Devine Scripture

Luke 16:3

What does Luke 16:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:3 means

The shrewd manager, facing unemployment, considers his options. He reveals his physical inability to perform manual labor ("not strength to dig") and his pride, which prevents him from begging. This internal monologue highlights his desperation and the practical constraints he faces, forcing him to devise an alternative, shrewd solution. His unwillingness to engage in physical labor or begging underscores his character and sets the stage for his ingenious, though self-serving, plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the servant said to himself, What am I to do now that my lord takes away my position? I have not enough strength for working in the fields, and I would be shamed if I made requests for money from people in the streets.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And the steward said in himself, What shall I do, because my lord doth take away the stewardship from me? to dig I am not able, to beg I am ashamed: --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; to beg I am ashamed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the steward said within himself, What shall I do; for my lord is taking the stewardship from me? I am not able to dig; I am ashamed to beg.

Context

After being fired in verse 2, the steward engages in an internal monologue, revealing his predicament and his refusal of conventional options like manual labor or begging. This verse is critical, as it bridges his dismissal with his subsequent plan of action, explaining *why* he takes the measures described in the following verses. His thought process is essential to understanding the "wisdom" his master later commends.

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.

v.3This passage

v.4I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 16:22

    And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

  • Proverbs 24:30

    I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

  • Proverbs 15:19

    The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.

  • Proverbs 13:4

    The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

  • Hosea 9:5

    What will ye do in the day of solemn assembly, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah?

  • Proverbs 19:15

    Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.

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