Luke 16:7

KJV

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1899} said he {G2036} to another {G2087}, And {G1161} how much {G4214} owest {G3784} thou {G4771}? And {G1161} he said {G2036}, An hundred {G1540} measures {G2884} of wheat {G4621}. And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Take {G1209} thy {G4675} bill {G1121}, and {G2532} write {G1125} fourscore {G3589}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To the next he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your note back and write one for eight hundred.’

Berean Standard Bible

Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your bill and write eighty,’ he told him.

American Standard Version

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. He saith unto him, Take thy bond, and write fourscore.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:7 is a specific moment within Jesus' Parable of the Unjust Steward, where the steward, facing dismissal, strategically reduces a debtor's bill from "an hundred measures of wheat" to "fourscore." This act is part of his calculated scheme to secure future favor and provision for himself by manipulating his master's accounts, highlighting his pragmatic, albeit ethically questionable, foresight in preparing for an uncertain future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the larger Parable of the Unjust Steward, found in [Luke 16:1-13](/luke/16-1-13 "Luke 16:1-13 - The Parable of the Unjust Steward"). The parable opens with a wealthy master accusing his steward of squandering his possessions. Upon learning of his impending dismissal, the steward devises a plan to ensure he has a place to go after losing his job. His strategy involves calling in his master's debtors and significantly reducing their outstanding bills. Luke 16:7 specifically details the steward's interaction with a second debtor, following a similar reduction of an oil debt in [Luke 16:6](/luke/16-6 "Luke 16:6 - The Steward Reduces the Oil Debt"). This action is not driven by generosity but by shrewd self-interest, aiming to create obligations and goodwill among those who would benefit from his "generosity."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, stewards (οἰκονόμος, _oikonomos_) held significant responsibility, managing their master's entire estate, including finances, property, and business dealings. It was common practice for stewards to add their own commission or interest to the master's debts, which they would then collect. When the steward in the parable reduces the debts, he is likely foregoing his own commission or even part of the master's principal, effectively making the debtors beholden to him. The "measures of wheat" (κόρος, _kóros_) refer to a substantial unit of dry measure, equivalent to approximately 10-12 bushels or around 400-500 liters. "An hundred measures of wheat" was an enormous amount, representing a significant portion of a large estate's annual yield or a substantial commercial transaction. Reducing it to "fourscore" (eighty) meant a 20% reduction, a considerable favor that would certainly elicit gratitude and a sense of obligation from the debtor.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 16:7 contributes to several prominent themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Luke. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Worldly Shrewdness and Foresight**, as the steward demonstrates remarkable practical wisdom in securing his temporal future, even if through dishonest means. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Preparation for the Future**, urging believers to apply similar diligence and strategic thinking to their spiritual and eternal lives, as Jesus commends the steward's foresight, not his dishonesty, in [Luke 16:8](/luke/16-8 "Luke 16:8 - The Sons of This World Are Shrewder"). Thirdly, the verse implicitly touches on **Stewardship of Resources**, illustrating how resources (even ill-gotten influence or the master's assets) can be strategically used to achieve desired outcomes, prompting Jesus' exhortation in [Luke 16:9](/luke/16-9 "Luke 16:9 - Making Friends with Unrighteous Mammon") to use "unrighteous mammon" for eternal gain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bill (Greek, _grámma'_):** From G1121, meaning "a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning." In this context, it refers to the written document or promissory note detailing the debtor's obligation to the master. The steward's instruction to "take thy bill" implies that the debtor possessed a copy or a record of the debt, which was then to be altered.
* **write (Greek, _gráphō'_):** From G1125, meaning "to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe." This verb indicates the physical act of altering the written record of the debt. The steward's command to "write fourscore" is a direct instruction to falsify the official record, demonstrating his bold and decisive action to secure his future by manipulating the accounts.
* **measures (Greek, _kóros'_):** From G2884, referring to a "cor," a specific large measure. As discussed in the context, this unit denotes a substantial quantity, in this case, of wheat. The reduction from "an hundred measures" to "fourscore" (eighty) represents a significant 20% discount, underscoring the magnitude of the favor granted to the debtor and the steward's willingness to make a substantial impact to gain loyalty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said he to another, And how much owest thou?":** The steward, having already dealt with the oil debtor, moves on to a second individual. His question is direct and probing, initiating the process of debt reduction. This shows his methodical approach to securing multiple "friends" or benefactors for his post-employment future.
* **"And he said, An hundred measures of wheat.":** The debtor's reply specifies the commodity and the exact quantity of his original debt. The "hundred measures of wheat" signifies a very large and valuable amount, indicating the debtor's significant financial obligation and the substantial nature of the favor the steward is about to bestow.
* **"And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.":** The steward issues a clear, authoritative command. The instruction to "take thy bill" implies the debtor should retrieve his copy of the debt agreement. "Write fourscore" (eighty) is the directive to immediately alter the document, reducing the debt by twenty measures. This action is swift, decisive, and directly beneficial to the debtor, creating a strong sense of obligation towards the steward.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Unjust Steward, in which Luke 16:7 is a key moment, is an extended **Parable** that uses a worldly scenario to teach a spiritual truth. Jesus employs **Irony** by commending the steward's shrewdness and foresight, not his dishonesty. The steward, a "son of this world," acts with greater strategic planning for his temporal future than many "sons of light" do for their eternal future. The "bill" and "measures" serve as **Symbolism** for earthly resources and obligations, which, though temporal, can be leveraged for eternal purposes. The steward's actions are a hyperbolic example of using present opportunities to secure future well-being, prompting Jesus' challenge to His disciples to be equally, if not more, proactive in their spiritual stewardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:7, within the broader parable, challenges believers to consider their stewardship of earthly resources in light of eternal realities. While Jesus does not endorse the steward's dishonesty, He praises his foresight and decisive action. The core theological message is not about condoning unethical behavior, but about learning from the strategic diligence of worldly individuals. If those focused on temporal gain are so astute in managing their affairs to secure their future, how much more should followers of Christ exercise wisdom, intentionality, and generosity with their material possessions and opportunities to build up spiritual treasures and secure an eternal inheritance. It's a call to prioritize eternal values over temporal comforts, using what we have now to invest in what truly lasts.

