Devine Scripture

Luke 16:9

What does Luke 16:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:9 means

Jesus instructs His disciples to use their material wealth ("mammon of unrighteousness") wisely to gain spiritual rewards, making "friends" who will receive them into "eternal tabernacles." This doesn't mean bribing people for heaven, but rather using earthly resources—which are tainted by this fallen world—to advance God's kingdom and serve others, thereby storing up treasure in heaven and ensuring an eternal welcome. It emphasizes leveraging temporary earthly goods for eternal spiritual gain, contrasting with the steward's purely earthly gain.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I say to you, Make friends for yourselves through the wealth of this life, so that when it comes to an end, you may be taken into the eternal resting-places.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I say to you, Make to yourselves friends out of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye may fail, they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity: that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I say to you, Make to yourselves friends with the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it fails ye may be received into the eternal tabernacles.

Context

This verse contains Jesus' direct application of the parable, calling His disciples to imitate the steward's foresight, but for eternal purposes. It builds directly on the principle stated in verse 8 about worldly wisdom. This instruction forms the first part of a series of teachings (verses 9-13) that expand on the proper use of material possessions and fidelity in stewardship, moving from the parable's narrative to practical spiritual guidance.

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.

v.9This passage

v.10He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much.

Cross references

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

  • Jude 1:21

    keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:1

    Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

  • 2 Timothy 1:16

    The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;

  • Luke 14:14

    and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

  • Luke 11:41

    But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

  • Luke 16:13

    No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

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