Luke 16:1
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
Original Language Analysis
Ἔλεγεν
he said
G3004
Ἔλεγεν
he said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 23
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εἶχεν
had
G2192
εἶχεν
had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 23
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
οἰκονόμον
a steward
G3623
οἰκονόμον
a steward
Strong's:
G3623
Word #:
14 of 23
a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὗτος
the same
G3778
οὗτος
the same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
16 of 23
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
αὐτοῦ,
his
G846
αὐτοῦ,
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὡς
that
G5613
ὡς
that
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
19 of 23
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
διασκορπίζων
he had wasted
G1287
διασκορπίζων
he had wasted
Strong's:
G1287
Word #:
20 of 23
to dissipate, i.e., (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 12:42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.James 4:3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;Luke 15:13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.Luke 15:30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.Proverbs 18:9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.Luke 19:20And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:Luke 8:3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.Luke 16:19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Historical Context
Stewards in the ancient world managed large estates for wealthy absentee landowners. They had significant autonomy—collecting rents, managing workers, extending credit, keeping accounts. This position offered opportunity for both legitimate profit-sharing and corrupt self-enrichment. Stewards typically charged commissions on debts, and the parable's ambiguity about whether the steward was forgiving his own commission or his master's principal reflects realistic first-century estate management practices. The rich man's commendation (v. 8) may acknowledge the steward's cleverness in using current resources to secure future favor, even while disapproving his earlier mismanagement.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways are all Christians stewards of God's resources, and how does this reality shape daily decision-making?
- What does it mean to use 'unrighteous mammon' (v. 9) strategically for eternal purposes rather than temporal gain?
- How should the certainty of future accountability before God create urgency in our present use of time, money, and opportunities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. Jesus introduces the parable of the unjust steward, one of Scripture's most perplexing teachings. The phrase "said also unto his disciples" (ἔλεγεν δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοὺς μαθητάς, elegen de kai pros tous mathētas) indicates this parable follows the three parables of Luke 15 (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) but shifts the audience from Pharisees and scribes to disciples—the teaching targets believers about kingdom economics and eschatological urgency.
The term "steward" (οἰκονόμος, oikonomos) means household manager or estate administrator—one entrusted with another's resources. The accusation that he "wasted" (διασκορπίζων, diaskorpizōn, "scattering" or "squandering") his master's goods uses the same verb describing the prodigal son's waste (15:13). This manager has been unfaithful, mismanaging resources not his own. The parable's shock comes not from condemning this behavior but from commending the steward's shrewd response (v. 8). Jesus is not endorsing dishonesty but illustrating decisive action in crisis—a lesson about using present resources strategically for eternal outcomes. Christians are stewards of God's resources (time, money, gifts, gospel) and will give account; the parable urges urgent, wise investment for eternity.