Luke 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A steward - Οικονομος, from οικος, a house, or οικια, a family, and νεμω, I administer; one who superintends domestic concerns, and ministers to the support of the family, having the products of the field, business, etc., put into his hands for this very purpose. See on Luk 8:3 (note). There is a parable very like this in Rab. Dav. Kimchi's comment on Isaiah, Isa 40:21 : "The whole world may be considered as a house builded up: heaven is its roof; the stars its lamps; and the fruits of the earth, the table spread. The owner and builder of this house is the holy blessed God; and man is the steward, into whose hands all the business of the house is committed. If he considers in his heart that the master of the house is always over him, and keeps his eye upon his work; and if, in consequence, he act wisely, he shall find favor in the eyes of the master of the house: but if the master find wickedness in him, he will remove him, מן יפקדתו min pakidato, from his Stewardship. The foolish steward doth not think of this: for as his eyes do not see the master of the house, he saith in his heart, 'I will eat and drink what I find in this house, and will take my pleasure in it; nor shall I be careful whether there be a Lord over this house or not.' When the Lord of the house marks this, he will come and expel him from the house, speedily and with great anger. Therefore it is written, He bringeth the princes to nothing." As is usual, our Lord has greatly improved this parable, and made it in every circumstance more striking and impressive. Both in the Jewish and Christian edition, it has great beauties. Wasted his goods - Had been profuse and profligate; and had embezzled his master's substance.
Open source ↗PARABLES OF THE UNJUST STEWARD AND OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS, OR, THE RIGHT USE OF MONEY. (Luke 16:1-31) steward--manager of his estate. accused--informed upon. had wasted--rather, "was wasting."
Open source ↗And he said also to his disciples,.... The Syriac version adds, "a parable", as the following is; and which is directed to the disciples, as those in the preceding chapter are to the Pharisees; and who also are designed in this; though it is particularly spoken to the disciples, because it might be of some use to them, with respect, to the stewardship they were in. The Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "Jesus", or "the Lord Jesus said": and which is to be understood, though not expressed; for the parable was delivered by him, and is as follows: there was a certain rich man: by whom God is meant, who is rich in the perfections of his nature, in the works of his hands, in his government, and the administration of it, in providential goodness, and in the large revenues of glory due to him from his creatures; for all temporal riches are from him; and so are all the riches of mercy, grace, and glory: which had a steward; by whom is designed, not all mankind; for though all men are, in a sense, stewards under God, and are entrusted with the good things of life, the gifts of nature, endowments of mind, health, strength of body, time, &c. yet all cannot be meant, because some are distinguished from this steward, Luk 16:5 nor are the disciples intended, though the parable is directed to them; and they were stewards of the mysteries and manifold grace of God; and one among them was an unfaithful one, and was turned out of his stewardship; but the character of an unjust man will not suit with them: and besides, this steward was of the children of this world, Luk 16:8 but the Pharisees are meant: for these are taken notice of as gravelled at this parable, Luk 16:14 and to them agrees the character of the men of this world, who were worldly wise men; as also that of a steward; thes…
Open source ↗We mistake if we imagine that the design of Christ's doctrine and holy religion was either to amuse us with notions of divine mysteries or to entertain us with notions of divine mercies. No, the divine revelation of both these in the gospel is intended to engage and quicken us to the practice of Christian duties, and, as much as any one thing, to the duty of beneficence and doing good to those who stand in need of any thing that either we have or can do for them. This our Saviour is here pressing us to, by reminding us that we are but stewards of the manifold grace of God; and since we have in divers instances been unfaithful, and have forfeited the favour of our Lord, it is our wisdom to think how we may, some other way, make what we have in the world turn to a good account. Parables must not be forced beyond their primary intention, and therefore we must not hence infer that any one can befriend us if we lie under the displeasure of our Lord, but that, in the general, we must so lay out what we have in works of piety and charity as that we may meet it again with comfort on the other side death and the grave. If we would act wisely, we must be diligent and industrious to employ our riches in the acts of piety and charity, in order to promote our future and eternal welfare, as worldly men are in laying them out to the greatest temporal profit, in making to themselves friends with them, and securing other secular interests. So Dr. Clarke. Now let us consider, I. The parable itself, in which all the children of men are represented as stewards of what they have in this world, and we are but stewards. Whatever we have, the property of it is God's; we have only the use of it, and that according to the direction of our great Lord, and for his honour. Rabbi Kimchi, quoted by D…
