Luke 16:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So he summoned him and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in your accounts, for you can no longer be manager.’

Berean Standard Bible:

So he called him in to ask, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in an account of your management, for you cannot be manager any longer.’

American Standard Version:

And he called him, and said unto him, What is this that I hear of thee? render the account of thy stewardship; for thou canst be no longer steward.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he called^{G5455} him^{G846}, and said^{G2036} unto him^{G846}, How^{G5101} is it that I hear^{G191} this^{G5124} of^{G4012} thee^{G4675}? give^{G591} an account^{G3056} of thy^{G4675} stewardship^{G3622}; for^{G1063} thou mayest be^{G1410} no^{G3756} longer^{G2089} steward^{G3621}.

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Commentary for Luke 16:2

Luke 16:2 is part of the parable of the unjust steward, a teaching moment in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus addresses issues of wealth, responsibility, and shrewdness in the context of stewardship. The verse is set within the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry, where he often uses parables to convey spiritual truths.

In this particular verse, the main character, a steward (or manager), is confronted by his master for reportedly wasting the master's assets. The steward's role was to manage the master's estate in his absence, a common practice in the agrarian society of the time. The steward was expected to be trustworthy and prudent with the resources entrusted to him.

The themes present in this verse include accountability, trust, and the wise management of resources. Historically, stewards in the ancient world held significant responsibility and were expected to act in the best interest of the master. The master's demand for an account reflects the expectation of faithful service and the gravity of the steward's alleged misconduct.

In the broader context of Luke's Gospel, this verse serves as an introduction to Jesus' teachings on the proper use of material wealth, highlighting the need for faithful stewardship of all the resources God entrusts to individuals, and the urgency of being found trustworthy before the final accounting. The parable challenges listeners to consider the eternal consequences of their financial decisions and the importance of using wealth wisely to serve God and others. It also sets the stage for Jesus to commend the steward's shrewd actions in the following verses, not for his dishonesty, but for his foresight and initiative in a difficult situation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5455
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φωνέω
   Transliteration: phōnéō
   Pronunciation: fo-neh'-o
   Description: from φωνή; to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation:--call (for), crow, cry.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
5. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
6. Strong's Number: G191
   There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀκούω
   Transliteration: akoúō
   Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5124
   There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τοῦτο
   Transliteration: toûto
   Pronunciation: too'-to
   Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).
   
8. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
9. Strong's Number: G4675
   There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοῦ
   Transliteration: soû
   Pronunciation: soo
   Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
   
10. Strong's Number: G591
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποδίδωμι
    Transliteration: apodídōmi
    Pronunciation: ap-od-eed'-o-mee
    Description: from ἀπό and δίδωμι; to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications):--deliver (again), give (again), (re-)pay(-ment be made), perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3622
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οἰκονομία
    Transliteration: oikonomía
    Pronunciation: oy-kon-om-ee'-ah
    Description: from οἰκονόμος; administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy":--dispensation, stewardship.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1063
    There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γάρ
    Transliteration: gár
    Pronunciation: gar
    Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1410
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμαι
    Transliteration: dýnamai
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
16. Strong's Number: G2089
    There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔτι
    Transliteration: éti
    Pronunciation: et'-ee
    Description: perhaps akin to ἔτος; "yet," still (of time or degree):--after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-)henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more(-one), now, still, yet.
    
17. Strong's Number: G3621
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οἰκονομέω
    Transliteration: oikonoméō
    Pronunciation: oy-kon-om-eh'-o
    Description: from οἰκονόμος; to manage (a house, i.e. an estate):--be steward.