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Luke 16:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 16:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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.
Luke 16:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
← Luke 16:2Luke 16:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the steward said within himself, etc.] As the Scribes and Pharisees were wont to do, (<400309>Matthew 3:9 9:3 <420739>Luke 7:39,49) what shall I do? he does not say, what will become of me? I am undone, and what shall I do to be saved? or what shall I do for my Lord and Master I have so much injured? or what shall I do to make up matters with him? or what account shall I give? but what shall I do for a maintenance? how shall I live? what shall I do to please men, and gain their opinion and good will, and so be provided for by them? of this cast were the Pharisees, men pleasers, and self-seekers: for my Lord taketh away from me the stewardship: the priesthood was changed, and there was a…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cannot dig . . . to beg, ashamed--therefore, when dismissed, shall be in utter want.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Said within himself - Thought, or considered. My lord - My master, my employer. I cannot dig - This may mean either that his employment had been such that he could not engage in agriculture, not having been acquainted with the business, or that he was “unwilling” to stoop to so low an employment as to work daily for his support. “To dig,” here, is the same as to till the earth, to work at daily labor. To beg - These were the only two ways that presented themselves for a living - either to work for it, or to beg. I am ashamed - He was too proud for that. Besides, he was in good health and strength, and there was no good reason “why” he should beg - nothing which he could give as a cause for…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“To beg I am ashamed - But not ashamed to cheat! This was likewise a sense of honour! "By men called honour, but by angels pride." Luke 16:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:3 I’m too proud to beg: The Jewish wisdom writer Sirach said, “It is better to die than to beg” (Sirach 40:28), a reflection of Jewish attitudes.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“said: Luk 18:4; Est 6:6 What: Luk 12:17; Isa 10:3; Jer 5:31; Hos 9:5; Act 9:6 I cannot: Pro 13:4, Pro 15:19, Pro 18:9, Pro 19:15, Pro 21:25, Pro 21:26, Pro 24:30-34, Pro 26:13-16, Pro 27:23-27; Pro 29:21; Th2 3:11 to beg: Luk 16:20, Luk 16:22; Pro 20:4; Mar 10:46; Joh 9:8; Act 3:2 Luke 16:4”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 16 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification