Luke 16:1

Easy-to-Read Version

Jesus said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man. He hired a manager to take care of his business. Later, he learned that his manager was cheating him.

Parallel Translations

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And he sayd also vnto his disciples. Ther was a certayne rych man which had a stewarde that was acused vnto him that he had wasted his goodes.

Hebrew Names Version
He said also to his talmidim, "There was a certain rich man, who had a manager. The same was accused to him of wasting his possessions.

International Standard Version
Now Jesushe">[fn] was saying to the disciples, "A rich man had a manager who was accused of wasting his assets.

New American Standard Bible
Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions.

New Century Version
Jesus also said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man who had a manager to take care of his business. This manager was accused of cheating him.

Update Bible Version
And he said also to the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he was wasting his goods.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward; and the same was accused to him that he had wasted his goods.

Amplified Bible
Now Jesus was also saying to the disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a manager [of his estate], and accusations [against this man] were brought to him, that this man was squandering his [master's] possessions.

English Standard Version
He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.

World English Bible
He said also to his disciples, "There was a certain rich man, who had a manager. The same was accused to him of wasting his possessions.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and he was accused to him as wasting his goods.

Weymouth's New Testament
He said also to His disciples: "There was a rich man who had a steward, about whom a report was brought to him, that he was wasting his property.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He seide also to hise disciplis, Ther was a riche man, that hadde a baili; and this was defamed to him, as he hadde wastid his goodis.

English Revised Version
And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods.

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus also said to His disciples, "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus said to his disciples: A rich man once had a manager to take care of his business. But he was told that his manager was wasting money.

American Standard Version
And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods.

Bible in Basic English
And another time he said to the disciples, There was a certain man of great wealth who had a servant; and it was said to him that this servant was wasting his goods.

Complete Jewish Bible
Speaking to the talmidim, Yeshua said: "There was a wealthy man who employed a general manager. Charges were brought to him that his manager was squandering his resources.

Darby Translation
And he said also to [his] disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and *he* was accused to him as wasting his goods.

Etheridge Translation
AND he spake a parable to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a house-chief; [fn] and he was accused to him that his substance he wasted.

Murdock Translation
And he spoke a parable to his disciples. There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and accusations were brought to him of him, that he squandered his property.

King James Version (1611)
And hee said also vnto his disciples, There was a certaine rich man which had a Steward, and the same was accused vnto him that he had wasted his goods.

New Living Translation
Jesus told this story to his disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer's money.

New Life Bible
Jesus said to His followers, "There was a rich man who put a boss over his houses and lands. Someone told him that his boss was not using his riches in a right way.

New Revised Standard
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And he sayde also vnto his disciples, There was a certaine riche man, which had a stewarde, and he was accused vnto him, that he wasted his goods.

George Lamsa Translation
AND he spoke a parable to his dis ciples, There was a rich man, who had a steward; and they accused him that he was wasting his wealth.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he went on to say, unto his disciples also, - There was, a certain rich man, who had a steward, and, the same, was accused to him as squandering his goods.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods.

Revised Standard Version
He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he sayde also vnto his disciples. There was a certayne riche man, which had a stewarde, and the same was accused vnto hym that he had wasted his goodes.

Good News Translation
Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a servant who managed his property. The rich man was told that the manager was wasting his master's money,

Christian Standard Bible®
Now he said to the disciples: “There was a rich

King James Version
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Lexham English Bible
And he also said to the disciples, "A certain man was rich, who had a manager. And charges were brought to him that this person was squandering his possessions.

Literal Translation
And He also said to His disciples, A certain man was rich; and he had a steward, and this one was accused to him as wasting his goods.

Young's Literal Translation
And he said also unto his disciples, `A certain man was rich, who had a steward, and he was accused to him as scattering his goods;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He sayde also vnto his disciples: There was a certayne riche man, which had a stewarde, that was accused vnto him, that he had waisted his goodes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Jesus said likewise to his disciples, a certain rich man had an information against his steward, for making havock of his estate.

