King James Bible
"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:"
Jesus introduces a teaching story to his audience, likely in response to the inheritance dispute mentioned in the preceding verses. Parables were Jesus' preferred method for conveying spiritual truths through familiar, everyday scenarios. The protagonist is already wealthy before the story begins, establishing that this is not about poverty versus provision. The passive construction 'the ground' emphasizes that the abundance comes from the land itself, not the man's effort or virtue. An exceptional harvest creates a surplus beyond normal expectations, setting up a test of character. This detail introduces the central tension: how will someone who already has much respond to receiving even more?