Luke 16:9

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 16:9 say?

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

The verse

And 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.
Luke 16:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I say unto you, etc.] These are the words of Christ, as are also the latter part of the preceding verse, accommodating and applying the parable to his disciples, and for their instruction: make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness: by “mammon” are designed riches, wealth, and substance; (see Gill on “<400624>Matthew 6:24”) and is called “mammon of unrighteousness”, because such wealth is often unrighteously detained, and is not made use of to right and good purposes, by the owners of it; or because, generally speaking, it is possessed by unrighteous men; and, for the most part, used in an unrighteous manner, in luxury, pride and intemperance, and is the root,…”
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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
“Make . . . friends of--Turn to your advantage; that is, as the steward did, "by showing mercy to the poor" (Dan 4:27; compare Luk 12:33; Luk 14:13-14). mammon of unrighteousness--treacherous, precarious. (See on Mat 6:24). ye fail--in respect of life. they may receive you--not generally, "ye may be received" (as Luk 6:38, "shall men give"), but "those ye have relieved may rise up as witnesses for you" at the great day. Then, like the steward, when turned out of one home shall ye secure another; but better than he, a heavenly for an earthly, an everlasting for a temporary habitation. Money is not here made the key to heaven, more than "the deeds done in the body" in general, according to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I say unto you - I, Jesus, say to you, my disciples. Make to yourselves friends - Some have understood the word “friends,” here, as referring to the poor; others, to holy angels; and others, to God. Perhaps, however, the word should not be considered as referring to any particular “persons,” but is used in accordance with the preceding parable; for in the application our Saviour uses the “language” appropriated to the conduct of the steward to express the “general” truth that we are to make a proper use of riches. The steward had so managed his pecuniary affairs as to secure future comfort for himself, or so as to find friends that would take care of him “beyond” the time when he was put out…”
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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
“And I say to you - Be good stewards even of the lowest talents wherewith God hath intrusted you. Mammon means riches or money. It is termed the mammon of unrighteousness, because of the manner wherein it is commonly either procured or employed. Make yourselves friends of this, by doing all possible good, particularly to the children of God: that when ye fail, when your flesh and your heart faileth, when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved, those of them who have gone before may receive, may welcome you into the everlasting habitations. Luke 16:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:9 worldly resources: This is a better translation than the traditional “mammon of unrighteousness” (KJV). Believers are to use their resources wisely for spiritual benefit. • they will welcome you to an eternal home: They are probably the friends. Just as the manager’s friends would give him security, the friends we win to the Kingdom will warmly welcome us for eternity.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Make: Luk 11:41, Luk 14:14; Pro 19:17; Ecc 11:1; Isa 58:7, Isa 58:8; Dan 4:27; Mat 6:19, Mat 19:21; Mat 25:35-40; Act 10:4, Act 10:31; Co2 9:12-15; Ti1 6:17-19; Ti2 1:16-18 of the: Luk 16:11, Luk 16:13 mammon: or, riches, Pro 23:5; Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10, Ti1 6:17 when: Psa 73:26; Ecc 12:3-7; Isa 57:16 into: Co2 4:17, Co2 4:18, Co2 5:1; Ti1 6:18; Jde 1:21 Luke 16:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification