Luke 16:1
Ἔλεγεν δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητάς· Ἄνθρωπός τις ἦν πλούσιος ὃς εἶχεν οἰκονόμον, καὶ οὗτος διεβλήθη αὐτῷ ὡς διασκορπίζων τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ.
Now He was saying to His disciples, “A certain man was rich who had a manager, and this man was accused to him as scattering his possessions.
Paraphrase: On one occasion, Jesus told His disciples another parable. “There once was a very wealthy man,” said Jesus, “who owned a great deal of property and was involved in many business ventures. To help him run all these enterprises efficiently, he hired a manager. This man worked under him and had complete oversight over all the employees, the accounts, and everything else that was needed to make things run smoothly. After some time, however, reports started trickling back to the owner that his manager was not making very wise choices in his management of the business. Some even accused him of wasting his master’s resources.
Comments:
See here (p76) for the responsibilities of such a steward.
Luke 16:2
καὶ φωνήσας αὐτὸν εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Τί τοῦτο ἀκούω περὶ σοῦ; ἀπόδος τὸν λόγον τῆς οἰκονομίας σου, οὐ γὰρ δύνῃ ἔτι οἰκονομεῖν.
and calling him he said to him, “What is this I hear about you? Give up the record of your administration, for you are not able to be manager any longer.
Paraphrase: So the owner made a careful investigation of these charges and finally decided to confront his manager. “What’s going on with you?” he demanded. “Why am I continually hearing reports that you are mismanaging my business and squandering my assets? I have to tell you; my mind is made up; you are not going to be manager any longer. You are fired!“
Comments:
For the paradigm of –μι verbs in the imperative, see BBG 35.2.
Luke 16:3
εἶπεν δὲ ἐν ἑαυτῷ ὁ οἰκονόμος· Τί ποιήσω ὅτι ὁ κύριός μου ἀφαιρεῖται τὴν οἰκονομίαν ἀπ’ ἐμοῦ; σκάπτειν οὐκ ἰσχύω, ἐπαιτεῖν αἰσχύνομαι·
Then the manager said to himself, “What will I do because my master is taking the management away from me; to dig I am not able; to beg, I am ashamed.
Paraphrase: The manager left this meeting in anguish. What was he to do? Had this really just happened to him? How would he provide for himself? “I am too old to get a job digging ditches; there’s no way I’m strong enough to do that kind of work. The only thing left for me is to beg, and I would be so bitterly ashamed to do this.
Comments:
Luke 16:4
ἔγνων τί ποιήσω, ἵνα ὅταν μετασταθῶ ἐκ τῆς οἰκονομίας δέξωνταί με εἰς τοὺς οἴκους ἑαυτῶν.
I know what I will do in order that when I am put out of the management, they might take me into their houses.
Paraphrase: Then the man had an idea. “That’s it!” he shouted. “I know what I will do, so that when I am no longer employed, people will welcome me into their house as a friend and will provide for me until I can find another job.”
Comments:
Luke 16:5
καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος ἕνα ἕκαστον τῶν χρεοφειλετῶν τοῦ κυρίου ἑαυτοῦ ἔλεγεν τῷ πρώτῳ· Πόσον ὀφείλεις τῷ κυρίῳ μου;
and calling each one of the debtors of his master, he said to the first, “What do you owe my master?”
Paraphrase: The man knew he needed to act fast. Quickly, he drew up a list of all the people who were in debt to his master. Then he hurried out the door intending to visit each of them. “What do you owe my master?” he said to the first man.
Comments:
Luke 16:6
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἑκατὸν βάτους ἐλαίου· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Δέξαι σου τὰ γράμματα καὶ καθίσας ταχέως γράψον πεντήκοντα.
Then he said, “One hundred baths of oil.” Then he said to him, “Take your bill and sitting quickly, write fifty.”
Paraphrase: “I owe your master 100 baths of oil,” replied the man.
“Oh my, that’s way too high,” said the crafty manager. “Take your bill and make it fifty baths of oil, and we’ll call it settled.”
The man looked at the manager dumbfounded. “Really?” he said, “Why thank you so much! You are indeed a most generous man. I’ll get this debt settled as quickly as I can, and I won’t forget this kindness either.”
“Don’t mention it,” said the manager. “We don’t want to overburden people with absurd amounts of debt. You’re a good man, and we look forward to doing business with you in the future.”
“You bet!” said the man, “I sure will be happy to do that.”
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat,” said the manager, “but I really must hurry off. Good day!”
The manager then hurried on to the next debtor.
Comments:
Luke 16:7
ἔπειτα ἑτέρῳ εἶπεν· Σὺ δὲ πόσον ὀφείλεις; ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἑκατὸν κόρους σίτου· λέγει αὐτῷ· Δέξαι σου τὰ γράμματα καὶ γράψον ὀγδοήκοντα.
