📖 Luke — Chapter 16 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Luke 16:1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was Ra certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
Luke 16:2 And he called him, and said unto him, RHow is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
Luke 16:3 Then the steward Rsaid within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
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.
Luke 16:5 So he called every one of Rhis lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
Luke 16:6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, RTake thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
Luke 16:7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, RAn hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
Luke 16:8 And the lord commended the Runjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, RMake to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Luke 16:10 He that is Rfaithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the Rtrue riches?
Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you Rthat which is your own?
Luke 16:13 No Rservant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, Rwho were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: Rfor that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:16 The Rlaw and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, Rthan one tittle of the law to fail.
Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Luke 16:19 There was a certain Rrich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20 And there was Ra certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21 And Rdesiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, Rthat the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 And Rin hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, RFather Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, Rremember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke 16:26 And beside all this, Rbetween us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
Luke 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, Rlest they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They Rhave Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will Rrepent.
Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, Rneither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 16:1–13 — Stewardship concerns faithful use and undivided service
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The unjust steward’s crisis and shrewd response lead to teaching about prudent provision, faithfulness in little, and responsibility with another’s goods. Jesus declares that serving God cannot be divided with serving mammon.
Key Truth: Use entrusted resources faithfully without making money your master.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain ____ man, which had a steward; and the same was accused …” (Luke 16:1)
Find it in Luke 16:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for …” (Luke 16:3)
Find it in Luke 16:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “No ____ can serve two masters: for either he will hate the …” (Luke 16:13)
Find it in Luke 16:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 16:14–18 — God’s knowledge exposes self-justification
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The covetous Pharisees deride Jesus, but he names God’s knowledge of their hearts. He speaks of the law, prophets, kingdom proclamation, the law’s enduring seriousness, and marriage faithfulness.
Key Truth: Do not mistake human approval for God’s assessment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And the ____ also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they …” (Luke 16:14)
Find it in Luke 16:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the ____ to fail.” (Luke 16:17)
Find it in Luke 16:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and …” (Luke 16:18)
Find it in Luke 16:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Luke 16:19–31 — The rich man and Lazarus confront indifference and refused Scripture
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
A rich man neglects Lazarus at his gate, and death brings reversal and a fixed separation. His appeal concerning his brothers receives the answer that they must hear Moses and the prophets rather than rely on a demanded sign.
Key Truth: Hear Scripture now and respond to suffering within your reach.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “There was a certain ____ man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and …” (Luke 16:19)
Find it in Luke 16:19 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “But Abraham said, ____ , remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good …” (Luke 16:25)
Find it in Luke 16:25 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And he ____ , Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them …” (Luke 16:30)
Find it in Luke 16:30 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Amos 6:6 — Amos also confronts comfort that remains indifferent to others’ affliction.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can the way you use resources show faithful care rather than indifference?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Luke 16:1–13 (Stewardship concerns faithful use and undivided service) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Luke 16:14–18 (God’s knowledge exposes self-justification) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Luke 16:19–31 (The rich man and Lazarus confront indifference and refused Scripture) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. Why can a servant not give undivided service to God and mammon?
5. What does the reply about Moses and the prophets reveal?
Notes
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