Luke 16:8

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπῄνεσεν commended G1867
ἐπῄνεσεν commended
Strong's: G1867
Word #: 2 of 29
to applaud
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος the lord G2962
κύριος the lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 4 of 29
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκονόμον steward G3623
οἰκονόμον steward
Strong's: G3623
Word #: 6 of 29
a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδικίας the unjust G93
ἀδικίας the unjust
Strong's: G93
Word #: 8 of 29
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 9 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φρονίμως wisely G5430
φρονίμως wisely
Strong's: G5430
Word #: 10 of 29
prudently
ἐποίησεν· he had done G4160
ἐποίησεν· he had done
Strong's: G4160
Word #: 11 of 29
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὅτι because G3754
ὅτι because
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 12 of 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὺς the children G5207
υἱοὺς the children
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 14 of 29
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰῶνος world G165
αἰῶνος world
Strong's: G165
Word #: 16 of 29
properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (jewish) a messianic period (present or future)
τούτου of this G5127
τούτου of this
Strong's: G5127
Word #: 17 of 29
of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)
φρονιμώτεροι wiser G5429
φρονιμώτεροι wiser
Strong's: G5429
Word #: 18 of 29
thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while g4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and g4908 indicates rather inte
ὑπὲρ than G5228
ὑπὲρ than
Strong's: G5228
Word #: 19 of 29
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱοὺς the children G5207
υἱοὺς the children
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 21 of 29
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωτὸς of light G5457
φωτὸς of light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 23 of 29
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
εἰς in G1519
εἰς in
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 24 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 25 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεὰν generation G1074
γενεὰν generation
Strong's: G1074
Word #: 26 of 29
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῶν their G1438
ἑαυτῶν their
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 28 of 29
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
εἰσιν are G1526
εἰσιν are
Strong's: G1526
Word #: 29 of 29
they are

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus concludes the parable: 'And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their wisdom wiser than the children of light.' The master commends (ἐπῄνεσεν, epēnesen, praised) 'the unjust steward' (τὸν οἰκονόμον τῆς ἀδικίας, ton oikonomon tēs adikias)—not his dishonesty but his shrewdness in securing his future. The comparison 'children of this world' versus 'children of light' is striking: worldly people show more strategic wisdom in securing temporal futures than believers show in securing eternal ones. This parable doesn't endorse dishonesty but challenges Christians to be as intentional about eternal investments as the world is about temporal ones. Use resources strategically for kingdom purposes.

Historical Context

The parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-8) is among Jesus' most puzzling teachings. The key is understanding what's commended: not the theft but the foresight. The steward, facing unemployment, used his remaining authority to create future security by making friends who would receive him. Jesus' point: if even corrupt people act shrewdly to secure temporary futures, how much more should Christians invest wisely for eternity? The teaching critiques believers' frequent short-sightedness—we claim to believe in eternal realities yet live as if only this world matters. True wisdom recognizes earthly life as brief preparation for eternal existence.

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