Then to another he said, “Now you, how much do you owe?” Then he said, “100 cors of wheat.” He said to him, “Take your bill and write eighty.”
Paraphrase: When he reached the second man, he repeated the question. “Well to the best of my recollection,” the man said, “I still owe your master 100 cors of wheat. I’m working on getting that paid, but I’ve had a few reverses in my business which has slowed me down somewhat.”
“What?!” shouted the shrewd manager? “100 cors of wheat? That’s ridiculous. Cross out the 100 and put eighty. We’ll happily call the debt settled if you give us eighty cors. There’s no need to give us the full 100. We understand that your business has fallen on some hard times; that can happen to anyone.”
The man was delighted. He leaped up and shook the manager’s hand. “I always knew you and your master were good men,” he exclaimed. “I wish every businessman had your generosity. The extra money will sure come in handy; I can’t thank you enough. You can be sure that as soon as things turn around, I’ll happily get you the full 100 cors.”
Another wave of the hand, a hasty good-bye, and the manager hurried off to the next debtor. After each visit, the manager left behind a debtor who was rejoicing at his good fortune and promising his continued support. By the end of the day, the manager felt he had made enough contacts, and he returned to his home satisfied that when he was fired, these people would befriend him and help him get back on his feet again.
Comments:
Luke 16:8
καὶ ἐπῄνεσεν ὁ κύριος τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας ὅτι φρονίμως ἐποίησεν· ὅτι οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου φρονιμώτεροι ὑπὲρ τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ φωτὸς εἰς τὴν γενεὰν τὴν ἑαυτῶν εἰσιν.
and the master praised the unrighteous manager because he did prudently because the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of light are in their generation.
Paraphrase: When the owner became aware of his manager’s little scheme, he was quite impressed. “He was a terrible business manager, but he sure knew how to cushion his fall after losing his job.” said the owner.
At this, Jesus stopped and turned to His disciples. “Take a close look at this dishonest man,” He said. “Note how prudently he acted to make sure that, after he was fired, he would have someone to look after him. Now, the man was clearly a thief, and I am not commending him for that. I will, however, commend his quick thinking in providing for his future. In this sense, worldly people are more prudent than those who are in My kingdom. Just like this manager, they carefully plan for their future and make sure that they will be well provided for, but you don’t even do this much. I have taught you to lay up treasure in heaven (Luke 12:21, 33), but many of you are living as though there were no future life. You seem to think that this life is your best life. Have you forgotten that the fulness of My kingdom is something yet to come? (Matthew 6:10) Do you think that your real enjoyment and pleasure is to be found in this life? (Psalm 17:14; Luke 8:14; 21:34; 2 Timothy 2:4) Why aren’t you working here in such a way that you maximize the reward you will receive when you arrive in My heavenly kingdom? You should all be busy with this and not with finding as much pleasure as you can in the now. This dishonest manager teaches us at least this lesson; look to the future!
Comments:
εις την γενεαν is modifying οι υιοι του αιωνος τουτου.
Luke 16:9
καὶ ἐγὼ ὑμῖν λέγω, ἑαυτοῖς ποιήσατε φίλους ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας, ἵνα ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ δέξωνται ὑμᾶς εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς.
and I say to you, make friends for yourselves by the mammon of unrighteousness in order that when it might leave, they might receive you into their eternal tents.
Paraphrase: Let Me put it another way. You’re all busy trying to accumulate as much money for yourself as you can. You carefully study your investments to make sure that you get the best possible ROI. Let me straighten you out here; you’re putting your money in the wrong place. You need to invest your money in such a way that you see a return in the life to come. The people of this world also invest their money, but they are only looking for a return in the things of this life. Alas, their investments only plunge them ever deeper into misery. (James 5:1) Their money tricked them into thinking that real happiness could be found in this life. Here’s what you should be doing with your money; you should be using it to make friends for yourself just as this crafty manager did in the story I told you. Use whatever money you have to make friends with the suffering poor. (Luke 16:20; 18:22) In doing so, they will be grateful for what you did for them. Neither will they forget your kindness even after they die and enter paradise. Finally, the day will come when you too will die. Then you will leave behind all your money; and just like them, you will join them in paradise. But listen carefully; what will happen when you arrive at the gates of heaven? Why the very poor, who you helped on earth, will be there to greet you and to welcome you into their eternal homes! What a grand celebration and joyful reunion that will be! What a happy return on your investment!
Comments:
See Lightfoot (very bottom of p151) on the mammon. He argues that mammon of unrighteousness means decietful mammon.
