Luke 16 1

Luke 16:1 kjv

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.

Luke 16:1 nkjv

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.

Luke 16:1 niv

Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.

Luke 16:1 esv

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.

Luke 16:1 nlt

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.

Luke 16 verses

Luke 16 1 Meaning

Luke 16:1 begins one of Jesus' most thought-provoking parables, addressed specifically to His disciples. It introduces a wealthy landowner and his steward, or manager, who faces serious accusations of mismanaging and squandering his master's possessions. This initial verse sets the scene for a narrative about accountability, responsibility in handling entrusted resources, and the subsequent actions taken by one facing potential dismissal, thus laying the groundwork for a profound lesson on financial wisdom, foresight, and spiritual priorities in the kingdom of God.

Luke 16 1 Context

Luke 16:1 initiates a new segment of Jesus' teaching, shifting the audience and the immediate focus. In Luke chapter 15, Jesus delivered the famous parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son, primarily to tax collectors, sinners, and in response to the Pharisees' grumbling. These parables highlighted God's boundless grace, mercy, and joy over repentance.

Luke 16:1, however, states, "He also said to His disciples." This explicit change in audience signals that the ensuing lessons—beginning with the parable of the shrewd manager and continuing with teachings on wealth and the story of the rich man and Lazarus—are specifically for those who are committed followers of Christ. The parables of chapter 16 expand on the themes of responsible living in light of God's kingdom, particularly concerning the use of earthly wealth and possessions. This immediate verse sets the stage for a practical and challenging discourse on stewardship and eternal priorities for believers, serving as a transition from the celebration of salvation to the implications of sanctification in daily life.

Historically, managers (οἰκονόμοι, oikonomoi) were indispensable figures in affluent households across the Greco-Roman world and among the Jewish elite. They held significant power and trust, overseeing finances, property, and household staff. An accusation of "squandering" (διασκορπίζω, diaskorpizō) was a serious charge, implying not just mismanagement but reckless wastefulness, which would lead to dismissal, public disgrace, and often, financial ruin for the manager.

Luke 16 1 Word analysis

• He also said: This phrase, common in Luke, signals a continuation of Jesus’ teaching. "He" refers to Jesus, the central speaker. "Also" connects this new teaching to previous discourses.
• to His disciples: (Greek: μαθηταῖς, mathētais). Refers specifically to Jesus' learners, followers, and inner circle. This audience distinguishes the teaching from previous parables directed at general crowds or opponents, suggesting the lesson is for those committed to living out His principles. It emphasizes that stewardship is a key aspect of discipleship.
• There was a certain rich man: (Greek: πλούσιός τις, plousios tis). A typical way for Jesus to introduce a parable, signaling a hypothetical yet relatable scenario. The term "rich" (πλούσιος, plousios) describes a person of considerable wealth or abundance. The parable does not initially condemn the wealth itself, but focuses on the implications of possessing it and managing it.
• who had a manager: (Greek: οἰκονόμον, oikonomon). A "manager" or "steward" was a crucial role in large households, responsible for overseeing finances, property, and often other servants. The Greek word oikonomos (from oikos "house" + nomos "law" or "management") signifies one who manages the affairs of a household or estate for another. This position required significant trust, authority, and financial acumen. This role symbolizes every person as a steward of God's given resources, time, talents, and even the gospel itself.
• and charges were brought to him: The use of a passive verb indicates that the information was conveyed to the rich man, likely by servants, neighbors, or through public rumor. "Him" refers to the rich man, the owner of the estate. This highlights the severity and public nature of the accusations.
• that this man was squandering: (Greek: διασκορπίζων, diaskorpizōn). The verb diaskorpizō literally means to scatter abroad, disperse, or waste. It implies a careless, irresponsible, or extravagant use of resources, leading to dissipation. This exact term is notably used in Luke 15:13 to describe the Prodigal Son's wastefulness of his inheritance. It implies a significant misuse of trust, not just inefficiency but active depletion of assets, possibly through neglect or indulgence.
• his possessions: (Greek: ὑπάρχοντα, hyparchonta). This refers to all of the rich man's existing property, goods, assets, and wealth. It encompasses everything entrusted to the manager's care. This emphasizes the magnitude of the trust betrayed and the loss incurred.

Words-group analysis:

• "He also said to His disciples": This phrasing is crucial for interpreting the parable's intended audience and application. It is a teaching specifically for followers, guiding them on Kingdom principles, distinct from general public sermons.
• "There was a certain rich man who had a manager": This sets up the relationship between the ultimate owner and the entrusted individual, foundational to the theme of stewardship that undergirds much of Jesus' teaching on wealth. It immediately establishes a hierarchy and a chain of accountability.
• "and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his possessions": This phrase introduces the central conflict and the manager's grave offense. It details the nature of the manager's failure – not just poor performance but actual dissipation of wealth, which triggers the dramatic events of the parable.

Luke 16 1 Bonus section

• The parable beginning in Luke 16:1, often called the Parable of the Dishonest or Unjust Steward, is one of the most debated and challenging parables to interpret due to the manager's actions later being described as "shrewd" or "prudent" (Luke 16:8). Understanding verse 1's explicit charge of "squandering" is vital, as it firmly establishes the manager's moral and economic failing at the outset. Jesus' later commendation will not be of his dishonesty but of his foresight and practical wisdom in response to a crisis.
• The theme of accountability for stewardship is profound in both Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Israelite nation was called to steward God's land and covenant. In the New Testament, all believers are considered stewards of their time, talents, wealth, and spiritual gifts for God's glory (1 Pet 4:10). This opening verse directly introduces a stark example of failing this divine calling.
• While this parable doesn't directly polemicize against contemporary beliefs in the way some of Jesus' debates with the Pharisees do, it indirectly challenges a worldview that equates material wealth with divine favor or assumes earthly possessions are solely for personal enjoyment without regard for ultimate accountability or kingdom purposes. It subtly critiques any complacency regarding financial management by those who claim to follow God.

Luke 16 1 Commentary

Luke 16:1 serves as the crucial introduction to the parable of the shrewd manager, setting a clear framework for Jesus’ subsequent challenging teachings on the right use of earthly resources for eternal ends. By addressing this parable "to His disciples," Jesus underscores that stewardship of wealth and possessions is an essential aspect of Kingdom living for those committed to Him. The immediate problem presented is that the manager is accused of "squandering" his master's possessions. This accusation highlights a serious betrayal of trust and responsible conduct, reminiscent of the prodigal son's wastefulness in the previous chapter (Luke 15).

This verse immediately confronts believers with the idea that what we possess on earth is not truly our own but entrusted to us by God, the ultimate owner (Psa 24:1). The manager's mismanagement sets the stage for a lesson that delves into spiritual foresight, accountability, and the surprising way temporary resources can be used to secure eternal benefits. The verse does not commend the squandering, but establishes the premise of a severe crisis that forces the manager to act decisively, foreshadowing Jesus’ unexpected counsel to His disciples. The tension between responsibility and impending judgment established here compels the listener to consider how they manage the gifts and resources God has given them.