The Shrewd Manager and Teaching on Wealth
Luke 16:1-15
Luke.16.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας·Ανθρωπος: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- πλουσιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ειχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οικονομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- διεβληθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- διασκορπιζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- υπαρχοντα: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 12:42-46 (structural): Another parable about a steward/manager, including the master's expectations and punishment — parallels Luke 16's focus on a manager's conduct and accountability.
- Luke 16:8 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same story where the master commends the steward's shrewdness; directly connects to the characterization and moral point of 16:1.
- Matthew 25:14-30 (thematic): Parable of the talents centers on stewardship of a master's property and final accounting — thematically related to responsibility and use of entrusted resources.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (verbal): Paul calls apostles 'stewards of the mysteries of God,' using the same steward/manager language to stress trustworthiness and accountability.
- Luke 12:16-21 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool addresses wealthy owners and mismanagement of possessions, echoing Luke 16's concerns about wealth, responsibility, and prudence.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to his disciples, 'There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.'
- He also said to his disciples, 'There was a rich man who had a steward, and this steward was accused to him as wasting his goods.'
Luke.16.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- φωνησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Τι: PRON,dat,3,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ακουω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- περι: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- αποδος: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οικονομιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- δυνη: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,sg
- ετι: ADV
- οικονομειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Luke 16:1 (structural): Opening verse of the same parable (the dishonest steward); provides immediate narrative context for the summons to give an account.
- Luke 12:42-48 (thematic): Jesus teaches about servants/household managers who must give an account, with judgment contingent on faithfulness—parallel theme of stewardship and reckoning.
- Matthew 25:19-30 (thematic): Parable of the talents: servants summoned to give an account of their stewardship and rewarded or punished accordingly—similar demand and outcome language.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (verbal): Paul describes apostles as stewards of Christ's mysteries and states that 'it is required of stewards that they be found faithful,' reflecting the accountability motif.
- Romans 14:12 (thematic): Declaration that each person will give an account of themselves to God, echoing the general principle of personal/accountable reckoning in Luke 16:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'
- So he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.'
Luke.16.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- εαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οικονομος·Τι: NOUN,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom/acc,sg,n
- ποιησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αφαιρειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οικονομιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- απ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- σκαπτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ισχυω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- επαιτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αισχυνομαι·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Luke 12:42-46 (structural): Another steward-focused parable about a servant’s responsibility and the master’s unexpected return; parallels the theme of accountability and the steward-master relationship.
- Matthew 24:45-51 (structural): Matthew’s parallel to Luke 12’s steward parable (same basic story in Matthew) emphasizing the faithful/unfaithful servant and the consequences when the master comes back.
- Matthew 25:14-30 (thematic): Parable of the Talents: different setting but shared theme of stewardship, responsibility for a master’s resources, and judgment based on how the steward/servant manages them.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (verbal): Paul uses the language of ‘stewards’ (οἰκονόμοι) and stresses that stewards must be found faithful, echoing the ethical demand and accountability in Luke’s steward parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.'
- The steward said within himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig; to beg I am ashamed.'
Luke.16.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγνων: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ποιησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- οταν: CONJ
- μετασταθω: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,sg
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οικονομιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δεξωνται: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,pl
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οικους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
Parallels
- Luke 16:1-3 (structural): Immediate context of the parable: verses 1–3 present the steward’s crisis and question (“What shall I do?”) that verse 4 answers with his plan to ingratiate himself with his master's debtors.
- Luke 16:8 (thematic): Jesus’ concluding remark that ‘the sons of this world are more shrewd...’ directly comments on the steward’s cunning resolution in v.4, highlighting worldly shrewdness as the parable’s focus.
- Luke 12:42-48 (thematic): Another Lukan teaching about stewards and impending account—contrasts faithful versus unfaithful stewards and the consequences when the master returns, paralleling the theme of stewardship and judgment.
- Matthew 25:14-30 (thematic): Parable of the talents: likewise addresses stewardship of a master’s resources, responsibility during the master’s absence, and the expected wise use of entrusted goods.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (thematic): Paul’s language about being ‘servants of Christ’ and that ‘it is required of stewards that they be found faithful’ provides an ethical/theological counterpoint to the unjust steward’s self-serving maneuver in v.4.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management people may receive me into their houses.'
