Devine Scripture

Luke 16:7

What does Luke 16:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:7 means

The steward continues his plan by questioning a second debtor about his obligation. This time, the debt is for a large measure of wheat, which the steward reduces from one hundred to eighty. The consistent pattern of reducing debts, though varying in degree, reinforces the steward's calculated strategy to win friends. These actions demonstrate his manipulative yet effective use of his remaining authority to benefit himself after his impending dismissal.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He saith unto him, Take thy bond, and write fourscore.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He saith unto him, Take thy bond, and write fourscore.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then he said to another, What is the amount of your debt? And he said, A hundred measures of grain. And he said to him, Take your account and put down eighty.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Afterward to another he said, And thou, how much dost thou owe? and he said, A hundred cors of wheat; and he saith to him, Take thy bill, and write eighty.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owe? Who said: An hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill and write eighty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he said to another, And thou, how much dost thou owe? And he said, A hundred cors of wheat. And he says to him, Take thy writing and write eighty.

Context

Following the first debtor's renegotiation in verse 6, this verse presents a second instance of the steward reducing a debt. It underscores the pattern of his shrewd actions and the deliberate nature of his plan. This repetition confirms that his actions are not accidental but a systematic effort to secure his future by creating obligations among his master's debtors.

v.6And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bond, and sit down quickly and write fifty.

v.7This passage

v.8And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.

Cross references

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

  • Song of Solomon 8:11

    Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.

  • Luke 20:12

    And he sent yet a third: and him also they wounded, and cast him forth.

  • Luke 20:9

    And he began to speak unto the people this parable: A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country for a long time.

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