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Luke Chapter 16

New Testament Gospel 31 Verses

What is Luke 16 about?

The most detailed Gospel — Jesus as the Son of Man, with special emphasis on the poor, women, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And 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.
2And he called him, and said unto him, What is this that I hear of thee? render the account of thy stewardship; for thou canst be no longer steward.
3And the steward said within himself, What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh away the stewardship from me? I have not strength to dig; to beg I am ashamed.
4I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
5And calling to him each one of his lord`s debtors, he said to the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
6And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bond, and sit down quickly and write fifty.
7Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He saith unto him, Take thy bond, and write fourscore.
8And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.
9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.
10He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much.
11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?
12And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another`s, who will give you that which is your own?
13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
14And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him.
15And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
16The law and the prophets [were] until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.
17But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the law to fall.
18Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.
19Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
20and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21and desiring to be fed with the [crumbs] that fell from the rich man`s table; yea, even the dogs come and licked his sores.
22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham`s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.
23And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.
25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted and thou art in anguish.
26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.
27And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father`s house;
28for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.
31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And he said also to his disciples, etc.] 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“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."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“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…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“And he said also to his disciples - Not only to the scribes and Pharisees to whom he had hitherto been speaking, but to all the younger as well as the elder brethren: to the returning prodigals who were now his disciples. A certain rich man had a steward - Christ here teaches all that are now in favour with God, particularly pardoned penitents, to behave wisely in what is committed to them. Luke 16:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“16:1 a certain rich man who had a manager: Wealthy landowners commonly put managers over their estates.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“a certain: Mat 18:23, Mat 18:24, 25:14-30 a steward: Luk 8:3, Luk 12:42; Gen 15:2, Gen 43:19; Ch1 28:1; Co1 4:1, Co1 4:2; Tit 1:7; Pe1 4:10 wasted: Luk 16:19, Luk 15:13, Luk 15:30, Luk 19:20; Pro 18:9; Hos 2:8; Jam 4:3 Luke 16:2”
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