Devine Scripture

Luke 16:2

What does Luke 16:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:2 means

The rich man confronts his steward, demanding an accountability of his management because his time as steward is coming to an end. This is a severe moment for the steward, as his livelihood and position are being taken away. The requirement to "render the account" signifies a final audit, a moment of reckoning for how he handled what was entrusted to him. This immediate consequence prompts the steward's subsequent, desperate actions to secure his future outside of his master's employment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he sent for him and said, What is this which is said about you? give me an account of all you have done, for you will no longer be the manager of my property.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having called him, he said to him, What <FI>is<Fi> this I hear about thee? render the account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest not any longer be steward.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he called him and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship: for now thou canst be steward no longer.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having called him, he said to him, What [is] this that I hear of thee? give the reckoning of thy stewardship, for thou canst be no longer steward.

Context

This verse immediately escalates the conflict introduced in verse 1, as the rich man calls his steward to account and removes him from his position. It sets up the urgent dilemma the steward faces, which becomes the catalyst for his shrewd, though ethically questionable, plan. The abrupt dismissal and demand for an account are crucial for understanding the steward's motivations in the verses that follow.

v.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.

v.2This passage

v.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.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 14:12

    So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

  • 1 Peter 4:5

    who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:5

    Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:14

    For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

  • 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?

  • Luke 12:20

    But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?

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