King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
“And the employer of this dishonest manager applauded him for acting so shrewdly! For the worldly have more sekhel than those who have received the light — in dealing with their own kind of people!
Berean Standard Bible:
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.
American Standard Version:
And his lord commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely: for the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} the lord{G2962} commended{G1867} the unjust{G93} steward{G3623}, because{G3754} he had done{G4160} wisely{G5430}: for{G3754} the children{G5207} of this{G5127} world{G165} are{G1526} in{G1519} their{G1438} generation{G1074} wiser{G5429} than{G5228} the children{G5207} of light{G5457}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Thessalonians 5:5
- Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Ephesians 5:8
- For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Luke 16:10
- He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Proverbs 6:6
- ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Proverbs 6:8
- Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.
John 12:36
- While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Luke 16:4
- I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Luke 16:8
Luke 16:8 is part of the parable of the unjust steward, a challenging and somewhat enigmatic narrative found only in the Gospel of Luke. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a wealthy man who accuses his manager of wasting his possessions. The manager, facing dismissal, cleverly negotiates with the wealthy man's debtors to reduce their debts, thereby securing for himself a network of support for when he loses his job. Unexpectedly, the wealthy man commends the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.
The historical context of this verse is set within the agrarian society of first-century Palestine, where economic relationships were often personal and based on trust and reciprocity. Managers, or stewards, were entrusted with the resources of the landowner and were expected to act faithfully. The themes present in this verse include shrewdness, wisdom, and the contrast between the "children of this world," who are adept at navigating earthly affairs, and the "children of light," who are meant to be followers of Jesus, yet may not always act with the same level of practical wisdom in worldly matters.
In the broader context of Luke's Gospel, this verse is part of Jesus' teachings on wealth and possessions, urging disciples to use worldly wealth wisely and to prepare for the coming kingdom of God. The commendation of the unjust steward's shrewdness does not endorse his dishonesty but rather highlights the need for followers of Christ to be as astute in their spiritual lives as worldly people are in pursuing their own interests. It serves as a call to use one's resources and opportunities in a way that is commendable before God, investing in the eternal rather than the temporal.
The verse challenges readers to consider how they might apply practical wisdom to their spiritual lives, suggesting that the values of the kingdom of God often stand in contrast to the values of the world. It also raises questions about the nature of forgiveness and the proper use of wealth, themes that resonate throughout the Gospel narratives.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - Strong's Number: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir. - Strong's Number: G1867
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπαινέω
Transliteration: epainéō
Pronunciation: ep-ahee-neh'-o
Description: from ἐπί and αἰνέω; to applaud:--commend, laud, praise. - Strong's Number: G93
There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδικία
Transliteration: adikía
Pronunciation: ad-ee-kee'-ah
Description: from ἄδικος; (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong. - Strong's Number: G3623
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οἰκονόμος
Transliteration: oikonómos
Pronunciation: oy-kon-om'-os
Description: from οἶκος and the base of νόμος; a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preacher (of the Gospel):--chamberlain, governor, steward. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G4160
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ποιέω
Transliteration: poiéō
Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω. - Strong's Number: G5430
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φρονίμως
Transliteration: phronímōs
Pronunciation: fron-im'-oce
Description: adverb from φρόνιμος; prudently:--wisely. - Strong's Number: G5207
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: υἱός
Transliteration: huiós
Pronunciation: hwee-os'
Description: apparently a primary word; a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship:--child, foal, son. - Strong's Number: G5127
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τούτου
Transliteration: toútou
Pronunciation: too'-too
Description: genitive case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; of (from or concerning) this (person or thing):--here(-by), him, it, + such manner of, that, thence(-forth), thereabout, this, thus. - Strong's Number: G165
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αἰών
Transliteration: aiṓn
Pronunciation: ahee-ohn'
Description: from the same as ἀεί; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world; specially (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future):--age, course, eternal, (for) ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the , while the) world (began, without end). Compare χρόνος. - Strong's Number: G1526
There are 146 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰσί
Transliteration: eisí
Pronunciation: i-see'
Description: 3rd person plural present indicative of εἰμί; they are:--agree, are, be, dure, X is, were. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G1438
There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
Transliteration: heautoû
Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves). - Strong's Number: G1074
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γενεά
Transliteration: geneá
Pronunciation: ghen-eh-ah'
Description: from (a presumed derivative of) γένος; a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons):--age, generation, nation, time. - Strong's Number: G5429
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φρόνιμος
Transliteration: phrónimos
Pronunciation: fron'-ee-mos
Description: from φρήν; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while σοφός denotes practical skill or acumen; and συνετός indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):--wise(-r). - Strong's Number: G5228
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπέρ
Transliteration: hypér
Pronunciation: hoop-er'
Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications. - Strong's Number: G5457
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φῶς
Transliteration: phōs
Pronunciation: foce
Description: from an obsolete (to shine or make manifest, especially by rays; compare φαίνω, φημί); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative):--fire, light.