Devine Scripture

Luke 16:1

What does Luke 16:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:1 means

Jesus begins a parable for His disciples about a rich man and his steward. The steward is accused of mismanaging the rich man's possessions, implying a betrayal of trust. This opening sets the stage for a story that, surprisingly, will not immediately condemn the steward's later actions outright but will highlight a particular kind of worldly wisdom to be contrasted with spiritual priorities. The rich man's wealth and the steward's responsibility are central to understanding the lessons that follow about stewardship and resources.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And another time he said to the disciples, There was a certain man of great wealth who had a servant; and it was said to him that this servant was wasting his goods.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said also unto his disciples, `A certain man was rich, who had a steward, and he was accused to him as scattering his goods;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said also to his disciples: There was a certain rich man who had a steward: and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said also to [his] disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused to him as wasting his goods.

Context

This verse opens the parable of the shrewd manager, directly addressed to Jesus' disciples. It immediately introduces the two main characters—a wealthy man and his accused steward—and the central conflict of mismanagement. This parable follows teachings on lost things and repentance in chapter 15, transitioning now to the theme of responsible resource management and the proper use of wealth, a theme that will dominate much of Luke 16.

v.1This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 43:19

    And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spake unto him at the door of the house,

  • Luke 12:42

    And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

  • 1 Chronicles 28:1

    And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:1

    Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

  • Titus 1:7

    For the bishop must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;

  • Matthew 18:23

    Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.

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