Luke 16:5

KJV

So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him], and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

KJV (with Strong's)

So {G2532} he called {G4341} every {G1538} one {G1520} of his {G1438} lord's {G2962} debtors {G5533} unto him, and said {G3004} unto the first {G4413}, How much {G4214} owest thou {G3784} unto my {G3450} lord {G2962}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“So, after making appointments with each of his employer’s debtors, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my boss?’

Berean Standard Bible

And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first.

American Standard Version

And calling to him each one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:5 details the immediate and decisive action taken by the unjust steward after learning of his impending dismissal. Faced with a crisis, he quickly summons his master's debtors, beginning a shrewd scheme to manipulate their outstanding obligations. This verse sets the stage for the steward's cunning plan to secure his future by leveraging his remaining authority, highlighting his worldly wisdom and foresight in a moment of dire need.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 16:5 is an integral part of the [Parable of the Unjust Steward](/luke/16-1-13 "The Parable of the Unjust Steward"), which begins in [Luke 16:1](/luke/16-1 "Luke 16:1 - The Parable of the Unjust Steward Begins"). Prior to this verse, Jesus introduces a rich man and his steward, who is accused of squandering his master's possessions. The master demands an account, signaling the steward's imminent termination. Realizing his precarious situation—too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg—the steward devises a plan. Verse 5 marks the commencement of this plan, where he begins to call in the debtors, setting the stage for the specific actions described in the subsequent verses ([Luke 16:6-7](/luke/16-6-7 "Luke 16:6-7 - The Steward's Deals with Debtors")). The parable then culminates in Jesus' teaching on the shrewdness of worldly people versus the children of light, and the proper use of wealth, particularly in [Luke 16:8-13](/luke/16-8-13 "Luke 16:8-13 - Lessons from the Unjust Steward").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, particularly in the Roman and Hellenistic periods, large estates were common, and wealthy landowners often employed stewards to manage their affairs. These stewards (oikonomos) had significant authority, acting as agents for their masters in financial transactions, including collecting debts and negotiating agreements. The steward in this parable would have had the power to adjust the terms of the debts, as long as the master's overall interests were nominally protected or could be justified. Debt was a pervasive issue, and the system often allowed for agents to receive commissions or to act with considerable discretion. This context makes the steward's actions plausible within the societal norms, even if unethical, as he was operating within the perceived boundaries of his delegated authority to secure his own future before his authority was revoked.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the parable and Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Stewardship**, albeit through a negative example. The steward is entrusted with resources but mismanages them, prompting reflection on how believers are to manage their own resources, time, and talents for God's glory. Secondly, it highlights **Worldly Prudence and Foresight**. While the steward's actions are dishonest, his decisive and strategic planning for his future is commended by the master in [Luke 16:8](/luke/16-8 "Luke 16:8 - The Master Commends the Steward's Shrewdness"). Jesus uses this worldly shrewdness as a stark contrast to the often-lackluster spiritual foresight of believers, urging them to be equally, if not more, diligent in preparing for their eternal future. Finally, the theme of **Wealth and its Use** is central, as the parable challenges listeners to use "unrighteous mammon" to gain eternal friends, as elaborated in [Luke 16:9](/luke/16-9 "Luke 16:9 - Using Worldly Wealth for Eternal Gain").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Greek, _proskaléomai'_):** From G4341, meaning "to call toward oneself, i.e., summon, invite." This word emphasizes the steward's initiative and direct action. He doesn't wait to be dismissed; he immediately takes charge of his situation by summoning those under his influence. This highlights his proactive and strategic thinking, demonstrating a calculated move to secure his future.
* **debtors (Greek, _chreōpheilétēs'_):** From G5533, meaning "a loan-ower, i.e., indebted person." This term specifically refers to those who owe a financial obligation. The steward's target audience for his scheme is precisely those who are financially bound to his master, and thus, indirectly, to him as the master's agent. Their existing obligation forms the basis of his manipulative plan.
* **lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, meaning "supreme in authority, i.e., controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)." This word refers to the master of the estate. It underscores the steward's delegated authority and the fact that the debts are owed to the master, not the steward personally. The steward is abusing his position and the master's trust for his own gain, operating under the guise of his rightful authority until his dismissal becomes official.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him]":** This clause reveals the steward's immediate and comprehensive response to his crisis. Rather than despairing, he takes decisive action. The phrase "every one" indicates a systematic approach, suggesting he intends to deal with each debtor individually to maximize his advantage. The act of calling them "unto him" signifies his exercise of remaining authority and control over the master's affairs.
* **"and said unto the first":** This transition marks the beginning of the actual negotiation and implementation of his plan. The focus on "the first" indicates a sequential, methodical approach, implying that he will proceed through the list of debtors one by one, applying the same strategy to each. It sets up the following dialogue, which is crucial to the steward's scheme.
* **"How much owest thou unto my lord?":** This direct question serves as the opening gambit of the steward's manipulation. It is a seemingly innocuous inquiry, but it is loaded with the steward's ulterior motive. By asking about the original debt, he prepares to offer a reduction, thereby currying favor with the debtors at his master's expense, but to his own future benefit.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 16:5, and indeed the entire passage, is **Parable**. Jesus uses this narrative form to convey profound spiritual truths through a relatable, though morally ambiguous, earthly story. The steward's actions are presented as a realistic scenario, allowing Jesus to draw a parallel between worldly shrewdness and spiritual diligence. Additionally, **Dialogue** is a key device, as the verse initiates the direct conversation between the steward and the debtors, which drives the plot forward and reveals the steward's cunning. The steward's question is a direct example of this. There is also an element of **Irony** that is set up here and becomes more apparent in [Luke 16:8](/luke/16-8 "Luke 16:8 - The Master's Commendation"), where the master, despite being defrauded, commends the steward's *shrewdness* rather than his dishonesty, highlighting a surprising twist that challenges conventional moral expectations and forces the listener to consider the underlying lesson.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:5, as part of the Parable of the Unjust Steward, prompts deep theological reflection on the nature of stewardship, the use of wealth, and the urgency of preparing for eternity. The steward, though dishonest, acts with remarkable foresight and diligence in securing his earthly future. This worldly wisdom is contrasted with the often-lackluster spiritual preparedness of believers. Theologically, it challenges us to consider whether we apply the same level of intentionality, planning, and decisive action to our spiritual lives and eternal destiny as worldly individuals do to their temporal security. It underscores that all we possess—time, talents, and material resources—are ultimately entrusted to us by God, and we will be called to account for how we have managed them.