Open source ↗16:1 a certain rich man who had a manager: Wealthy landowners commonly put managers over their estates.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object πλούσιος (ploúsios, G4145) — wealthy; figuratively, abounding with ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οἰκονόμος (oikonómos, G3623) — a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by… οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… φωνέω (phōnéō, G5455) — to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi, G591) — to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… οἰκονομία (oikonomía, G3622) — administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy" γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οἰκονόμος (oikonómos, G3623) — a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀφαιρέω (aphairéō, G851) — to remove (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me οἰκονομία (oikonomía, G3622) — administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy"
Open source ↗γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… μεθίστημι (methístēmi, G3179) — to transfer, i.e. carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce οἰκονομία (oikonomía, G3622) — administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy" δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) μέ (mé, G3165) — me εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… οἶκος (oîkos, G3624) — a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσκαλέομαι (proskaléomai, G4341) — to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… χρεωφειλέτης (chreōpheilétēs, G5533) — a loan-ower, i.e. indebted person λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) πόσος (pósos, G4214) — interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many) ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἑκατόν (hekatón, G1540) — a hundred βάτος (bátos, G943) — a bath, or measure for liquids ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy γράμμα (grámma, G1121) — a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning καθίζω (kathízō, G2523) — to seat down, i.e. set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down);… ταχέως (tachéōs, G5030) — briefly, i.e. (in time) speedily, or (in manner) rapidly γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe πεντήκοντα (pentḗkonta, G4004) — fifty
Open source ↗ἔπειτα (épeita, G1899) — thereafter ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πόσος (pósos, G4214) — interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many) ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… σύ (sý, G4771) — thou ἑκατόν (hekatón, G1540) — a hundred κόρος (kóros, G2884) — a cor, i.e. a specific measure σῖτος (sîtos, G4621) — grain, especially wheat καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἐπαινέω (epainéō, G1867) — to applaud ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… οἰκονόμος (oikonómos, G3623) — a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) φρονίμως (phronímōs, G5430) — prudently υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other…
Open source ↗κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μαμμωνᾶς (mammōnâs, G3126) — mammonas, i.e. avarice (deified) ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… ἐκλείπω (ekleípō, G1587) — to omit, i.e. (by implication) cease (die) δέχομαι (déchomai, G1209) — to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
Open source ↗πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐλάχιστος (eláchistos, G1646) — used as equivalent to G3398 (μικρός); least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ἄδικος (ádikos, G94) — unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen
Open source ↗εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἄδικος (ádikos, G94) — unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen μαμμωνᾶς (mammōnâs, G3126) — mammonas, i.e. avarice (deified) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἀληθινός (alēthinós, G228) — truthful
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀλλότριος (allótrios, G245) — another's, i.e. not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ὑμέτερος (hyméteros, G5212) — yours, i.e. pertaining to you
Open source ↗οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing οἰκέτης (oikétēs, G3610) — a fellow resident, i.e. menial domestic δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible δουλεύω (douleúō, G1398) — to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary) δύο (dýo, G1417) — "two" κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than μισέω (miséō, G3404) — to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ἕτερος (héteros, G2087) — (an-, the) other or different ἀντέχομαι (antéchomai, G472) — to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑπάρχω (hypárchō, G5225) — to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively,… φιλάργυρος (philárgyros, G5366) — fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things ἐκμυκτηρίζω (ekmyktērízō, G1592) — to sneer outright at αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?
And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth.
Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.