A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 19:21

"for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow." — Luke 19:21 (ASV)

I feared (εφοβουμην). Imperfect middle, I continued to fear.

Austere (αυστηρος). Old Greek word from αυω, to dry up. Reproduced in Latin austeros and English austere. It means rough to the taste, stringent. Here only in the N.T. Compare σκληρος (hard) in Mt 25:24. "Harsh in flavour, then in disposition" (Bruce).

Thou layedst not down (ουκ εθηκας). Probably a proverb for a grasping profiteer.