- I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
Luke.16.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προσκαλεσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- εκαστον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- χρεοφειλετων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πρωτω·Ποσον: ADJ,dat,sg,m+ADV
- οφειλεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 18:23-25 (structural): Parable framework of a master settling accounts with a debtor—both involve a reckoning of indebtedness and illustrate mercy/handling of debt in a parabolic instruction.
- Luke 12:42-44 (thematic): Uses the language and theme of a steward/manager responsible to his master; connects Lukan concern with stewardship and the duties of a household manager.
- Matthew 25:14-30 (thematic): Parable about servants entrusted with a master's wealth and later called to account—related theme of stewardship, responsibility, and evaluation by the master.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (verbal): Paul’s use of 'stewards' (οἱ οἰκονόμοι) and the obligation to be found faithful echoes the steward/manager vocabulary and ethical expectations behind Luke’s parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- Summoning each of his master's debtors, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
- Calling his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
Luke.16.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν·Εκατον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- βατους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ελαιου·ο: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Δεξαι: PRON,dat,sg,3
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- γραμματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- καθισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ταχεως: ADV
- γραψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- πεντηκοντα: NUM,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Luke 16:7 (verbal): The parallel episode in the same steward story: a second debtor’s amount is reduced (eighty to twenty) with the same phrasing (“take your bill… write”), repeating the verbal pattern of v.6.
- Luke 16:8 (structural): Immediate narrative consequence of the reductions—the master commends the steward’s shrewdness—showing the purpose and outcome of the acts described in v.6.
- Matthew 18:23-35 (thematic): Parable of the unforgiving servant uses debt cancellation imagery to teach about mercy and forgiveness; thematically parallels the writing off of debts in Luke’s steward parable.
- Deuteronomy 15:1-2 (thematic): Law of debt release in the sabbatical year (every seven years) provides background for Jewish expectations about canceling debts, a cultural-legal frame for the steward’s reductions.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'
- He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and sit down quickly and write fifty.'
Luke.16.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειτα: ADV
- ετερω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- ειπεν·Συ: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ποσον: ADV
- οφειλεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν·Εκατον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κορους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- σιτου·λεγει: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτω·Δεξαι: PRON,dat,sg,3
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- γραμματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- γραψον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ογδοηκοντα: NUM,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Luke 16:5 (verbal): Immediate context: the preceding verse asks another debtor how much he owes and gives the figure (100 measures of wheat), directly setting up the manager's order in 16:7 to write down a reduced amount.
- Luke 16:8 (thematic): Immediate follow-up: draws the moral lesson from the manager's actions, praising his shrewdness and contrasting worldly shrewdness with the behavior expected of 'sons of light.'
- Matthew 18:23–35 (thematic): Parable of the unforgiving servant: shared motifs of large monetary indebtedness, a master–servant relationship, and the handling/forgiveness or alteration of debts—used to teach about relationships and moral conduct.
- Deuteronomy 15:1–2 (allusion): Law concerning periodic release/cancellation of debts (the sabbatical year): background legal/social context for ideas about debt, forgiveness, and release that inform New Testament parables about indebtedness.
- Luke 19:11–27 (structural): Parable of the minas: a different Jesus parable that also frames relationships in terms of money/accounts and settling/responding to entrusted resources—parallel structure of monetary reckoning to teach ethical/eschatological lessons.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and write eighty.'
- Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and write eighty.'
Luke.16.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επηνεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οικονομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- οτι: CONJ
- φρονιμως: ADV
- εποιησεν·οτι: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αιωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- φρονιμωτεροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m,comp
- υπερ: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- υιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- φωτος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γενεαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 10:16 (verbal): Jesus instructs disciples to be 'shrewd' (wise) as serpents—parallels the commendation of the steward's shrewdness as a positive model of prudence.
- Luke 12:56 (thematic): In the same Gospel Jesus rebukes listeners for failing to 'interpret this present time,' echoing the contrast between the worldly generation's savvy and the sons of light.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (verbal): Paul's language calling believers 'children/sons of light' parallels Luke's designation and highlights the moral/cosmic contrast between 'sons of this age' and 'sons of light.'