* [Luke 16:9](/luke/16-9 "Luke 16:9 - Making Friends with Unrighteous Mammon")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:33](/luke/12-33 "Luke 12:33 - Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The shrewdness of the unjust steward in Luke 16:7 serves as a powerful, albeit counterintuitive, mirror for believers. It forces us to examine our own priorities and the intentionality with which we manage the resources God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, and finances. If a worldly man, facing a crisis, could so decisively leverage his present position to secure his earthly future, how much more should we, as "sons of light," strategically and generously use our earthly possessions and opportunities to advance God's kingdom and secure our eternal future? This verse challenges us to move beyond passive faith to active, strategic stewardship, recognizing that every resource we possess can be an instrument for eternal impact. It's a call to live with an eternal perspective, making wise choices today that will yield lasting spiritual dividends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I demonstrating less foresight and diligence for eternal matters than I do for temporal ones?**
* **How can I more intentionally use my financial resources, time, and talents to build "friends" for eternity, as implied by Jesus' teaching?**
* **What "bills" or opportunities do I have right now that, if shrewdly managed for God's glory, could have significant eternal impact?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "an hundred measures of wheat" and its reduction to "fourscore"?**

Answer: "An hundred measures of wheat" refers to 100 *koros* (Greek: κόρος), a very large unit of dry measure, equivalent to roughly 10-12 bushels per measure, totaling a substantial quantity of grain. This amount represented a significant debt, indicative of a major transaction or a large portion of a harvest. The steward's reduction of this debt to "fourscore" (80 measures) meant a 20% discount. This was a considerable favor, effectively forgiving a substantial amount of money or goods. The significance lies in the magnitude of the steward's action: he was making a significant impact on the debtor's financial burden, thereby creating a strong sense of gratitude and obligation that he hoped to leverage for his own future benefit, as further explained in [Luke 16:9](/luke/16-9 "Luke 16:9 - Making Friends with Unrighteous Mammon").

**Did Jesus condone the steward's dishonesty in this parable?**

Answer: No, Jesus explicitly does not condone the steward's dishonesty. The parable's introduction in [Luke 16:1](/luke/16-1 "Luke 16:1 - The Parable of the Unjust Steward") identifies him as "unjust." However, Jesus commends the steward's *shrewdness* and *foresight* in using his present opportunity to prepare for his future. As [Luke 16:8](/luke/16-8 "Luke 16:8 - The Sons of This World Are Shrewder") states, "the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light." The parable is an analogy, not an endorsement of unethical behavior. It challenges believers to apply similar strategic thinking, diligence, and urgency to their spiritual lives and the use of their earthly resources for eternal purposes, rather than being less wise in matters of eternal significance than worldly people are in temporal affairs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 16:7 and the Parable of the Unjust Steward do not offer a direct messianic prophecy, they powerfully illuminate principles that find their ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ. The steward's desperate, yet shrewd, attempt to secure his future by making "friends" through a reduction of debt foreshadows the ultimate, divine "debt reduction" offered through Jesus Christ. Humanity stood indebted to God, not by measures of wheat, but by the immeasurable weight of sin. Christ, through His sacrificial death, paid the debt we could not pay, offering a complete and eternal forgiveness that secures our future, not just for a few years, but for eternity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Shows His Love For Us")). He is the true steward who, out of boundless love and wisdom, reconciled us to God, transforming us from enemies into "friends" and co-heirs ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciled Us to Himself")). Our response to this ultimate act of grace is to live with the same urgency and intentionality that the steward displayed, but directed towards God's kingdom. We are called to be wise stewards of the "unrighteous mammon" and all our resources, not to secure our own earthly future, but to honor the One who secured our eternal future, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")) and laying up treasures in heaven where Christ Himself resides ([Colossians 3:1-2](/colossians/3-1-2 "Colossians 3:1-2 - Set Your Minds on Things Above")).

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 20:9

¶ Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

Luke 20:12

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out.

Song Of Solomon 8:11

Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand [pieces] of silver.

Song Of Solomon 8:12

My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.