THE MESSAGE
Jesus said to his disciples, "There was once a rich man who had a manager. He got reports that the manager had been taking advantage of his position by running up huge personal expenses. So he called him in and said, ‘What's this I hear about you? You're fired. And I want a complete audit of your books.'

New English Translation
Jesus also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who was informed of accusations that his manager was wasting his assets.

New King James Version
He also said to His disciples: "There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Jesus told his twelve cowboys this story, "There was a rich rancher who hired a bean counter to manage his properties. One day, the rancher was informed that the bean counter was wasting a lot of money.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward, and this steward was reported to him as squandering his possessions.

Contextual Overview

¹ Jesus said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man. He hired a manager to take care of his business. Later, he learned that his manager was cheating him. ² So he called the manager in and said to him, ‘I have heard bad things about you. Give me a report of what you have done with my money. You can't be my manager anymore.' ³ "So, the manager thought to himself, ‘What will I do? My master is taking my job away from me. I am not strong enough to dig ditches. I am too proud to beg. ⁴ I know what I will do! I will do something to make friends, so that when I lose my job, they will welcome me into their homes.' ⁵ "So the manager called in each person who owed the master some money. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe my master?' ⁶ He answered, ‘I owe him 100 jars of olive oil.' The manager said to him, ‘Here is your bill. Hurry! Sit down and make the bill less. Write 50 jars.' ⁷ "Then the manager asked another one, ‘How much do you owe my master?' He answered, ‘I owe him 100 measures of wheat.' Then the manager said to him, ‘Here is your bill; you can make it less. Write 80 measures.' ⁸ "Later, the master told the dishonest manager that he had done a smart thing. Yes, worldly people are smarter in their business with each other than spiritual people are. ⁹ "I tell you, use the worldly things you have now to make ‘friends' for later. Then, when those things are gone, you will be welcomed into a home that lasts forever. ¹⁰ Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

a certain: Matthew 18:23, Matthew 18:24, Matthew 25:14-30

a steward: Luke 8:3, Luke 12:42, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 43:19, 1 Chronicles 28:1, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Titus 1:7, 1 Peter 4:10

wasted: Luke 16:19, Luke 15:13, Luke 15:30, Luke 19:20, Proverbs 18:9, Hosea 2:8, James 4:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:20 - lifted up Genesis 47:14 - Joseph brought 2 Kings 12:15 - for they dealt Proverbs 21:20 - but Proverbs 28:20 - faithful Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches Matthew 20:8 - unto Matthew 25:19 - reckoneth Matthew 25:29 - shall be taken John 6:12 - that nothing 1 Corinthians 7:31 - use Colossians 4:1 - ye

Cross-References

Genesis 11:30
Sarai did not have any children because she was not able to have children.

Genesis 12:16
Pharaoh was kind to Abram because he thought Abram was Sarai's brother. He gave Abram sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and men and women servants.

Genesis 16:2
Sarai told Abram, "The Lord has not allowed me to have children, so sleep with my slave. Maybe she can have a son, and I will accept him as my own." Abram did what Sarai said.

Genesis 16:3
So after living ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai gave her Egyptian slave to Abram as a second wife.

Genesis 16:9
The angel of the Lord said to her, "Sarai is your owner. Go home to her and obey her."

Genesis 16:10
The angel of the Lord also said, "From you will come many people—too many people to count."

Genesis 21:12
But God said to Abraham, "Don't worry about the boy and the slave woman. Do what Sarah wants. Your descendants will be those who come through Isaac.

Genesis 21:21
His mother found a wife for him in Egypt. They continued to live in the Paran desert.

Genesis 25:21
Isaac's wife could not have children. So Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord heard Isaac's prayer, and he allowed Rebekah to become pregnant.