- Proverbs 22:3 (thematic): Wisdom literature valuing prudence and foresight ('the prudent sees the evil and hides himself') undergirds the positive appraisal of the steward's prudent (shrewd) action.
Alternative generated candidates
- The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd toward their own generation than the children of light.
- The master commended the dishonest steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are wiser in their generation than the children of light.
Luke.16.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- φιλους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- μαμωνα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- οταν: CONJ
- εκλιπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- δεξωνται: VERB,pres,mid,subj,3,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- αιωνιους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- σκηνας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Luke 12:33-34 (verbal): Both passages exhort using earthly wealth for heavenly ends (sell possessions/give to charity; make friends with mammon). Language of treasure/heart and concern for eternal benefit links them thematically and verbally.
- Luke 16:11 (structural): Immediate context within the same discourse contrasts 'unrighteous mammon' and 'true riches' and treats faithfulness with money as the test for stewardship—a direct structural continuation of 16:9's teaching.
- Matthew 25:35-40 (thematic): The Matthean judgment emphasizes hospitality and care for others (feeding, welcoming) as grounds for entrance into eternal life, paralleling Luke 16:9's idea of using wealth to gain welcome into 'eternal dwellings.'
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (thematic): Paulic exhortation to the rich to be generous and to 'lay up treasure' by good works parallels Jesus' instruction to use worldly wealth to secure eternal reward and a lasting foundation.
- Acts 4:34-35 (thematic): The Jerusalem church's practice of selling possessions and distributing to those in need models a concrete use of material resources for communal welfare and hospitality, reflecting Luke 16:9's call to employ wealth for relationships that have eternal significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
- And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that, when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings.
Luke.16.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ελαχιστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πολλω: ADV
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ελαχιστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- αδικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πολλω: ADV
- αδικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 25:21 (verbal): Parable of the talents uses nearly identical language about being 'faithful over a few things' leading to greater responsibility (reward for faithfulness in little).
- Luke 19:17 (verbal): Parable of the minas: master commends the servant 'Because you were faithful in a very little,' and grants authority over cities—close verbal and thematic parallel within Luke.
- Luke 12:48 (thematic): Teaching on stewardship and accountability: 'From everyone to whom much was given, much will be required,' echoing the principle that responsibility increases with faithfulness.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (thematic): Paul states that 'it is required of stewards that they be found faithful,' reflecting the same expectation of faithfulness in stewardship.},{
Alternative generated candidates
- One who is faithful in a little is faithful also in much; and the one who is dishonest in a little is dishonest also in much.
- Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
Luke.16.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αδικω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- μαμωνα: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πιστοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγενεσθε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αληθινον: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- πιστευσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 16:9 (verbal): Uses the same phrase 'mammon of unrighteousness' and links using worldly wealth to gaining eternal benefit—prepares the contrast with being entrusted with 'the true'.
- Luke 16:10 (verbal): Immediate context: the principle that faithfulness in little predicts faithfulness in much, framing the question who will be trusted with true riches.
- Matthew 25:21 (thematic): Parable of the talents: one who is faithful over a little is rewarded with greater responsibility—parallels Luke’s promise that faithfulness with worldly wealth leads to being entrusted with true riches.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (thematic): States that stewards must be found faithful—echoes Luke’s requirement that faithfulness with 'mammon' is the basis for being entrusted with what is truly valuable.
- Matthew 6:19-21 (thematic): Contrast between earthly and heavenly treasure and the counsel to invest in 'true' (heavenly) riches parallels Luke’s distinction between unrighteous mammon and the 'true' to be entrusted to the faithful.
Alternative generated candidates
- If then you have not been faithful with unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
- If then you have not been faithful with the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Luke.16.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αλλοτριω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- πιστοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγενεσθε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- υμετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- δωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Luke 16:10 (verbal): Uses the same principle of faithfulness in small things (faithful in little and much); sets up the reward language continued in 16:12.
- Luke 16:11 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same discourse: contrasts being faithful with 'unrighteous mammon' (worldly wealth) and the question of who will entrust you with true riches.
- Luke 16:13 (thematic): Develops the same theme of divided loyalty—one cannot serve God and mammon—explaining why faithfulness with money matters for spiritual responsibility.
