Voyez, et gardez-vous de toute avarice; car encore que quelqu’un soit riche, sa vie n’est pas dans ses biens. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Er sprach aber zu ihnen: Sehet zu und hütet euch vor aller Habsucht, denn nicht weil jemand Überfluß hat, besteht sein Leben von seiner Habe. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Dixitque ad illos: Videte, et cavete ab omni avaritia: quia non in abundantia cujusquam vita ejus est ex his quæ possidet. |