Judges 13:2
There was a man named Manoah from the city of Zorah. He was from the tribe of Dan. Manoah had a wife, but she was not able to have any children.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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, Luke 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,

Luke 16:8 but the Pharisees are meant: for these are taken notice of as gravelled at this parable, Luke 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; these are the tutors and governors mentioned in Galatians 4:2 who had the care of the house of Israel, the family of God, under the legal dispensation; and to whom were committed the oracles of God, the writings of Moses, and the prophets; and whose business it was to open and explain them to the people.

And the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods; put false glosses upon the Scriptures; fed the family with bad and unwholesome food, the traditions of the elders, called the leaven of the Pharisees: made havoc of the souls of men; and made the hearts of the righteous sad: and hardened sinners in their wicked ways: and fed themselves, and not the flock; and plundered persons of their temporal substance; of all which they were accused by Moses, in whom they trusted; by his law which they violated; and by their own consciences, which witnessed against them; and by the cries of those whom they abused, which came into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

His disciples - The word “disciples,” here, is not to be restricted to the twelve apostles or to the seventy. The parable appears to have been addressed to all the professed followers of the Saviour who were present when it was delivered. It is connected with that in the preceding chapter. Jesus had there been discoursing with the scribes and Pharisees, and vindicating his conduct in receiving kindly publicans and sinners. These “publicans and sinners” are here particularly referred to by the word “disciples.” It was with reference to “them” that the whole discourse had arisen. After Jesus had shown the Pharisees, in the preceding chapter, the propriety of his conduct, it was natural that he should turn and address his disciples. Among them there might have been some who were wealthy. The “publicans” were engaged in receiving taxes, in collecting money, and their chief danger arose from that quarter - from covetousness or dishonesty.

Jesus always adapted his instructions to the circumstances of his hearers, and it was proper, therefore, that he should give “these disciples” instructions about their “special” duties and dangers. He related this parable, therefore, to show them “the danger of the love of money;” the guilt it would lead to Luke 16:1; the perplexities and shifts to which it would drive a man when once he had been dishonest Luke 16:3-7; the necessity of using money aright, since it was their chief business Luke 16:9; and the fact that if they would serve God aright they must give up supreme attachment to money Luke 16:13; and that the first duty of religion demanded that they should resolve to serve God, and be honest in the use of the wealth intrusted to them. This parable has given great perplexity, and many ways have been devised to explain it. The above solution is the most simple of any; and if these plain principles are kept in view, it will not be difficult to give a consistent explanation of its particular parts. It should be borne in mind, however, that in this, as well as in other parables, we are not to endeavor to spiritualize every circumstance or allusion. We are to keep in view the great moral truth taught in it, that we cannot serve God and mammon, and that all attempts to do this will involve us in difficulty and sin.

A steward - One who has charge of the affairs of a family or household; whose duty it is to provide for the family, to purchase provisions, etc. This is, of course, an office of trust and confidence. It affords great opportunity for dishonesty and waste, and for embezzling property. The master’s eye cannot always be on the steward, and he may, therefore, squander the property, or hoard it up for his own use. It was an office commonly conferred on a slave as a reward for fidelity, and of course was given to him that, in long service, had shown himself most trustworthy. By the “rich man,” here, is doubtless represented God. By the “steward,” those who are his professed followers, particularly the “publicans” who were with the Saviour, and whose chief danger arose from the temptations to the improper use of the money intrusted to them.

Was accused - Complaint was made.

Had wasted - Had squandered or scattered it; had not been prudent and saving.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XVI.

The parable of the unjust steward, 1-8.

Christ applies this to his hearers, 9-13.

The pharisees take offence, 14.

Our Lord reproves them, and shows the immutability of the law,

15-17.

Counsels against divorce, 18.

The story of the rich man and the beggar, commonly called

Dives and Lazarus, 10-31.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVI.

Verse Luke 16:1. 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, c., put into his hands for this very purpose. Luke 8:3.

There is a parable very like this in Rab. Dav. Kimchi's comment on Isaiah, Isaiah 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 favour 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.