* [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "The Parable of the Talents")
* [Luke 12:42-48](/luke/12-42-48 "The Parable of the Faithful and Wise Steward")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "Stewardship Requires Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The unjust steward's actions in Luke 16:5, though ethically compromised, serve as a powerful mirror for believers. His immediate, calculated, and decisive response to an impending crisis challenges us to examine our own approach to our spiritual lives and eternal future. Are we as proactive and strategic in pursuing spiritual growth, using our resources for God's kingdom, and preparing for Christ's return or our own departure, as the steward was in securing his earthly comfort? This verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities and the intentionality with which we live. It's not about adopting the steward's dishonesty, but rather his diligence, foresight, and prompt action, channeling these qualities into faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us, for eternal purposes. We are to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves")), applying a shrewdness born of spiritual wisdom to our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I demonstrating "worldly" shrewdness or diligence that I am not applying to my spiritual growth or service to God?**
* **How does the steward's immediate and decisive action challenge my own tendencies toward procrastination or indecision in spiritual matters?**
* **If I were to face an "account" of my life's stewardship today, what actions would I take immediately to better prepare for it?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use a dishonest steward as an example for His disciples?**

Answer: Jesus often used parables with morally ambiguous or even negative characters not to endorse their unethical behavior, but to highlight a specific quality or principle. In the [Parable of the Unjust Steward](/luke/16-1-13 "The Parable of the Unjust Steward"), the steward's dishonesty is not commended. Rather, Jesus points to his *shrewdness*, *foresight*, and *decisive action* in preparing for his future ([Luke 16:8](/luke/16-8 "Luke 16:8 - The Master Commends the Steward's Shrewdness")). The lesson is that "the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the children of light." Jesus challenges His followers to apply similar diligence and intentionality to their spiritual lives and eternal destiny, using their earthly resources wisely for Kingdom purposes, as seen in [Luke 16:9](/luke/16-9 "Luke 16:9 - Using Worldly Wealth for Eternal Gain").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 16:5 describes the actions of an unjust steward, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound contrast and ultimate call to discipleship under the true Master, Jesus Christ. The steward's actions highlight humanity's inherent indebtedness, not just financially, but spiritually, to God. We are all debtors, owing a debt of sin that we could never repay, as articulated in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). However, unlike the unjust steward who manipulated debts for his own gain, Christ, our ultimate Lord and Master, paid our debt in full through His sacrificial death on the cross ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins")). He did not reduce our debt; He completely abolished it, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. Therefore, the "shrewdness" we are called to emulate is not worldly cunning, but spiritual wisdom to respond to Christ's grace by becoming faithful stewards of the "true riches" ([Luke 16:11](/luke/16-11 "Luke 16:11 - Faithful with True Riches"))—His Kingdom, His Gospel, and the spiritual gifts He entrusts to us. Our ultimate preparation for eternity is not through self-serving schemes, but through faithful service to Christ, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")), knowing that our true reward is found in Him ([Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 7:41

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

Luke 7:42

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Matthew 18:24

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.