Devine Scripture

Luke 16:8

What does Luke 16:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:8 means

Surprisingly, the rich master commends the dishonest steward, not for his integrity, but for his foresight and wisdom in worldly matters. Jesus then explains that "the sons of this world" (unbelievers) are often more strategic and proactive in pursuing their earthly interests than "the sons of the light" (believers) are in pursuing spiritual ones. This verse is not an endorsement of dishonesty, but an observation of practical shrewdness that believers should emulate in their spiritual stewardship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his lord was pleased with the false servant, because he had been wise; for the sons of this world are wiser in relation to their generation than the sons of light.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And the lord commended the unrighteous steward that he did prudently, because the sons of this age are more prudent than the sons of the light, in respect to their generation.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the lord commended the unjust steward, forasmuch as he had done wisely: for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the lord praised the unrighteous steward because he had done prudently. For the sons of this world are, for their own generation, more prudent than the sons of light.

Context

This is a pivotal verse, as the rich man's commendation of the *unrighteous* steward provides the unexpected twist and the central interpretive key to the parable. It shifts the focus from the steward's ethics to his strategic foresight. Jesus then immediately clarifies the lesson, setting up the direct applications for His disciples that follow in verses 9-13, urging them to apply similar wisdom to spiritual matters.

v.7Then 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.

v.8This passage

v.9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 3:10

    In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

  • 2 Samuel 13:3

    But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man.

  • Psalms 49:10

    For he shall see it. Wise men die; The fool and the brutish alike perish, And leave their wealth to others.

  • Matthew 17:26

    And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.

  • Luke 20:34

    And Jesus said unto them, The sons of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

  • Philippians 3:19

    whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

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