Luke 16:1

Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples to introduce a parable about a wealthy man and his steward. This statement immediately precedes the moment the steward is summoned to render an account of his management and is dismissed from his position.

The words — Ἔλεγεν (Elegen) translates literally as "He was saying," establishing the narrative frame for the parable. ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) denotes "a man," specifically the rich owner whose possessions are being mismanaged.

The thread — The text's focus on entrusted resources and accountability runs through Luke 12:42, Matthew 25:14, and 1 Peter 4:10. These passages parallel the explicit demand to manage another's affairs faithfully and provide a reckoning.

Why it lands — The text states that a steward is accused of wasting possessions and must soon submit to an audit. It asks a reader to acknowledge the factual reality of accountability for resources that do not belong to them.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
Matthew 25:14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
Luke 12:42 And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?
1 Corinthians 4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
James 4:3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.
Titus 1:7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
Luke 15:13 After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
Matthew 18:23 Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.