For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

LUKE 19:21KJV
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Luke 19:21 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:21 mean?

Luke 19:21 records a servant explaining to his master that he was afraid and did nothing with the money entrusted to him, because he saw the master as a harsh man who takes what he did not put in and reaps what he did not sow. The verse shows the servant’s fear and his view of the master as demanding and strict, which led him to do nothing rather than risk failure.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, the servant is speaking to the master (who represents someone in authority) after being called to account for how he handled what was given to him. The servant’s words reveal both his fear and his justification for not acting, setting up a contrast with other servants who used what they were given. The verse highlights the servant’s perception of the master’s character and how that perception shaped his actions—or lack of action.

The Greek behind Luke 19:21

  • The word "austere" comes from the Greek ἀυστηρός (austēros), which means harsh, strict, or severe. This word emphasizes how the servant viewed the master as someone hard to please or demanding.
  • The verb "feared" is from φοβέω (phobeō), meaning to be afraid or to fear. The servant’s fear is presented as the main reason for his inaction.
  • The phrase "takest up that thou layedst not down" uses αἴρω (airō, "take up") and τίθημι (tithēmi, "lay down"), suggesting the master is seen as benefiting from things he did not personally invest in.
  • "Reapest that thou didst not sow" uses θερίζω (therizō, "reap") and σπείρω (speirō, "sow"), reinforcing the idea that the master is thought to gain from others’ work.

Why Luke 19:21 matters

  • Luke 19:21 clarifies that the servant’s failure was not due to lack of opportunity, but because of his fearful and negative view of the master.
  • The verse highlights a key theme in the parable: how one’s perception of authority and responsibility shapes their actions.
  • This explanation sets up the master’s response in the following verses, making clear why the servant’s excuse is not accepted and how it contrasts with the actions of the other servants.

Where else these words appear

“austere” Greek G840 · used in 2 verses

  • 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:

“reapest” Greek G2325 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 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?
  • John 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
  • Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

“didst” Greek G4687 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 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?
  • Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
  • 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:

“art” Greek G1488 · used in 89 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Luke 4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
  • John 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.