Luke 16:10
Ὁ πιστὸς ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ καὶ ἐν πολλῷ πιστός ἐστιν, καὶ ὁ ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ ἄδικος καὶ ἐν πολλῷ ἄδικός ἐστιν.
Luke 16:11
εἰ οὖν ἐν τῷ ἀδίκῳ μαμωνᾷ πιστοὶ οὐκ ἐγένεσθε, τὸ ἀληθινὸν τίς ὑμῖν πιστεύσει;
Luke 16:12
καὶ εἰ ἐν τῷ ἀλλοτρίῳ πιστοὶ οὐκ ἐγένεσθε, τὸ ὑμέτερον τίς δώσει ὑμῖν;
Luke 16:13
οὐδεὶς οἰκέτης δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν· ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει. οὐ δύνασθε θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ.
Luke 16:14
Ἤκουον δὲ ταῦτα πάντα οἱ Φαρισαῖοι φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες, καὶ ἐξεμυκτήριζον αὐτόν.
Luke 16:15
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὑμεῖς ἐστε οἱ δικαιοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁ δὲ θεὸς γινώσκει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν· ὅτι τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ὑψηλὸν βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ.
Luke 16:16
Ὁ νόμος καὶ οἱ προφῆται μέχρι Ἰωάννου· ἀπὸ τότε ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ εὐαγγελίζεται καὶ πᾶς εἰς αὐτὴν βιάζεται.
Luke 16:17 Εὐκοπώτερον δέ ἐστιν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν παρελθεῖν ἢ τοῦ νόμου μίαν κεραίαν πεσεῖν.
Luke 16:18 Πᾶς ὁ ἀπολύων τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ καὶ γαμῶν ἑτέραν μοιχεύει, καὶ ὁ ἀπολελυμένην ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς γαμῶν μοιχεύει.
Luke 16:19 Ἄνθρωπος δέ τις ἦν πλούσιος, καὶ ἐνεδιδύσκετο πορφύραν καὶ βύσσον εὐφραινόμενος καθ’ ἡμέραν λαμπρῶς.
Luke 16:20 πτωχὸς δέ τις ὀνόματι Λάζαρος ἐβέβλητο πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ εἱλκωμένος
Luke 16:21 καὶ ἐπιθυμῶν χορτασθῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν πιπτόντων ἀπὸ τῆς τραπέζης τοῦ πλουσίου· ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ κύνες ἐρχόμενοι ἐπέλειχον τὰ ἕλκη αὐτοῦ.
Luke 16:22 ἐγένετο δὲ ἀποθανεῖν τὸν πτωχὸν καὶ ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἰς τὸν κόλπον Ἀβραάμ· ἀπέθανεν δὲ καὶ ὁ πλούσιος καὶ ἐτάφη.
Luke 16:23 καὶ ἐν τῷ ᾅδῃ ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις, ὁρᾷ Ἀβραὰμ ἀπὸ μακρόθεν καὶ Λάζαρον ἐν τοῖς κόλποις αὐτοῦ.
Luke 16:24 καὶ αὐτὸς φωνήσας εἶπεν· Πάτερ Ἀβραάμ, ἐλέησόν με καὶ πέμψον Λάζαρον ἵνα βάψῃ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ ὕδατος καὶ καταψύξῃ τὴν γλῶσσάν μου, ὅτι ὀδυνῶμαι ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ.
Luke 16:25 εἶπεν δὲ Ἀβραάμ· Τέκνον, μνήσθητι ὅτι ἀπέλαβες τὰ ἀγαθά σου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου, καὶ Λάζαρος ὁμοίως τὰ κακά· νῦν δὲ ὧδε παρακαλεῖται σὺ δὲ ὀδυνᾶσαι.
Luke 16:26 καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται, ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται, μηδὲ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν.
Luke 16:27 εἶπεν δέ· Ἐρωτῶ σε οὖν, πάτερ, ἵνα πέμψῃς αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου,
Luke 16:28 ἔχω γὰρ πέντε ἀδελφούς, ὅπως διαμαρτύρηται αὐτοῖς, ἵνα μὴ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔλθωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου.
Luke 16:29 λέγει δὲ Ἀβραάμ· Ἔχουσι Μωϋσέα καὶ τοὺς προφήτας· ἀκουσάτωσαν αὐτῶν.
Luke 16:30 ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐχί, πάτερ Ἀβραάμ, ἀλλ’ ἐάν τις ἀπὸ νεκρῶν πορευθῇ πρὸς αὐτοὺς μετανοήσουσιν.
Luke 16:31 εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ· Εἰ Μωϋσέως καὶ τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἀκούουσιν, οὐδ’ ἐάν τις ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῇ πεισθήσονται.