- Matthew 25:21 (thematic): Parable reward formula ('Well done...faithful over a little, I will set you over much') echoes Luke's link between fidelity in stewardship and being given greater/spiritual responsibilities.
- Luke 12:33-34 (thematic): Jesus teaches to sell possessions and give to the poor so as to have treasure in heaven—connects the proper use of wealth with receiving true (heavenly) riches, the contrast at stake in 16:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- And if you have not been faithful with that which belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?
- And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?
Luke.16.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- οικετης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- δυσι: NUM,dat,pl,m
- κυριοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- δουλευειν·η: VERB,pres,act,inf
- γαρ: PART
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- μισησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- αγαπησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ενος: NUM,gen,sg,m
- ανθεξεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ετερου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- καταφρονησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δουλευειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- μαμωνα: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 6:24 (verbal): Virtually identical saying: “No one can serve two masters... you cannot serve God and mammon.” Direct verbal parallel in the Synoptic tradition.
- Matthew 6:19-21 (thematic): Teaching on treasures/heart—where one’s treasure is determines loyalty; complements the warning that one cannot serve both God and wealth (mammon).
- Romans 6:16 (thematic): Argues that presenting oneself as a slave results in exclusive service to that master (sin or obedience), echoing the principle that divided service is impossible.
- James 4:4 (thematic): “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” — a parallel concern about divided loyalties and the incompatibility of serving God while clinging to worldly attachments.
- 1 John 2:15-16 (thematic): Warns against loving the world and its desires; thematically parallels the impossibility of serving both God and the values embodied by mammon.
Alternative generated candidates
- No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
- No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
Luke.16.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ηκουον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- φιλαργυροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- υπαρχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εξεμυκτηριζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 16:13 (structural): Immediate context: Jesus’ teaching about serving two masters (God and mammon) provokes the Pharisees’ reaction; links their love of money to the preceding moral teaching.
- Matthew 6:24 (thematic): Parallel teaching that one cannot serve both God and wealth (mammon); provides the broader ethical backdrop for criticizing those who prioritize money.
- Mark 12:38-40 (thematic): Jesus warns against scribes who seek status and exploit the vulnerable, including devouring widows’ houses—an example of religious leaders’ greed similar to the Pharisees’ love of money in Luke 16:14.
- Matthew 23:25-28 (thematic): Strong denunciation of Pharisaic hypocrisy and inward corruption despite outward religiosity; echoes Luke’s depiction of Pharisees who, though religious, are marked by wrongful attachment to wealth.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and ridiculed him.
- Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they derided him.
Luke.16.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Υμεις: PRON,dat,pl,m + PRON,nom,pl,2
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δικαιουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ενωπιον: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γινωσκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμων·οτι: PRON,gen,pl;CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υψηλον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- βδελυγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (verbal): Direct parallel in theme and wording: man looks at outward appearance, but God looks at the heart—Luke's claim that God knows hearts echoes this text.
- Proverbs 16:2 (verbal): Close proverbial saying: 'All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives'—parallels Luke's critique of self‑justification.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus condemns Pharisaic hypocrisy—appearing righteous before people while inwardly corrupt—matching Luke's condemnation of those who justify themselves to men.
- Romans 2:1-3 (thematic): Paul rebukes self‑righteous judgment and hypocrisy ('you who judge'), resonating with Luke's critique of self‑justification before others while God knows the heart.
- Psalm 139:1-4 (thematic): Affirms God's intimate knowledge of human thoughts and hearts—supports Luke's assertion that God knows the hearts of those who justify themselves before people.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to them, 'You justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. What is exalted among men is an abomination before God.'
- He said to them, 'You justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination before God.'
He also said to his disciples, "There was a rich man who had a steward; and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his master's goods." And he called him and said to him, "What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward."
The steward said within himself, "What shall I do, since my master takes the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from the stewardship they may receive me into their houses."
Calling each of his master's debtors he said to the first, "How much do you owe my master?"
He said, "A hundred measures of oil." He said to him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly and write fifty."
Then he said to another, "And how much do you owe?" He said, "A hundred measures of wheat." He said to him, "Take your bill and write eighty." And the master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
One who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and one who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.
If then you have not been faithful with the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this and scoffed at him. And he said to them, "You justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God."