Luke 16:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
κἀγὼ
And I
G2504
κἀγὼ
And I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
1 of 20
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
λέγω
say
G3004
λέγω
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ποιήσατε
Make
G4160
ποιήσατε
Make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
4 of 20
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 20
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
φίλους
friends
G5384
φίλους
friends
Strong's:
G5384
Word #:
6 of 20
actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
7 of 20
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδικίας
of unrighteousness
G93
ἀδικίας
of unrighteousness
Strong's:
G93
Word #:
11 of 20
(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
13 of 20
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
δέξωνται
they may receive
G1209
δέξωνται
they may receive
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
15 of 20
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 19:21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Luke 12:33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Luke 16:11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?Daniel 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.Luke 14:14And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.Luke 16:13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Luke 11:41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.Acts 10:31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Historical Context
This verse presents a theology of money unique in Scripture. 'Mammon' (μαμωνᾶς, mamōnas) is an Aramaic term for wealth, personified as a rival god (v. 13). Jesus calls it 'unrighteous' not because earning money is sinful but because wealth belongs to this fallen, temporary world system. Yet even tainted money can be redeemed through kingdom use. The startling promise is that generosity now creates eternal friendships—those blessed by our resources will greet us in heaven. This doesn't teach salvation by works but rather that genuine faith expresses itself in generosity (James 2:14-17). How we use money reveals and develops our hearts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing money as 'unrighteous mammon' from a fallen system change your relationship with wealth?
- What does it mean that people you've blessed financially will welcome you into eternity?
- How should this teaching shape Christian attitudes toward giving, generosity, and financial planning?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus applies the lesson: '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.' The command 'make to yourselves friends' (ποιήσατε φίλους, poiēsate philous) 'of the mammon of unrighteousness' (ἐκ τοῦ μαμωνᾶ τῆς ἀδικίας, ek tou mamōna tēs adikias) means use money (inherently tied to this fallen world) strategically. The phrase 'when ye fail' (ὅταν ἐκλίπῃ, hotan eklipē) refers to death or money's ultimate failure. Then 'they may receive you' (δέξωνται ὑμᾶς, dexōntai hymas) 'into everlasting habitations' (εἰς τὰς αἰωνίους σκηνάς, eis tas aiōnious skēnas)—people you've blessed with resources will welcome you into eternity. Use money to advance the gospel and serve others; such investments yield eternal dividends.